By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange closed in the negative territory at the last trading session of the week on Friday by 0.33 per cent.
It was the first time the market was closing bearish this week and this drowning of the unlisted securities market yesterday was caused by a decline in the equity price of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. The price of Friesland went down by 6.7 per cent or N8 to settle at N120.00 per share in contrast to N128.00 per share of the last session.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the exchange dropped N2.04 billion to close the day at N617.59 billion in contrast to N619.63 billion it finished on Thursday.
In the same vein, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) depreciated by 2.47 points to wrap the session at 747.53 points compared with 750.00 points of the previous session.
Despite the loss recorded yesterday, two securities closed in the positive region led by Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc, which rose by N1.15 or 6.4 per cent to close at N17.95 per unit versus the previous N16.80 per unit.
Also, NASD Plc appreciated during the session by 5 kobo or 0.37 per cent to quote at N13.70 per share as against the N13.65 per share it traded at the preceding session.
At the market on Friday, a total of 292,000 units of securities were transacted by investors in contrast to the 209,300 units of securities transacted at the previous session, indicating a rise of 6.1 per cent.
Equally, the value of shares exchanged by the market participants went up by 14.7 per cent to N4.9 million from N4.3 million recorded at the previous session.
These transactions were carried out in five deals, 16.7 per cent lower than the six deals carried out at the preceding session.
Food Concepts Plc was the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) as it has traded 11.4 billion units of its shares for N14.4 billion. Lighthouse Financial Services Plc occupied the second spot as it has traded 1.1 billion valued at N546.1 million, while Geo Fluids Plc took third place with 1.0 billion units worth N700 million.
In terms of value, Food Concepts Plc also topped the chart with 11.4 million units traded for N14.4 billion, Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc remained in the second spot with 456.4 million units valued at N9.2 billion, while VFD Group Plc maintained the third spot with 10.4 million units valued at N3.5 billion.
Modupe Gbadeyanka