Customs Street further depleted by 0.49 per cent on Wednesday as a result of sustained profit-taking in the financial services industry.
Data showed that the insurance space lost 2.29 per cent, and the banking counter depreciated by 1.04 per cent. However, the energy index gained 0.03 per cent, and the consumer goods segment grew by 0.01 per cent, while the industrial goods sector remained unchanged.
When the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited closed for business at 4 pm yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) was down by 1,182.08 points to 240,802.72 points from 241,984.80 points, and the market capitalisation decreased by N759 billion to N154.445 trillion from N155.204 trillion.
Business Post reports that the market breadth index was negative after finishing with 13 price gainers and 51 price losers, indicating weak investor sentiment as a result of the sell-offs.
Geregu Power lost 10.00 per cent to trade at N1,019.30, Okomu Oil declined by 9.97 per cent to N1,418.00, Red Star Express shed 9.95 per cent to close at N27.60, International Energy Insurance dropped 9.90 per cent to quote at N5.19, and Legend Internet slipped by 9.48 per cent to N5.25.
Conversely, Neimeth gained 9.47 per cent to settle at N9.25, Cornerstone Insurance appreciated by 9.26 per cent to N5.90, SUNU Assurances expanded by 3.91 per cent to N3.72, UPDC grew by 2.82 per cent to N3.65, and GTCO chalked up 2.38 per cent to close at N129.00.
A total of 663.0 million equities valued at N40.0 billion exchanged hands in 51,143 deals during the session compared with the 535.5 million equities worth N36.8 billion traded in 55,123 deals a day earlier, representing a shortfall in the number of deals by 7.22 per cent, and a surge in the trading volume and value by 23.81 per cent and 8.70 per cent, respectively.
Yesterday, Access Holdings led the activity chart after transacting 130.3 million shares for N3.1 billion, Jaiz Bank traded 114.9 million stocks valued at N1.1 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 31.1 million equities worth N237.2 million, International Breweries sold 22.1 million shares for N247.6 million, and Linkage Assurance traded 17.0 million stocks for N27.7 million.
