NGX investors trade N157.7bn shares as market cap drops to N154.5trn in one week

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded a turnover of 6.242 billion shares valued at N157.764 billion in 186,496 deals in the past week.

This represented a decline from the 12.153 billion shares worth N176.058 billion traded in 224,146 deals in the previous week.

Three insurance equities accounted for 4.168 billion shares valued at N9.249 billion in 1,660 deals on the Exchange during the week under review.

The equities, Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc, and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc were among the most actively traded stocks during the period.

In the preceding week, Fortis Global Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings led trading activity, accounting for 9.488 billion shares worth N36.219 billion in 1,781 deals.

Transaction value fell by 10.39 per cent, while trading volume declined by 48.64 per cent.

The Financial Services Industry dominated trading activity, accounting for 5.594 billion shares valued at N56.431 billion in 82,300 deals.

The sector contributed 89.62 per cent and 35.77 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

The ICT Industry followed with 143.704 million shares worth N29.793 billion traded in 23,740 deals, while the Services Industry recorded 138.672 million shares valued at N1.751 billion in 11,438 deals.

The market, however, closed the week on a negative note, with the NGX All-Share Index declining by 1.35 per cent to 239,351.16 points.

Similarly, market capitalisation fell by 1.33 per cent to N154.534 trillion.

All sectoral indices closed lower, except the NGX Consumer Goods Index, which appreciated by 0.05 per cent, while the NGX Sovereign Bond Index remained unchanged.

Market breadth also weakened, with 18 equities appreciating in price, compared with 26 recorded in the previous week.

59 equities depreciated, unchanged from the preceding week, while 70 equities remained unchanged, compared with 62 in the previous week.

Yobe produces 10m livestock yearly — Buni

International Energy Insurance, Fortis Global Insurance, Royal Exchange, Red Star Express, and UPDC emerged as the top five losers, declining by N1.45, 63k, 22k, N3.30, and 40k, respectively.

On the gainers’ chart, Haldane McCall, Trans-Nationwide Express, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Cadbury Nigeria, and UAC of Nigeria recorded the highest price increases, gaining 94k, 46k, N3.35, N2.90, and N7.85, respectively.

Meanwhile, the NGX notified trading licence holders that additional shares of existing Federal Government bonds issued in July 2026 were listed on the Exchange on August 18.

The Exchange also listed an additional 15 billion ordinary shares of 50k each belonging to Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc on the Daily Official List on Thursday, Aug. 20.

However, trading in the shares of Universal Insurance Plc was suspended on the NGX effective Thursday, Aug. 20.

The suspension followed the revocation of the company’s operational licence by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for failing to meet the capital requirement for its category of licence.

NAICOM subsequently appointed a liquidator to take over the assets of the company.