Nigeria’s equities market closed the week on a cautious note, with key performance indicators slipping slightly amid a notable decline in trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange.
Data from the Exchange’s weekly report showed that investors traded a total of 3.95 billion shares valued at N201.31 billion across 359,642 deals over five sessions. This represents a significant drop from the previous week’s turnover of 8.76 billion shares worth N267.25 billion, albeit executed in fewer deals at 193,473.
Market performance also trended downward, as the All-Share Index (ASI) dipped by 0.12 percent to close at 200,913.06 points. In tandem, market capitalisation declined to N128.96 trillion, reflecting the overall bearish sentiment that defined the week.
Activity across sectors remained largely concentrated in financial stocks, with the financial services industry dominating the trading chart. The sector recorded 2.88 billion shares valued at N102.25 billion in 139,093 deals, accounting for 72.94 percent of total volume and 50.80 percent of total value traded.
The ICT sector followed distantly, posting 230.53 million shares worth N45.17 billion in 52,669 deals, while the agriculture sector ranked third with 191.92 million shares valued at N6.62 billion in 16,471 deals.
At the individual stock level, trading activity was heavily skewed toward tier-one banking names. Wema Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc emerged as the most actively traded equities by volume. Collectively, the trio accounted for 1.44 billion shares worth N43.19 billion in 28,436 deals, contributing 36.65 percent of total volume and 21.45 percent of total value traded during the week.
On the gainers’ chart, Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc led the pack with a 60.72 percent appreciation, closing at N13.79 from N8.58. Premier Paints Plc followed closely, gaining 60.26 percent to settle at N37.50.
Other notable advancers included John Holt Plc, which rose by 59.92 percent, Legend Internet Plc with a 25 percent gain, and McNichols Plc, which advanced by 20.65 percent.
Conversely, the losers’ table was topped by Livestock Feeds Plc, which declined by 11.73 percent to close at N7.15. Fidson Healthcare Plc also recorded a significant drop of 9.97 percent, while Cadbury Nigeria Plc shed 9.94 percent.
Further declines were recorded by Austin Laz & Company Plc, which fell by 9.89 percent, and Learn Africa Plc, down by 9.09 percent.
Overall, the week’s performance underscores a cooling in market momentum, with reduced trading volumes and mild index depreciation suggesting cautious investor sentiment. Market watchers will be monitoring whether this trend persists or gives way to renewed buying interest in the coming sessions.