By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded a significant decline in trading activity for the week, as total transaction value fell by 32.75 per cent, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
A total turnover of 3.950 billion shares valued at N201.312 billion was traded in 359,642 deals during the week, compared to 8.761 billion shares worth N267.253 billion exchanged in 193,473 deals in the previous week.
Analysis of trading data showed that the Financial Services Industry dominated market activity, accounting for 2.881 billion shares valued at N102.259 billion in 139,093 deals.
This represented 72.94 per cent of the total volume and 50.80 per cent of the total value traded.
The ICT sector followed with 230.539 million shares worth N45.172 billion traded in 52,669 deals, while the Agriculture Industry ranked third with 191.927 million shares valued at N6.626 billion in 16,471 transactions.
Further breakdown revealed that trading in Wema Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc accounted for 1.448 billion shares worth N43.191 billion in 28,436 deals.
This contributed 36.65 per cent of total volume and 21.45 per cent of total value traded during the week.
Market performance remained largely subdued, as the NGX All-Share Index and market capitalisation dipped by 0.12 per cent to close at 200,913.06 points and N128.969 trillion respectively.
The report indicated that most sectoral indices closed lower, reflecting mixed sentiment across the market.
However, gains were recorded in key indices including NGX Main Board, Insurance, AFR Dividend Yield, Oil and Gas, Lotus II, Growth, and Commodity indices, which rose between 1.36 per cent and 2.77 per cent.
Meanwhile, the NGX Sovereign Bond Index closed flat, indicating stability in the fixed income segment.
Market breadth showed a marginal shift, with 47 equities recording price appreciation, slightly lower than 48 in the previous week. On the downside, 45 equities declined, up from 43 previously, while 56 equities remained unchanged.
Among the laggards were Livestock Feeds Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Austinlaz & Company Plc, and Learn Africa Plc, which recorded notable price declines.
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On the gainers’ chart, Zichis Agro Allied Industries Ltd, Premier Paints Plc, John Holt Plc, Legend Internet Plc, and McNichols Plc led the pack with significant price gains.
Overall, the week’s performance reflects a cautious market environment, with declining transaction value and mixed sectoral outcomes pointing to continued investor sensitivity to economic and market signals.
