Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
While many Nigerians are lamenting over the negative impact of the announcement of President Bola Tinubu on the removal of petrol subsidy last Monday, some shareholders of Conoil and other fuel distribution companies on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited are smiling to the bank.
The effect of the declaration that “subsidy is gone” is still being felt, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to commence a nationwide strike action from this Wednesday.
But on the stock exchange, the announcement has triggered the demand for shares of Conoil, MRS Oil, Oando and other oil equities.
Last week, which had four trading sessions, Conoil stocks grew by 45.78 per cent to N69.90 per unit as the buying pressure continued. Investors are buying because they believe that the fuel subsidy removal will allow the firm to deliver more profits in the coming years.
Business Post reports that Conoil topped the gainers’ chart of 66 members, higher than 60 equities in
the previous week, with Eterna trailing after it rose by 32.14 per cent to N9.25. Jaiz Bank appreciated by 30.00 per cent to N1.30, MRS Oil improved by 20.83 per cent to N49.30, and Neimeth gained 20.14 per cent to trade at N1.67.
The losers’ table was with 23 stocks last week, higher than 21 stocks a week earlier, with Tantalizers leading with a 16.00 per cent decline to close at 21 Kobo. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance fell by 11.48 per cent to 54 Kobo, Prestige Assurance dropped 8.89 per cent to 41 Kobo, NPF Microfinance Bank declined by 8.85 per cent to N1.75, and Champion Breweries decreased by 7.42 per cent to N3.87.
It was observed that last week, investors were impressed with the policy directions of Mr Tinubu, resulting in the bourse growing by 5.3 per cent on a week-on-week basis, leaving the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation closing higher at 55,820.50 points and N30.395 trillion, respectively.
Similarly, all other indices finished higher except the Growth index, which fell by 0.18 per cent, while the ASeM and sovereign bond indices closed flat.
The market was very busy last week, with traders transacting 2.586 billion shares worth N46.643 billion in 35,122 deals compared with 1.963 billion shares valued at N33.899 billion traded in the previous week in 30,827 deals.
Financial equities were the toast of investors. They accounted for 73.10 per cent and 49.40 per cent of the total trading volume and value, respectively, after selling 1.890 billion units valued at N23.041 billion in 17,806 deals.
Conglomerates stocks trailed with 170.218 million units worth N638.188 million in 1,830 deals, while consumer goods shares posted a turnover of 132.432 million units valued at N3.837 billion in 4,938 deals.
Access Holdings, UBA and FBN Holdings were the most active stocks in the week, accounting for 915.908 million units worth N10.916 billion in 6,575 deals to contribute 35.42 per cent and 23.40 per cent to the total trading volume and value apiece.
