Nigerian Stock Market Bleeds Amid Political Tension

July 25, 2018

By Dipo Olowookere

Trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ended on a negative note on Wednesday as investors continue to react to the political tension in the country as more politicians from the ruling party continue to cross over to the opposition party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

At the close of transactions yesterday, the equity market depreciated further by 0.30 percent with the year-to-date returns closing at -4.96 percent.

Business Post reports that the All-Share Index (ASI) decreased by 108.44 points to close at 36,346.80 points, while the market capitalisation reduced by N39 billion to settle at N13.167 trillion.

Similarly, the volume of shares transacted by investors on Wednesday depreciated by 12.89 percent, while the value of equities decreased by 17.46 percent.

A total of 329.9 million shares were transacted yesterday in 4,327 deals worth N3.7 billion in contrast to the 378.7 million shares valued at N4.4 billion the previous day.

FBN Holdings emerged as the most active stock during the day’s session, trading 88.1 million equities valued at N820 million.

United Bank for Africa followed with a total of 51.7 million shares sold for N482 million, while Access Bank traded 39.2 million shares worth N394.17 million.

Zenith Bank exchanged 20.4 million equities valued at N473.3 million, while Diamond Bank sold 18 million shares worth N22.8 million.

At the wrap of business on the floor of the stock exchange, the Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 280.1 million shares exchanged for N2.6 billion with the Conglomerates sector following with 16.1 million equities sold for N30 million.

An analysis of the price movement chart showed that Forte Oil recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ table, dropping by N2.10k of its share value to close at N23.10k per share.

Lafarge Africa came second with a loss of N1.75k to close at N27.50k per share, while Dangote Sugar went down by N1.50k to close at N15.50k per share.

Flour Mills decreased by N1 to settle at N28.70k per share, while Nigerian Breweries also reduced by N1 to close at N104.50k per share.

On the flip side, Beta Glass, unlike on Tuesday when it topped the laggards’ chart, led the gainers’ table on Wednesday, increasing by N5.10k to close at N78 per share.

It was followed by Unilever of Nigeria, which increased by 45 kobo to close at N52.55k per share, while Cutix improved by 36 kobo to close at N3.99k per share.

United Bank for Africa rose by 35 kobo to close at N9.50k per share, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) grew by 20 kobo to close at N26.20k per share.

Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan.

Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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