Investors Trade N12bn Financial Stocks in Five Days

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A total of 1.7 billion shares worth N25.4 billion were traded in 23,650 deals last week on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as against the 1.8 billion equities worth N25.8 billion transacted the previous week in 31,665 deals.

It was observed that stocks in the financial services industry accounted for 1.2 billion units valued at N12.1 billion traded in 13,534 deals, contributing 72.00 per cent and 47.45 per cent to the total trading volume and value respectively.

Shares in the consumer goods sector trailed with 102.4 million units worth N3.6 billion traded in 3,511 deals, while equities in the natural resources space traded 86.6 million units for N17.5 million in 28deals.

A further breakdown showed that Access Bank, FBN Holding and Zenith Bank were the most active stocks with 475.8 million units traded for N6.1 billion in 4,900 deals, contributing 28.41 per cent and 24.16 per cent to the total trading volume and value respectively.

Business Post reports that a total of 22 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 27 equities in the previous week, while 45 stocks depreciated in price, higher than 43 shares of the previous week, with shares of 94 companies closing flat, higher than 91 recorded a week earlier.

On the gainers’ chart, Tripple Gee topped with a price appreciation of 20.00 per cent to finish at 66 kobo per share. Airtel Africa gained 19.63 per cent to close at N640.00 per share, FTN Cocoa Processors appreciated by 16.00 per cent to settle at 29 kobo per share, Cutix gained 11.76 per cent to close at N1.90 per share, while AIICO Insurance gained 10.00 per cent to end at N1.10 per share.

On the losers’ chart, Northern Nigerian Flour Mills topped with a price depreciation of 18.70 per cent to close at N6.26 per cent, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance lost 16.13 per cent to close at 26 kobo per share, Royal Exchange depreciated by 15.38 per cent to end at 22 kobo per share, Unity Bank declined by 14.67 per cent to finish at 64 kobo per share, while Learn Africa dropped 13.04 per cent to settle at N1.00 per share.

In the week, the All-Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation appreciated by 0.72 per cent and 0.75 per cent to close at 35,137.99 points and N18.365 trillion respectively.

However, all other indices finished lower with the exception of the NSE main board, insurance, NSE ASeM and the oil/gas index, which appreciated by 2.61 per cent, 1.56 per cent, 0.19 per cent and 1.71 per cent respectively.