NSE down by N186bn as investors stick to profit-taking

The equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by N168 billion over investors profit-taking in blue chips companies.

The market closed last week at N12.951 billion, 1.42 per cent below N13.137 billion it opened for trading, while the All-Share Index depreciated by 0.99 per cent to close the week at 24,826.75 basis points from 25,182.67 basis points.

Last week trading marks it second weekly decline in three weeks, as investors dumped  Dangote Cement (-6.5 per cent), MTN Nigeria (-1.6 per cent) and NB (-9.5 per cent) shares.

Consequently, the equities market Year-Till-Date and Month-Till-Date (losses increased to -1.7per cent and -7.5per cent, respectively.

All other indices finished lower with the exception of NSE-Main Board, NSE MERI Growth, NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Lotus II and NSE Industrial Goods Indices which appreciated by 1.00 per cent,1.42 per cent, 1.81 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 2.24 per cent respectively, while NSE ASeM closed flat.

A total of 14 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 34 equities in the previous week as 47 equities depreciated in price, higher than 31 in the previous week, while 102 equities remained unchanged, lower than 98 recorded in the previous week.

According to NSE  weekly report, “A turnover of 1.050 billion shares worth N10.125 billion in 19,576 deals were traded in the week by investors on the floor of the NSE, in contrast to a total of 1.103 billion shares valued at N9.876 billion that exchanged hands last week in 16,616 deals.

“As usual, the Financial Services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 736.274 million shares valued at N5.472 billion traded in 9,776 deals; thus contributing 70.13 per cent and 54.04 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

“The Conglomerates Industry followed with 69.496 million shares worth N334.478 million in 471 deals. The third place was the Consumer Goods industry, with a turnover of 66.380 million shares worth N1.351 billion in 3,130 deals.

“Trading in the top three equities namely Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and FCMB Group Plc. (measured by volume) accounted for 316.321 million shares worth N3.350 billion in 2,983 deals, contributing.”

The report explained that a total of 121,769 units of ETPs valued at N675.284 million were traded this week in 22 deals, compared with a total of 767,768 units valued at N5.607 billion transacted last week in 17 deals.

“A total of 11,920 units of Bonds valued at N12.265 million were traded this week in 18 deals compared with a total of 1,002 units valued at N971, 140.42 transacted last week in 9 deals,” the report added.

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“In our opinion, risks remain on the horizon due to a combination of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and weak economic conditions.

“ Thus, we continue to advise investors to trade cautiously and seek trading opportunities in only fundamentally justified stocks,”  Cordros Research analysts explained.