The Nigerian Exchange Limited continued its bearish trend on Thursday, as the benchmark All-Share Index dipped by 0.05 per cent, closing at 102,788.20.
Despite the minor decline, the market posted a weekly gain of 0.59 per cent and a 4-week gain of 1.41 per cent. However, the year-to-date performance remained slightly negative, with a 0.13 per cent loss.
The market capitalisation of the NGX currently stands at N63.1tn, with 123 listed equities participating in Thursday’s trading session, which ended with 28 gainers and 28 losers.
According to the analysis by Punch newspaper on Friday, SCOA Nigeria emerged as the top gainer, appreciating by 9.76 per cent to close at N3.60 per share, followed by Daar Communications (+9.09 per cent), May & Baker Nigeria (+8.43 per cent), and Prestige Assurance Company (+6.82 per cent).
On the flip side, Morison Industries recorded the highest loss, declining by 9.98 per cent to close at N3.61 per share. Other notable losers included C&I Leasing (-9.91 per cent), Ikeja Hotel (-8.89 per cent), and Neimeth International Pharma (-8.51 per cent).
At the close of trading, a total of 390,357,501 shares valued at N21.44 bn were traded across 12,159 deals, reflecting a 45 per cent improvement in turnover and a 13 per cent increase in the number of deals compared to the previous trading day.
In terms of sector performance, the Banking Index posted the most impressive gain, increasing by 1.04 per cent, followed by the Pension Index, which grew by 0.28 per cent. Other indices, including the Top 30 Index, Premium Index, and Industrial Index, showed mixed results.
The highest volume of trades was recorded by Guaranty Trust Holding, with 42.1 million shares traded, followed by United Bank for Africa (37.4 million), Zenith Bank (25.2 million), and Access Holdings (24.3 million).
GIK/APA