By Dipo Olowookere
Last week, the trio of Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc, Universal Insurance Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc dominated the activity chart of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, accounting for 1.213 billion shares worth N2.322 billion in 1,095 deals, contributing 50.35 per cent and 10.50 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
In the week, which had four trading sessions due to the public holiday on Monday to mark the Independence Day celebration, investors traded 2.410 billion shares worth N22.115 billion in 27,965 deals versus the 1.339 billion shares valued at N17.916 billion transacted a week earlier in 27,874 deals.
It was observed that financial stocks led the activity chart with 1.261 billion units valued at N9.660 billion in 12,897 deals, contributing 52.31 per cent and 43.68 per cent to the total trading volume and value apiece.
Healthcare equities followed with 667.197 million units worth N1.092 billion in 437 deals, while energy shares occupied the third place with 162.005 million units sold for N1.778 billion in 2,612 deals.
Business Post reports that 40 equities appreciated in price during the week compared with 25 equities in the previous week, while 36 stocks depreciated in price versus 47 stocks in the previous week, with 79 shares closing flat versus 83 shares a week earlier.
FTN Cocoa was the best-performing stock after it added 19.21 per cent to its value to trade at N1.80, RT Briscoe gained 16.33 per cent to sell at 57 Kobo, Oando improved by 14.65 to close at N9.00, Africa Prudential rose by 11.90 per cent to N7.05, and Thomas Wyatt increased by 11.46 per cent to N2.14.
Conversely, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance was the worst-performing stock after it shed 19.05 per cent to quote at N1.02, ABC Transport lost 17.72 per cent to finish at 65 Kobo, UPDC REIT dropped 10.26 per cent to settle at N3.50, Champion Breweries declined by 9.87 per cent to N3.38, and Chellarams slumped by 9.84 per cent to N3.48.
In the week, the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.11 per cent and 0.49 per cent to 66,454.57 points and N36.510 trillion, respectively.
Apart from the NGX CG, NGX Premium, insurance, Lotus ll, industrial goods, Growth and sovereign bond indices, which fell by 0.23 per cent, 4.90 per cent, 3.11 per cent, 0.60 per cent, 1.38 per cent, 1.55 per cent and 0.02 per cent apiece, all other indices closed higher, while the ASeM and the energy indices closed flat.
