Negative sentiments persisted on the equities sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday, as more blue-chip stocks joined the league of losers, causing investors’ fortune to dip further by N313 billion.
The All Share Index (ASI) fell by 574.59 absolute points, representing a decrease of 1.04 per cent to close at 54,915.61 points. Accordingly, investors lost N313 billion in value as market capitalisation declined to N29.916 trillion.
The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria, United Capital and Dangote Sugar Refinery.
On market outlook, analysts at GTI Securities said, “Investors continue to pick safe stocks ahead of election uncertainties. We expect this negative performance to persist in the absence of any other catalyst.”
Market breadth remained negative as 25 stocks lost relative to eight gainers. Chams Holding Company recorded the highest price gain of 8.70 per cent to close at 25 kobo, per share. University Press followed with a gain of 7.57 per cent to close at N1.99, while LivingTrust Mortgage Bank gained 3.37 per cent to close at N3.07, per share.
Sterling Bank appreciated by 2.67 per cent to close at N1.54, while Zenith Bank rose by 2.52 per cent to close at N24.45, per share. Oando gained 2.24 per cent to close at N4.10 kobo while Honeywell Flourmills shed 1.35 per cent to close at N2.25 kobo. Jaiz Bank also garnered 1.14 per cent to close at 89 kobo.
On the other hand, ETI led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N10.80, per share. Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.32 per cent each to close at N7.30, while Royal Exchange lost 8.22 per cent to close at 67 kobo, per share.
R.T. Briscoe Nigeria shed 7.69 per cent to close at 24 kobo, while International Energy Insurance shed 6.92 per cent to close at N1.21, per share. United Capital shed 5.13 per cent to close at N11.10 kobo. Cutix depreciated by 5.12 per cent to close at N2.04 kobo. MTN Nigeria dropped 4.95 per cent to close at N236. Access Corp shed 4.44 per cent to close at N8.60 kobo.
TransNational Corporation depreciated by 4.44 per cent to close at N1.29 kobo. Caverton lost 3.85 per cent to close at N1. Dangote Sugar Refinery shed 2.89 per cent to close at N18.45 kobo. FBN Holdings declined by 2.73 per cent to close at N10.70 kobo. Fidelity Bank also dropped 2.72 per cent to close at N5.01 kobo.
Meanwhile the total volume of trades decreased by 24.23 per cent to 137.287 million units, valued at N1.510 billion, and exchanged in 3,489 deals. Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) topped the activity chart with 26.085 million shares valued at N33.979 million.
Zenith Bank followed with 14.721 million shares worth N353.890 million, while Sterling Bank traded 13.231 million shares valued at N20.019 million.
United Bank of Africa (UBA) traded 10.242 million shares valued at N81.385 million, while Access Holdings transacted 7.626 million shares worth N66.201 million.
