In short
- The market is divided into segments, by company size and profile.
- The central market brings all orders together in the book.
- The block market hosts large trades between investors.
- A segment does not say whether a share is good or bad.
The segments
The Casablanca Stock Exchange’s official page shows Principal segments, from A to F, and Alternative segments, from A to C. A company’s classification can change.
According to Médias24, the threshold separating Principal A and B is a market cap of 5 billion dirhams, measured on an average of prices. Five stocks joined Principal A in January 2026 on this basis. As for recent IPOs, Jet Energy is aiming for the Principal F segment.
What the segment changes
- Entry conditions: size, age and documents required vary by segment.
- Information: the rules are set by regulation and by the type of company.
- Reading the market: small companies often trade less, but this is not an absolute rule.
Central market or block market
| Central market | Block market | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Orders meet in the book | A large negotiated trade |
| Participants | All investors, through their intermediary | Mainly large investors |
| Reading | Shows regular activity | May reflect a single deal |
A real session example
According to Boursenews, on October 26, 2026, total volume reached 729 million dirhams, including 401 million on the block market, all on Attijariwafa bank. The central market therefore made up the rest, or 328 million dirhams. Without this detail, a reader might think the whole market was very active that day.
Look at the market concerned, the number of stocks involved and the average of previous days. Our guide to reading stock prices explains this data.
Frequently asked questions
Can an individual trade on the block market?
This market is for large quantities set by regulation. Your brokerage firm can tell you what applies.
Where can I find a company’s segment?
On the Casablanca Stock Exchange website and in the company’s documents.
Sources
This article is for information and educational purposes only. It is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investing in shares involves a risk of capital loss. Check figures against official sources (Casablanca Stock Exchange, AMMC) and consult a licensed professional. Read the full disclaimer.
