PZ, NEM, John Holt Lead N17bn Market Loss

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, NEM Insurance Company Nigeria Plc and John Holt Plc emerged as the top three losers at the close of trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Monday, slashing market capitalisation by N17bn.

The NSE All-Share Index also dropped by 0.24 per cent, opening the week on a negative note following mixed performances across key sectors.

The NSE market capitalisation slid to N9.517tn from N9.534tn recorded on Friday last week.

A total of 195.024 million shares valued at N1.57bn exchanged hands in 3,221 deals.

Global markets traded higher following a rally in oil prices and as disappointing United States non-farm payroll data for August lowered expectations of a potential interest rate hike by the US Fed in September.

At the NSE, the industrial goods sector extended its downward trend amid continuous sell pressure in Dangote Cement Plc, which recorded a drop of 0.57 per cent. Consumer goods reversed previous session’s gains following losses in large capitalized firms like PZ (4.97 per cent loss) and Nigerian Breweries Plc (0.71 per cent loss).

Conversely, the financial services and the oil and gas sectors extended their positive run on the back of gains in Zenith bank Plc (1.01 per cent gain), United Bank for Africa (3.69 per cent gain), Diamond Bank Plc (4.46 per cent gain) and Oando Plc (2.10 per cent gain).

Market breadth turned negative with 13 advances and 21 declines.

To this end, analysts at Vetiva Capital Management Limited, said, “Notwithstanding some few periods of gains, the NSE ASI traded under water for most part of the trading session. Coupled with the mixed closing positions across key sectors, we expect market to remain volatile in the sessions ahead.”

Other losers at the close of trading were AIICO Insurance Plc, United Capital Plc, Unity Bank Plc, International Breweries Plc, Academy Press Plc, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc, FBN Holding Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Champion Breweries Plc, among others.

The top three gainers were May and baker Nigeria Plc, Cutix Plc and Diamond Bank Plc.