By Dipo Olowookere
One billion shares worth N14.6 (N15) billion exchanged hands in 14,974 deals on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week in contrast to a total of 952.7 million shares valued at N12.774 billion transacted the previous week in 17,279 deals.
Business Post gathered shares of Union Diagnostics and Clinical Services Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc accounted for 379.1 million shares worth N3.1 billion in 1,704 deals, contributing 36.30 percent and 20.96 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
During the week, investors were more interested in financial stocks, contributing 53.33 percent and 38.81 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. A total of 556.9 million shares in the sector valued at N5.678 billion were traded in 8,267 deals in the week.
The Healthcare industry followed with 215.0 million equities worth N122.6 million in 412 deals, while the third place was occupied by the conglomerates industry with a turnover of 89.6 million shares worth N466.3 million in 874 deals.
A total of 18 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 19 stocks in the previous week, while 44 shares depreciated in price, higher than 35 equities in the previous week, with 103 equities remaining unchanged, lower than 111 equities recorded in the preceding week.
Presco was the best performing stock, rising by 14.93 percent to close at N43.50 per unit, while Dangote Sugar followed with a 10.33 percent growth to finish at N16.55 per share.
Axa Mansard Insurance grew by 9.09 percent to end at N1.80 per unit, AG Leventis Nigeria improved by 8.33 percent to close at 39 kobo per share, while Eterna appreciated by 7.14 percent to settle at N3.00 per share.
On the other hand, the worst performing stock in the week was Chams. The stock price depreciated by 18.92 percent to finish at 30 kobo per unit.
Union Diagnostic fell by 15.38 percent to end at 22 kobo per share, GlaxoSmithKline declined by 12.50 percent to settle at N5.25 per share, Cutix dropped 11.69 percent to finish at N1.36 per unit, while Daar Communications depleted by 10.00 percent to trade at 36 kobo per share.
A look at the overall performance of the nation’s stock market last week showed that the All-Share Index (NSE) and the market capitalisation depreciated by 1.19 percent to close 26,536.21 points and N12.808 trillion respectively.
All other indices finished lower with the exception of NSE Pension, NSE Insurance, NSE-AFR Div Yield, NSE MERI Value and NSE Oil & Gas indices which appreciated by 0.02 percent, 0.03 percent, 2.09 percent, 2.06 percent and 0.03 percent respectively.
Adedapo Adesanya