The Nigerian Exchange recorded a decline in market capitalisation at the close of trading on Thursday, as the All-Share Index dropped marginally by 0.05 per cent.
The total market capitalisation fell to N65.8tn, reflecting a weaker investor sentiment in the equities market.
Also, a total of 310,527,528 shares were exchanged in 10,182 deals, amounting to a market value of N6.24bn. This represents a sharp 77 per cent decline in trade volume, a 50 per cent drop in turnover, and a 15 per cent decline in the number of deals compared to the previous trading session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Out of the 124 stocks that participated in trading, 14 recorded gains, while 28 equities closed in the red. Computer Warehouse Group emerged as the top gainer, appreciating by 9.64 per cent to close at N9.10 per share. It was followed by Veritas Kapital Assurance, which gained 8.41 per cent to close at N1.16; Deap Capital Management & Trust, which rose by 7.61 per cent to close at N0.99; and Wapic Insurance, which appreciated by 4.26 per cent to close at N2.45 per share.
On the losing side, Livestock Feeds led the laggards, shedding 9.57 per cent to close at N7.65 per share. Royal Exchange followed with an 8.24 per cent decline, closing at N0.78, while Custodian & Allied lost 6.98 per cent to close at N20.00. UPDC also suffered a 6.23 per cent drop to close at N2.86, while Chams Plc and Ellah Lakes Plc recorded losses of 5.16 per cent and 4.46 per cent, respectively, closing at N2.02 and N3.00 per share.
Fidelity Bank recorded the highest volume of traded shares, 40 million units, followed by Veritas Kapital Assurance, 37.2 million shares. Nigerian Breweries and Zenith Bank also featured among the most active stocks, trading at 27 million and 22.9 million shares, respectively.
Other key indices showed mixed performances, with the Top 30 Index losing 0.02 per cent, recording a one-week decline of 1.16 per cent but a year-to-date gain of 2.04 per cent. The Consumer Goods Index appreciated by 0.39 per cent but suffered a 1.01 per cent decline over the week. However, it maintained a year-to-date gain of 4.53 per cent. The Insurance Index gained 0.13 per cent but recorded a weekly decline of 1.9 per cent and a year-to-date loss of 4.04 per cent. The Main Board Index inched up by 0.02 per cent but dropped by 1.37 per cent over the week, despite maintaining a year-to-date gain of 0.73 per cent.
Additionally, the Industrial Index remained unchanged but reflected a weekly loss of 3.42 per cent and a year-to-date decline of 2.31 per cent and the Oil & Gas Index also remained flat but showed a one-week decline of 1.75 per cent and a year-to-date loss of 8.27 per cent.
The PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Exchange extended its losing streak on Wednesday, shedding N289bn in market value as bearish sentiments persisted for the third consecutive trading session.
