Investors lose N387 billion in three trading days

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) sustained losses for the third consecutive session, yesterday, as investors’ fortunes declined by N387 billion in three trading days.

Market capitalisation of listed equities, which reopened for trading on Monday at N55, 574 trillion dipped by N387 billion or 0.7 per cent to close at N55.188 trillion.

Also, the all-share index (ASI) declined by 681.31 points to close at 97,199.6 points from 97,880.94. Yesterday’s market negative performance was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are Oando, Nigerian Breweries, Cutix, NEM Insurance and Academy Press.

On market performance outlook, Afrinvest Limited said: “We anticipate the market to extend the bearish performance as the market remains short of positive triggers.”

Vetiva Dealings and Brokerage said: “We expect the market to trade mixed, as investors’ focus shifts to the latest macroeconomic data.” Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, closed negative as 22 stocks advanced, while 25 declined.

Guinea Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 44 kobo, while R.T. Briscoe Nigeria and Honeywell Flour Mills followed with a gain of 9.87 per cent each to close at N1.67 and N4.12 respectively.

Secure Electronic Technology appreciated by 7.14 per cent to close at 45 kobo, while Linkage Assurance rose by 7.06 per cent to close at 91 kobo, per share. On the other hand, Oando led the losers’ chart by 9.95 per cent to close at N36.2. Cutix followed with a decline of 9.92 per cent to close at N5.36, while Academy Press lost 8.7 per cent to close at N2.73 kobo.

Japaul Gold & Ventures declined by 7.89 per cent to close at N2.1, while Red Star Express declined by 6.98 per cent to close at N4. The total volume traded advanced by 47.38 per cent to 315.302 million units, valued at N5.48 billion, and exchanged in 8,365 deals. Transactions in the shares of Veritas Kapital Assurance topped the activity chart with 38.419 million shares valued at N48.596 million.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) followed with 36.329 million shares worth N1.654 billion, while Universal Insurance traded 23.195 million shares valued at N7.028 million. Oando traded 22.074 million shares valued at N805.109 million, while FBN Holdings (FBNH) transacted 20.283 million shares worth N454.887 million.