Equity trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange continued on a bearish note yesterday, as more investors sold their holdings to take profit from the gains recorded in the previous days.
Losses recorded in blue chips companies dragged the All-Share index down by 0.17 per cent to close at 23,129.82 points, compared to the decline by 0.91 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 23,169.24 points.
Market capitalisation shed N12.5 billion to close at N7.36 trillion, lower than the decline by N67.4 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N7.37 trillion.
Custodian Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with seven kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N1.49 per share, followed by Portland Paints Plc with 12 kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at N2.61 per share.
Ikeja Hotel Plc gained five kobo or 4.42 per cent to close at N1.18 per share, while UTC Plc rose by two kobo or 3.77 per cent to close at 55 kobo per share. NAHCO Plc closed at N5.90 per share, up by 20 kobo or 3.51 per cent.
On the flip side, Eterna Oil Plc lost 13 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N2.52 per share, while International Breweries Plc lost 29 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N5.69 per share.
Dangote Sugar Plc depreciated by 23 kobo or 4.84 per cent to close at N4.52 per share, while Presco Plc dropped by 74 kobo or 4.81 per cent to close at N14.65 per share. Oando Plc declined by 72 kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N14.40 per share.
Financial services sector led equities transaction volume with 368.06 million shares valued at N2.07 billion exchanged in 2,583 deals, as against 203.81 million shares worth N1.66 billion traded in 2,459 deals the preceding day.