Investors lose N4 billion as NGX reopens bearish

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) sustained a sliding profile at the reopening of transactions, yesterday, as many blue-chip stocks, especially Niger Insurance and AIICO depreciated in price, resulting in a further decline in market capitalisation by N4 billion.

The All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 6.00 per cent, representing a decrease of 0.01 per cent, to close at 47,262.61 points. Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value lost N3 billion to close at N25.472 trillion.

The market’s negative performance was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks, which are: Seplat Energy, Africa Prudential, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN), NASCON Allied Industries (NASCON) and Unilever Nigeria.

On market outlook, analysts at GTI Securities Limited said: “Trading activities began the week on a negative note, bringing about four consecutive days of losses. Bulls are expected to return to the market given the spate of corporate actions, we anticipate improved market activity to encourage a bullish response next week.”

Vetiva Dealings and Brokerage said: “We saw increased activity in high dividend yield stocks today especially in the banking sector, amid positioning in names like UBA and Zenith Bank. We expect similar trade patterns to filter into tomorrow, as investors continue to trade in line with corporate disclosures.”

However, market sentiment, as measured by market breadth, was positive as 19 stocks declined, while 18 recorded price appreciation. Cornerstone Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 9.38 per cent to close at 70 kobo.

Wapic Insurance followed with a gain of 8.70 per cent to close at 50 kobo, while FTN Cocoa processors rose by 8.33 per cent to close at 39 kobo. Honeywell Flour Mills rose by 5.14 per cent to close at N3.89 kobo. Mutual Benefits Assurance appreciated by four per cent to close at 26 kobo.

On the other hand, Niger Insurance led the losers’ chart by 8.70 per cent to close at 21 kobo, per share. AIICO Insurance followed with a decline of 5.71 per cent to close at 66 kobo, while Linkage Assurance depreciated by 5.17 per cent to close at 55 kobo.

Regency Alliance Insurance declined by 4.76 per cent to close at 40 kobo, while Africa Prudential depreciated by 4.41 per cent to close at N6.50, per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume of trades rose by 62.8 per cent to 291.882 million units, valued at N2.855 billion, and exchanged in 4,792 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 72.458 million shares valued at N57.254 million.

Access Bank followed with 23.059 million shares worth N236.413 million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 19.995 million shares valued at N169.141 million.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 15.869 million shares valued at N16.954 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) transacted 15.347 million shares worth N399.011 million.