Stock market investors lose N2.2trn as profit-taking persists

The Nigerian stock market closed on a bearish note on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as investors lost N2.280 trillion in market value.

Continued profit-taking in large- and mid-capitalised stocks such as WAPCO, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries, Learn Africa, John Holt, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, and 39 other stocks dragged the equities market into negative territory.

Market capitalisation declined by N2.280 trillion, or 1.44 per cent, to close at N155.939 trillion from N158.219 trillion recorded in the previous session.

The All-Share Index also fell by 3,554.05 points, or 1.44 per cent, to 243,132.61 from 246,686.66 posted on Tuesday.

The market’s Year-to-Date (YTD) return moderated to 56.24 per cent, while the market breadth closed negative, recording 44 losers against 15 gainers.

WAPCO led the losers’ chart by 9.97 per cent, closing at N307.90, Zichis Agro Allied Industries trailed by 9.82 per cent, settling at N29.20, while John Holt and Lafarge dipped by 9.80 per cent each, ending the session at N13.80 and N11.50 per share respectively.

Consolidated Hallmark lost by 8.84 per cent, finishing at N6.19 per share.

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On the other hand, Abbey Mortgage Bank led the gainers’ chart by 9.93 per cent, settling at N7.75, International Energy Insurance followed by 9.89 per cent, finishing at N6, and Triple Gee gained by 9.80 per cent, closing at N4.37 per share.

Universal Insurance advanced by 8.91 per cent, ending the session at N1.10, while Royal Exchange increased by 7.14 per cent, closing at N1.50 per share.

Meanwhile, market activity improved during the trading session, with total volume traded rising by 28.42 per cent to 922.97 million shares valued at N42.27 billion across 69,332 transactions.

Sterling Nigeria led the volume chart with 264.59 million shares, accounting for 28.67 per cent of total volume traded.

MTN Nigeria topped the value chart with transactions worth N17.61 billion, representing 41.67 per cent of the day’s total turnover.