Investors in the equities market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited saw an N18.05bn weekly loss at the end of trading on Friday as 49 firms’ share prices closed lower.
The NGX All-Share Index depreciated by 0.12 per cent to close the week at 43,199.27 from 43,253.01 the previous week while market capitalisation dropped to N22.55tn from N22.57tn.
All other indices finished lower with the exception of NGX-Main Board and NGX Sovereign Bond indices, which appreciated by 0.41 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively, while the NGX ASeM and NGX Growth Indices closed flat.
A total turnover of 1.39 billion shares worth N27.89bn in 19,990 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the NGX, in contrast to a total of 1.47 billion shares worth N20.94bn that exchanged hands in 20,410 deals during the previous week.
The financial services industry, measured by volume, led the activity chart with 1.08 billion shares valued at N11.58bn traded in 11,612 deals, thus contributing 77.72 per cent and 41.52 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
The consumer goods industry followed with 105.8 million shares worth N11.83bn in 2,657 deals.
It was followed by the conglomerates industry, with a turnover of 56.136 million shares worth N73.69m in 575 deals.
Trading in the top three equities, namely FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and Sterling Bank Plc, measured by volume, accounted for 638.32 million shares worth N8.54bn in 4,116 deals, contributing 45.85 per cent and 30.63 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
Fifteen equities appreciated in price during the week as against 27 in the previous week; 49 equities fell as against 36 in the previous week, while 92 equities remained unchanged, compared to 93 in the previous week.
The top five gainers for the week were Vitafoam Nigeria Plc (17.11 per cent), E-Tranzact International Plc (10 per cent), Prestige Assurance Plc (9.3 per cent), Academy Press Plc (9.09 per cent), and Cornerstone Insurance Plc (7.69 per cent).
– Punch