The Nigerian Exchange recorded a 10.4 per cent drop in the value of shares traded in the week ended August 21, with investors exchanging N157.76 billion for 6.24 billion shares across 186,496 deals.
According to the NGX weekly report, the value of transactions declined from N176.06 billion recorded for 12.15 billion shares in 224,146 deals the previous week.
Market Indices Retreat
Both the All-Share Index and market capitalisation closed lower. The index fell 1.35 per cent to 239,351.16 points, while market capitalisation declined 1.33 per cent to N154.53 trillion.
Sector Leadership
The financial services industry dominated trading activity, accounting for 5.59 billion shares worth N56.43 billion in 82,300 deals. That represented 89.62 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 35.77 per cent of the total value traded.
The ICT sector followed with 143.70 million shares valued at N29.79 billion in 23,740 deals. The services industry recorded a turnover of 138.67 million shares worth N1.75 billion across 11,438 deals.
Most Active Stocks
Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc were the three most traded equities by volume. Together they accounted for 4.17 billion shares valued at N9.25 billion in 1,660 deals, representing 66.77 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 5.86 per cent of the total value.
Price Leaders and Laggards
Haldane McCall Plc topped the gainers’ list after its share price rose 32.30 per cent from N2.91 to N3.85. Trans-Nationwide Express Plc advanced 16.20 per cent from N2.84 to N3.30. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc gained 5.19 per cent to close at N67.90 from N64.55. Cadbury Nigeria Plc rose 4.68 per cent to N64.90 from N62, while UACN Plc increased 4.62 per cent from N170 to N177.85.
On the downside, International Energy Insurance Plc recorded the steepest decline, falling 27.26 per cent from N5.32 to N3.87. Fortis Global Insurance Plc dropped 23.95 per cent from N2.63 to N2. Royal Exchange Plc lost 18.49 per cent, closing at N0.97 from N1.19. Red Star Express Plc declined 18.33 per cent to N14.70 from N18, and UPDC Plc fell 10.67 per cent from N3.75 to N3.35.
