Domestic Bourse Rebounds by 0.23% Amid Low Turnover

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited appreciated by 0.23 per cent on Wednesday after it closed in the red territory in the preceding trading session.

The 0.94 per cent, 0.39 per cent, and 0.04 per cent gains posted by the industrial goods, the banking and the insurance sectors, respectively, supported the growth recorded by the domestic bourse in the midweek session.

They helped to offset the 0.14 per cent loss printed by the consumer goods counter as the energy space closed flat.

At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 127.29 points to 54,427.05 points from 54,299.76 points, as the market capitalisation grew by N69 billion to N29.645 trillion from N29.576 trillion.

The turnover for yesterday’s trading session was low as investors transacted 151.6 million stocks worth N1.8 billion in 2,974 deals compared with 200.0 million stocks worth N7.6 billion traded in 4,380 deals on Tuesday, indicating a decline in the trading volume, value and the number of deals by 24.20 per cent, 76.32 per cent, and 32.10 per cent apiece.

Universal Insurance ended the day as the most active stock after it traded 20.0 million, followed by Transcorp, which exchanged 18.7 million units, GTCO with 17.0 million units, Sterling Bank with 15.6 million units, and UBA with 7.7 million units.

Business Post reports that investor sentiment was weak yesterday after the stock exchange closed with 23 price losers and 11 price gainers, indicating a negative market breadth.

Tripple Gee gained 9.52 per cent to sell at N1.15, International Energy Insurance rose by 9.40 per cent to N1.28, Japaul grew by 3.45 per cent to 30 Kobo, Axa Mansard increased by 2.50 per cent to N2.05, and Africa Prudential improved by 2.46 per cent to N6.25.

On the flip side, Trans Nationwide Express lost 9.76 per cent to trade at 74 Kobo, Transcorp fell by 7.35 per cent to N1.26, Courteville depreciated by 6.00 per cent to 47 Kobo, Prestige Assurance lost 4.76 per cent to finish at 40 Kobo, and UPDC REIT shrank by 4.41 per cent to N3.25.