By Dipo Olowookere
Last week, on the floor of the local exchange, the volume of transactions increased by 35.29 per cent to 2.3 billion units from 1.7 billion units as a result of interests in stocks in the banking sector.
The market witnessed this rise in the number of traded equities despite the recent decline due to the absence of triggers to propel a buying pressure, though the release of the audited 2020 earnings of GTBank and the completion of the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) spurred bargain hunting in two of the five-day trading week.
Business Post observed that despite the increase in the trading volume, the value of the investment in domestic stocks reduced by 17.87 per cent as shares worth N19.3 billion exchanged hands in 20,173 deals during the week compared with the N23.5 billion equities transacted in 21,732 deals the preceding week.
Trading in Unity Bank, GTBank and Multiverse Mining and Exploration accounted for 1.5 billion shares worth N7.1 billion in 2,317 deals, contributing 62.82 per cent and 36.91 per cent to the total trading volume and value respectively.
At the close of business, financial stocks led the activity log by volume with the sale of 1.9 billion shares valued at N12.5 billion in 12,019 deals, accounting for 80.60 per cent and 64.58 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
Equities in the natural resources industry recorded 201.3 million units worth N41.295 million in 27 deals, while stocks in the conglomerate sector traded 62.1 million units valued at N65.7 million in 612 deals.
According to data from the exchange, 33 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 35 equities in the previous week, while 25 equities depreciated in price, lower than 38 equities in the previous week, with 104 equities closing flat, higher than 89 equities recorded in the preceding week.
Eterna was the biggest price riser as its share price improved by 20.78 per cent to N5.58 and was trailed by SFS REIT, which grew by 9.94 per cent to N68.60.
Northern Nigerian Flour Mills gained 9.73 per cent to close at N6.20, Unity Bank appreciated by 9.09 per cent to trade at 72 kobo, while Smart Products Nigeria rose by 8.33 per cent to 26 kobo.
On the flip side, Neimeth topped the losers’ log after its share price went down by 14.83 per cent to N1.78 and was followed by Africa Prudential, which fell by 10.08 per cent to N5.35.
NCR Nigeria depreciated by 9.71 per cent to N2.79, Linkage Assurance declined by 9.09 per cent to 50 kobo, while Lasaco Assurance dropped 6.92 per cent to N1.21.
When the market closed for the week last Friday, the All-Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation reduced by 0.69 per cent to 38,382.39 points and N20.082 trillion respectively.
However, all other indices finished higher with the exception of the NSE mainboard, NSE 30, insurance, consumer goods, NSE Lotus II, industrial and growth indices, which declined by 1.68 per cent, 0.99 per cent, 0.01 per cent, 1.46 per cent, 1.51 per cent, 2.62 per cent and 0.25 per cent while the sovereign bond index closed flat.
Adedapo Adesanya