Stock Investors Gained N500 Billion as Equities Market Return to Profit

Investors in the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) realised N500 billion last week as demand for undervalued stocks bolstered the Exchange.

In the four days trading week, the federal government declared the 15th public holiday to commemorate Easter celebrations, investors exchanged 1.247 billion shares worth N22.372 billion in 23,406 deals, in contrast to a total of 1.137 billion shares valued at N10.812 billion that exchanged hands in 23,471 deals in the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 975.776 million shares valued at N10.678 billion traded in 13,097 deals, therefore contributing 78.24% and 47.73% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 65.187 million shares worth N1.752 billion in 2,725 deals. In third place was the Services Industry, with a turnover of 42.614 million shares worth 135.745 million in
1,172 deals.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc were the three most traded equities last week, accounting for a combined 429.657 million shares worth N7.786 billion in 5,871 deals. The three contributed 34.45% and 34.80% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The NGX All-Share Index appreciated 1.99% or 926.99 index points from 46,631.46 index points in the previous week to 47,558.45 index points last week. While market capitalization also grew by 1.99% to close the week at N25.639 trillion, representing an increase of N500 billion.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of NGX Asem, NGX Growth and Sovereign Bond indices which closed flat.

Fifty-one equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than Thirty-three equities in the previous week. Eighteen equities depreciated in price, lower than Thirty-one equities in the previous week, while eighty-seven equities remained unchanged lower than ninety-two equities recorded in the previous week.

The Exchange year-to-date return inched higher to 11.34%. See the details of gainers and losers below.