(NAIROBI, KENYA) – Car and General shares rallied by 31.3 percent during trading on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on Thursday. The diversified dealer more than tripled its interim dividend payout.
The firm’s shares touched a high of KES 285 each during the day before closing at KES 242.25 per share. This marked an 11.2 percent gain from the opening price of KES 217. The Nairobi Securities Exchange allowed the share change to exceed the intraday limit of 10 percent because trading followed a material disclosure. The company raised its interim dividend to KES 1 per share from KES 0.30 per share the previous year. The dividend came on the back of a fourfold profit rise. The closing share price is equal to about $1.50 or £1.18. The opening price is equal to about $1.34 or £1.06. The dividend is equal to about 0.62 US cents or 0.49 British pence per share.
Car and General share price has grown tenfold in the last 12 months. This makes it one of the stocks with the sharpest price rallies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange lately. One share of the diversified dealer was retailing at KES 24.75 per unit a year ago. This is equal to about 15 US cents or 12 British pence. The company was valued at KES 1.98 billion before the rally. This is equal to about $12.2 million or £9.6 million. The current market capitalisation is KES 19.4 billion, equal to about $120 million or £94 million.
The company posted a profit after tax of KES 2.6 billion for the half year ended June. This is up from KES 637 million in the same period a year ago. The latest profit is equal to about $16.1 million or £12.7 million. The earlier profit is equal to about $3.9 million or £3.1 million. The rise was propelled by mobile phone financing.
The firm has five different business lines. These include automotive and equipment distribution, property investment, financial services, poultry and helmet manufacturing. The half year earnings surpassed the full year earnings of KES 2.44 billion reported in 2025. The full year figure is equal to about $15.1 million or £11.9 million.
Car and General said profit after tax was KES 2.6 billion compared with KES 637 million in the previous period. The company said it has been a positive period for operations throughout the region.
Profits from associate Watu increased significantly. The growth was driven by mobile phone financing and good performance in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Africa and Sierra Leone. Car and General share of profit from Watu jumped to KES 2 billion from KES 422 million in the half year of 2025. The latest figure is equal to about $12.4 million or £9.7 million. The earlier figure is equal to about $2.6 million or £2.1 million. Watu sells mobile phones on hire purchase in different African markets. The regional expansion saw Watu extend its footprint to Rwanda and South Africa during the year.
Car and General revenues grew 30 percent. Kenya recorded the fastest growth at 40 percent. The company cited the sale of boda bodas as a major contributor. Kenya motorcycle sales grew to an average of 12,000 units per month in 2026, up from 7,000 units per month in 2025. The company said this represents a significant opportunity going forward.
Operating expenses rose 24.5 percent to KES 1.64 billion. This is equal to about $10.1 million or £8 million. The increase signals the rise in operations to drive revenues. The company reported that its helmet subsidiary Boda Plus is now profitable. Boda Plus exports to Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Car and General said it would deepen its investment in two wheeler and three wheeler electric vehicles. Uptake is on the rise in Kenya and Tanzania. The company said its financing capabilities give it confidence that it can drive the transition to cleaner energy in the two wheeler and three wheeler markets across the continent.
The firm has observed a conservative dividend policy. It retained 88.8 percent of its profit last year. Management said the company needs to increase volumes. Despite the low dividend, investors have continued to buy the company’s shares, resulting in the rally. Car and General also has real estate holdings including the Nairobi Mega Mall on Uhuru Highway and 22.5 acres in Shanzu.
Car and General: Half Year Performance and Share Price Movement
| Metric | Half Year 2026 | Half Year 2025 | Change (%) | Full Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit After Tax | KES 2.6 billion ($16.1 million / £12.7 million) | KES 637 million ($3.9 million / £3.1 million) | +308% | KES 2.44 billion ($15.1 million / £11.9 million) |
| Share of Profit from Watu | KES 2 billion ($12.4 million / £9.7 million) | KES 422 million ($2.6 million / £2.1 million) | +374% | NA |
| Interim Dividend Per Share | KES 1.00 (0.62 US cents / 0.49 pence) | KES 0.30 (0.19 US cents / 0.15 pence) | +233% | NA |
| Revenue Growth | 30% overall | NA | NA | NA |
| Kenya Revenue Growth | 40% | NA | NA | NA |
| Operating Expenses | KES 1.64 billion ($10.1 million / £8 million) | NA | +24.5% | NA |
| Kenya Motorcycle Sales (Monthly Average) | 12,000 units | 7,000 units | +71.4% | NA |
Share Price Performance
| Metric | 14 August 2026 | 14 August 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Price | KES 217.00 ($1.34 / £1.06) | NA | NA |
| Intraday High | KES 285.00 ($1.76 / £1.39) | NA | NA |
| Closing Price | KES 242.25 ($1.50 / £1.18) | KES 24.75 ($0.15 / £0.12) | +879% |
| Market Capitalisation | KES 19.4 billion ($120 million / £94 million) | KES 1.98 billion ($12.2 million / £9.6 million) | +880% |
| Daily Gain | 11.2% | NA | NA |