Equities market depreciates by N61bn 

The equities market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited  (NGX) on Thursday reversed the three-day winning streak with a decline of N61 billion as Okomu Oil Plc and 30 others drove the market’s weak performance.

The All Share Index (ASI) declined by 112.69 basis points or 0.19 per cent to close at 59,211.26 basis points. Also, market capitalisation lost N61 billion to close at N32.241 trillion.

Meanwhile, market breadth remained positive, as 34 stocks gained relative to 31 losers. NEM Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N6.93 per share.

Cornerstone Insurance followed with a gain of 9.90 per cent to close at N1.11, while Skyway Aviation Handling Company rose by 9.74 per cent to close at N8.45 per share.

Wapic Insurance went up by 9.30 per cent to close at 94 kobo, while Africa Prudential appreciated by 9.09 per cent to close at N6.6, per share.

On the other hand, Lasaco Assurance led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, to close at N2.34 per share. Sovereign Trust Insurance followed with a decline of 9.84 per cent to close at 55 kobo, while Unity Bank declined by 9.63 per cent to close at N1.22 per share.

Secure Electronic Technology depreciated by 9.52 per cent to close at 38 kobo, while Ikeja Hotel declined by 9.06 per cent to close at N2.91 per share.

The total volume traded decreased by 4.22 per cent to 615.912 million units, valued at N6.620 billion, and exchanged in 7,459 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Wapic Insurance topped the activity chart with 97.145 million shares valued at N91.258 million. United Bank of Africa (UBA) followed with 48.106 million shares worth N546.632 million, while Universal Insurance traded 43.410 million shares valued at N9.627 million.

GTCO traded 34.604 million shares valued at N1.098 billion, while Access Holdings sold 32.871 million shares worth N487.212 million.