The stock market on Thursday closed on a negative note as investors lost N1.92 trillion following sell-offs in banking and cement stocks.

This came amid reactions to new regulatory guidelines by the Central Bank of Nigeria on foreign subsidiaries of banks.

Market capitalisation dropped from N155.780 trillion to N153.858 trillion, representing a decline of 1.23 per cent or N1.922 trillion.

The All-Share Index (ASI) also fell by 1.23 per cent or 2,994.90 points to close at 239,734.61, from 242,729.51 recorded previously.

The Year-to-Date (YTD) return moderated to 54.82 per cent.

Speaking on the development, an investment banker and stockbroker, Mr Tajudeen Olayinka, attributed the decline to investors’ reaction to the new CBN directive on foreign subsidiaries of banks.

According to him, the guideline compels banks operating in foreign countries to limit investments in foreign subsidiaries to 10 per cent of their equity capital or shareholders’ funds.

Olayinka told the News Agency of Nigeria that the apex bank also directed banks currently above the threshold to begin divestment from such subsidiaries.

“The drop in the ASI and market capitalisation came from market reactions to the new CBN guideline that compels banks operating in foreign countries to limit their investment in foreign subsidiaries to 10 per cent of their equity capital or shareholders’ funds.

“The market’s immediate interpretation is that the CBN is effectively integrating revenues and other reserves of banks operating in foreign countries into their existing regulatory capital.

“This will limit their corporate payout capabilities or make future payouts dependent on growth trajectories,” he said.

Olayinka explained that the development triggered heavy repricing of international banking stocks, which subsequently affected other highly capitalised equities, particularly cement companies.

“So, prices of many of the international banks came down heavily by way of repricing.

“This was followed by declines in prices of highly capitalised listed companies like cement,” he said.

He, however, described the development as temporary, explaining that the affected banks remain fundamentally strong and undervalued.

“I think the development is temporary, as the affected banks are already well capitalised and largely undervalued.

“Therefore, the upside potentials for the banks are very high, suggesting that anyone selling off banking stocks at this time might actually be throwing away good money.

“This is because the industry is now very strong and highly regulated. The liquidity hasn’t gone away,” Olayinka said.

Meanwhile, the market breadth closed positive, recording 42 gainers against 30 losers.

CAP and FTN Cocoa Processors led the gainers’ chart with 9.99 per cent each, closing at N212.50 and N8.04 per share, respectively.

Berger Paints, Zichis Agro Allied Industries and Meyer declined by 9.97 per cent each, settling at N98.75, N30.33 and N17.10 per share.

Conversely, University Press led the losers’ chart with 10 per cent, closing at N4.50. Red Star Express trailed with 9.59 per cent, ending the session at N25.45, while Skyway Aviation Handling Company dipped by 8.63 per cent, closing at N130.75 per share.

Also, Cileasing shed 8.50 per cent, settling at N7, and Consolidated Hallmark lost 7.54 per cent, closing at N6.01 per share.

Market activity improved for the day, as total traded volume rose by 29.34 per cent to 1.83 billion shares worth N72.17 billion, exchanged in 81,131 deals.

NEM Insurance recorded the highest traded volume with 360.56 million shares, accounting for 19.70 per cent of the day’s total volume.

Seplat Energy led in value terms with transactions worth N12.98 billion, representing 17.99 per cent of the total value traded. (NAN)