Once again, the equities segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a negative note on Thursday with the key market indicators declining. The NSE All-Share Index fell by 1.18 per cent or 402.31 basis points from 33.868.72 basis points to 33,466.41 basis points.
Also down was the market capitalisation of the listed equities, which shed N85bn or 0.74 per cent to close at N11.423tn, down from N11.508tn.
All market indices fell on Thursday with the exception of the NSE Industrial Index, which gained 0.23 per cent to close at 2,235.89 basis points, and the NSE Alternative Securities Market Index that closed flat at 1,215.52 basis points.
The banking sub-sector led the activity chart, accounting for 40.1 per cent of total equity turnover (volume) traded. In the sub-sector, investors exchanged 82.533 million shares valued at N959.4m in 1,459 deals. Volume in the sub-sector was driven by trading in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc.
A total of 205.758 million equities worth N2.157bn were traded in 4,160 deals on Thursday with 19 shares appreciating in value and 37 stocks depreciating in value.
Berger Paints Nigeria Plc was the top gainer for the day, rising by 6.80 per cent or 70 kobo to close at N11 per share.
It was followed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, which rose by five per cent or N2.50 to close at N52.50 per share, while Beta Glass Plc was up by 4.98 per cent or N2.09 to close at N44.05 per share.
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Okomu Oil Plc rose by 4.94 per cent and 4.83 per cent to close at N35.69 and N30.40 per share.
Jos International Breweries Plc topped the losers after it shed 4.92 per cent or nine kobo to close at N1.74 per share.
Eterna Plc and Fidson Healthcare Plc dipped by 4.83 per cent and 4.80 per cent to close at N2.76 and N3.37 per share, respectively.
Also among the losers were Continental Insurance Plc and Airline Services and Logistics Plc, which fell by 4.76 per cent and 4.70 per cent to close at N1 and N2.23 per share.
Zenith Bank Plc was also down by 4.70 per cent or 95 kobo to close at N19.25 per share.
By Dike Onwuamaeze
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