By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange turned red on Thursday after it closed 0.65 per cent lower following the losses posted by three companies.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc led the losers’ chart yesterday after its price went down by 95 kobo or 0.8 per cent to close at N121.05 per share in contrast to the previous day’s N122 per share.
It was followed by Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc, which depreciated by 70 kobo or 4.4 per cent to sell for N15.77 per unit in contrast to N16.47 per unit of Wednesday.
Also, Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc fell by 40 kobo or 2.6 per cent to close the session at N15.60 per share in contrast to N16 per share it traded at the previous session.
The losses printed by the trio sliced the market capitalisation of the bourse by N4.11 billion to N633.29 billion from N637.40 billion and scrapped the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 4.74 points to 728.61 points from 733.35 points.
This was because the 42 kobo or 9.1 per cent gain reported by NASD Plc could not salvage the market. The share price of the company ended at N4.64 per unit compared to N4.22 per unit it closed at the midweek session.
At the session, there was a significant increase in the volume of securities traded at the bourse by 330.8 per cent as investors exchanged 5.1 million units compared to the previous trading day’s 1.2 million units of securities.
Also, the value of transactions rose by 45,327.7 per cent to N1.0 billion from N18.8 million, while the number of deals jerked up by 87.5 per cent to 30 deals from the preceding session’s 16 deals.
Like in the previous days, Geo Fluids Plc closed the session as the top company with the highest volume of traded shares on a year-to-date basis with 1.0 billion units valued at N700.1 billion. NGX Group Plc followed with 424.3 million units worth N8.8 billion, while Food Concepts Plc held the third position with 295.2 million units valued at N386.1 million.
But in terms of value, NGX Group Plc remained on top with 424.3 million units worth N8.8 billion. It is followed by VFD Group Plc with 9.4 million units valued at N3.1 million, while Friesland Plc held the third position with 8.3 million units worth 1.0 billion.
Modupe Gbadeyanka