Nigerian Equities Close Weaker as Large Cap Stocks Prices Decline

By Dipo Olowookere

The first trading day of the week started on a weaker note on Monday with the All Share Index (ASI) depreciating by 0.26 percent and the Year-to-Date (YtD) return dropping to 12.59 percent.

Also, the market capitalisation went down by N105.2 billion to close at N15.403 trillion.

This was as a result of price depreciation suffered by large cap stocks traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Business Post reports that the market breadth finished negative today as there were 19 price gainers against 33 price losers.

Unilever emerged the biggest price loser on Monday, declining by N1.40k to settle at N60.80k per share.

It was followed by Nestle Nigeria, which fell by N1 to close at N1380 per share, and NASCON, which slumped by 90k to finish at N23 per share.

Cadbury Nigeria depreciated by 80k to end at N17.60k per share, while UBA went down by 60k to finish at N12.30k per share.

On the flip side, Total Nigeria topped the gainers’ chart after adding N4.10k to settle at N246.10k per share.

Dangote Sugar gained 85k to finish at N23.35k per share, while Nigerian Breweries went up by 50k to end at N130 per share.

UAC of Nigeria appreciated by 45k to settle at N17.95k per share, while Ecobank grew by 20k to close at N20 per share.

It was observed that at the close of business transactions today, the volume and value of trades contracted by 45.90 percent and 46.37 percent respectively.

A total of 831.4 million shares exchanged hands today in 5,651 deals worth N10.6 billion compared with 1.5 billion equities traded in the last trading session on Friday in 4,599 deals valued at N19.7 billion.

First Bank attracted the most attention from investors on Monday, transacting a total of 425.6 million units worth N5.3 billion.

It was followed by Zenith Bank, which sold 79 million shares for N2.5 billion, and Japaul Oil, which traded 64.8 million equities valued at N64 million.

Regency Alliance Insurance sold 41.6 million shares for N13.8 million, while UnityKapital Assurance exchanged 24.5 million shares valued at N7.7 million.