Equities Market Extends Losses on Negative Sentiments

• Equities Market Extends Losses on Negative Sentiments

The Nigerian equities market extended its weekly depreciation to sixth consecutive week as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI), fell by 0.8 per cent to close at 25,333.39 last week.

Daily Market Performance   Summary

Trading resumed on negative note as  the NSE ASI fell by 0.15 per cent to close at 25,499.00. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of FBN Holdings, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Dangote Sugar, Mobil   Oil and Stanbic IBTC Holdings were responsible for the decline in NSE ASI. Total value of stocks traded on the floors on Monday was N858.54 million, down by 3.34 per cent from N888.17 million the previous day.

Performance across sectors was broadly bearish with only the NSE Industrial Goods Index gaining marginally. The  NSE Insurance Index led sector decliners, falling by  0.6 per cent on account of losses in Continental Reinsurance Plc (-4.8 per cent) and NEM  Insurance (-1.4 per cent). Similarly,  the NSE  Oil & Gas Index closed 0.36 per cent lower as a result of  profit taking in Mobil Oil  (-2.6 per cent) and Total Nigeria Plc(-2.5 per cent). The NSE Banking Index shed 0.6 per cent to close in the red on the back of weak appetite for ETI (-2.0 per cent), Stanbic IBTC (-1.9 per cent) and Zenith Bank (-0.2 per cent). Losses in Dangote Sugar (-4.9 per cent) and International Breweries (-1.5 per cent) depressed the NSE Consumer Goods Index by 0.1 per cent.

The negative sentiments continued to drive the market down on Tuesday, causing the market the NSE ASI to hit a seven-month low. Specifically, the NSE ASI fell by 0.15 per cent to close at 25,461.34, increasing the month-to-date and year-to-date decline to 6.46 per cent and 11.47 per cent respectively.

Tuesday’s decline resulted from heavy sell offs across oil and gas sector. For instance, Forte Oil Plc fell by 9.7 per cent, while Total Nigeria Plc went down by 5.0 per cent. In all, 17 stocks declined compared with 11 stocks that appreciated. Forte Oil Plc led, declining by 9.7 per cent to close at N74.62.

The sell-off in Forte Oil Plc came after the company successfully raised N9 billion bond under its N50 billion bond issuance programme. The   company had said the funds  would  be used to refinance existing short term commercial bank loan obligations and to finance the retail outlet expansion of the company.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa  had said: “With the raising of this initial capital which has been fully underwritten shows the confidence the investing public has in Forte Oil Plc as an investment of choice. This bond programme being the first in the downstream sector, is testament to Forte’s position within the downstream sector and allows the company to actualise the vision of the Board to continue to provide value to its shareholders regardless of the economic climate.”

The NSE Oil & Gas Index led the decliners with 2.5 per cent, while NSE Consumer Goods Index followed with a marginal decline of 0.02 per cent. On the positive side,  the NSE  Banking Index rebounded 0.05 per cent  on the back of bargain hunting in Access Bank  (+0.5 per cent), Zenith Bank Plc (+0.4 per cent) and Guaranty Trust Bank (+0.3 per cent).

The bear run was halted on Wednesday as the NSE ASI 0.22 per cent to close higher at 25,517.00 on bargain hunting by investors on some of the highly discounted stocks to increase their portfolio. Similarly, market capitalisation added N19.2 billion to close at N8.8 trillion. At the close trading, 19 stocks gained compared to 11 that depreciated.

Sterling Bank Plc led the price gainers with 5.7 per cent, followed by Oando Plc with 5.0 per cent. Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc advanced 4.9 per cent each. Conversely, Forte Oil Plc led price losers with 6.2 per cent to close at N70.00 per share. Julius Berger Nigeria plc trailed with 5.0 per cent, just as African Prudential Registrars Plc and Total Nigeria Plc rose by 4.3 per cent.

In terms of sectoral performance, all the sectors closed in the green except the NSE Oil and Gas Index that shed weight. The NSE  Banking Index led sector gainers after appreciating 0.75 per cent following investors’ swoop on GTBank Plc(+1.2 per cent) and  United Bank for Africa Plc (+1.2 per cent). The uptrend in Nestle Nigeria Plc (+1.3 per cent), PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (+4.9 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries Plc (+0.2 per cent) bolstered the  NSE Consumer Goods Index by 0.50 per cent. Also the NSE Insurance Index appreciated 0.2 per cent on account of AIICO Insurance Plc (+3.5 per cent), while the NSE Industrial Goods Index rose 0.1 per cent.

One day after rebounding, the bears returned and reclaimed the control of the market, pushing the NSE ASI down by 0.10 per cent to close at 25,490.70. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Forte Oil, Stanbic IBTC, Total, Zenith Bank and Nigerian Breweries were responsible for the decline. Similarly, market capitalisation lost N9.1 billion to close at  N8.8 trillion.

Sectorally, the performance was mixed.  The  NSE Oil & Gas Index topped the losers’ chart closing 1.4 per cent lower due to profit taking in Total (-9.0 per cent) and continuous sell-off in Forte Oil (-1.4 per cent) while the  NSE Consumer Goods Index  shed ).13 per cent on the back of weak appetite in Nigerian Breweries Plc (-0.2 per cent) and International Breweries  (-4.1 per cent). On the  positive side, the NSE Banking Index went up by  0.15 per cent  following gains  posted by  GTBank (+0.9 per cent) and Access Bank (+0.2 per cent) which offset losses in Zenith Bank (-1.1 per cent). The NSE Insurance Index rose marginally 0.02 per cent on account of a rally in NEM Insurance (+4.2 per cent).

The market closed lower on Friday as the NSE ASI fell by 0.62 per cent to close at 25,333.39. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Forte Oil, Stanbic IBTC, Lafarge, Zenith Bank and Dangote Cement accounted for the decline.

Market turnover

Meanwhile, investors traded 639.439 million shares worth N6.455 billion in 11,799 deals were traded last week, compared with 823.547 million shares valued at N5.444 billion that exchanged hands  in 11,634 deals the previous week. The Financial Services Industry remained the most traded with 491.758 million shares valued at N2.211 billion traded in 6,241 deals; thus contributing 76.90 per cent and 34.25 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 64.507 million shares worth N58.500 million in 681 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 54.901 million shares worth N3.307 billion in 2,386 deals.

Gainers and losers

The price movement chart showed that 27 equities appreciated in price during the review week, higher than 10 equities of the previous week. Conversely, 26 equities depreciated in price, lower 48 equities of the previous week. In terms of gainers, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc led  with 20.3 per cent, trailed by African Prudential Registrars Plc with 14.5 per cent. Fidson Healthcare Plc appreciated by 12.9 per cent, while Unity Bank Plc rose by 9.2 per cent. Champion Breweries Plc, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc and Diamond Bank Plc garnered 8.4 per cent and 7.1 per cent in that order among others.

Conversely, Forte Oil Plc led the price losers, declining by 24 per cent, trailed by Okomu Oil Palm Plc with 13.8 per cent, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc shed 12.7 per cent. Airline Services and Logistics Plc. UACN Property Development Company Plc and Total Nigeria Plc declined by 11.8 per cent, 11.7 per cent ND 10.9 per cent respectively.

Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

The Nigerian equities market extended its weekly depreciation to sixth consecutive week as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI), fell by 0.8 per cent to close at 25,333.39 last week.

The market had maintained a steady decline over the past weeks, shedding 3.0 per cent the previous week. Although the weak negative investors sentiments persistent last week, a number of high-capped stocks halted their losses last week, leading to a lower decline of 0.8 per cent. The market capitalisation of the NSE fell by the same margin to close lower at N8.721 trillion. Apart from the NSE ASI, all other indices finished lower during the week with the exception of the NSE Banking and NSE Consumer Goods Indices that appreciated by 0.02 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively.

Daily Market Performance   Summary

Trading resumed on negative note as  the NSE ASI fell by 0.15 per cent to close at 25,499.00. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of FBN Holdings, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Dangote Sugar, Mobil   Oil and Stanbic IBTC Holdings were responsible for the decline in NSE ASI. Total value of stocks traded on the floors on Monday was N858.54 million, down by 3.34 per cent from N888.17 million the previous day.

Performance across sectors was broadly bearish with only the NSE Industrial Goods Index gaining marginally. The  NSE Insurance Index led sector decliners, falling by  0.6 per cent on account of losses in Continental Reinsurance Plc (-4.8 per cent) and NEM  Insurance (-1.4 per cent). Similarly,  the NSE  Oil & Gas Index closed 0.36 per cent lower as a result of  profit taking in Mobil Oil  (-2.6 per cent) and Total Nigeria Plc(-2.5 per cent). The NSE Banking Index shed 0.6 per cent to close in the red on the back of weak appetite for ETI (-2.0 per cent), Stanbic IBTC (-1.9 per cent) and Zenith Bank (-0.2 per cent). Losses in Dangote Sugar (-4.9 per cent) and International Breweries (-1.5 per cent) depressed the NSE Consumer Goods Index by 0.1 per cent.

The negative sentiments continued to drive the market down on Tuesday, causing the market the NSE ASI to hit a seven-month low. Specifically, the NSE ASI fell by 0.15 per cent to close at 25,461.34, increasing the month-to-date and year-to-date decline to 6.46 per cent and 11.47 per cent respectively.

Tuesday’s decline resulted from heavy sell offs across oil and gas sector. For instance, Forte Oil Plc fell by 9.7 per cent, while Total Nigeria Plc went down by 5.0 per cent. In all, 17 stocks declined compared with 11 stocks that appreciated. Forte Oil Plc led, declining by 9.7 per cent to close at N74.62.

The sell-off in Forte Oil Plc came after the company successfully raised N9 billion bond under its N50 billion bond issuance programme. The   company had said the funds  would  be used to refinance existing short term commercial bank loan obligations and to finance the retail outlet expansion of the company.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa  had said: “With the raising of this initial capital which has been fully underwritten shows the confidence the investing public has in Forte Oil Plc as an investment of choice. This bond programme being the first in the downstream sector, is testament to Forte’s position within the downstream sector and allows the company to actualise the vision of the Board to continue to provide value to its shareholders regardless of the economic climate.”

The NSE Oil & Gas Index led the decliners with 2.5 per cent, while NSE Consumer Goods Index followed with a marginal decline of 0.02 per cent. On the positive side,  the NSE  Banking Index rebounded 0.05 per cent  on the back of bargain hunting in Access Bank  (+0.5 per cent), Zenith Bank Plc (+0.4 per cent) and Guaranty Trust Bank (+0.3 per cent).

The bear run was halted on Wednesday as the NSE ASI 0.22 per cent to close higher at 25,517.00 on bargain hunting by investors on some of the highly discounted stocks to increase their portfolio. Similarly, market capitalisation added N19.2 billion to close at N8.8 trillion. At the close trading, 19 stocks gained compared to 11 that depreciated.

Sterling Bank Plc led the price gainers with 5.7 per cent, followed by Oando Plc with 5.0 per cent. Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc advanced 4.9 per cent each. Conversely, Forte Oil Plc led price losers with 6.2 per cent to close at N70.00 per share. Julius Berger Nigeria plc trailed with 5.0 per cent, just as African Prudential Registrars Plc and Total Nigeria Plc rose by 4.3 per cent.

In terms of sectoral performance, all the sectors closed in the green except the NSE Oil and Gas Index that shed weight. The NSE  Banking Index led sector gainers after appreciating 0.75 per cent following investors’ swoop on GTBank Plc(+1.2 per cent) and  United Bank for Africa Plc (+1.2 per cent). The uptrend in Nestle Nigeria Plc (+1.3 per cent), PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (+4.9 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries Plc (+0.2 per cent) bolstered the  NSE Consumer Goods Index by 0.50 per cent. Also the NSE Insurance Index appreciated 0.2 per cent on account of AIICO Insurance Plc (+3.5 per cent), while the NSE Industrial Goods Index rose 0.1 per cent.

One day after rebounding, the bears returned and reclaimed the control of the market, pushing the NSE ASI down by 0.10 per cent to close at 25,490.70. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Forte Oil, Stanbic IBTC, Total, Zenith Bank and Nigerian Breweries were responsible for the decline. Similarly, market capitalisation lost N9.1 billion to close at  N8.8 trillion.

Sectorally, the performance was mixed.  The  NSE Oil & Gas Index topped the losers’ chart closing 1.4 per cent lower due to profit taking in Total (-9.0 per cent) and continuous sell-off in Forte Oil (-1.4 per cent) while the  NSE Consumer Goods Index  shed ).13 per cent on the back of weak appetite in Nigerian Breweries Plc (-0.2 per cent) and International Breweries  (-4.1 per cent). On the  positive side, the NSE Banking Index went up by  0.15 per cent  following gains  posted by  GTBank (+0.9 per cent) and Access Bank (+0.2 per cent) which offset losses in Zenith Bank (-1.1 per cent). The NSE Insurance Index rose marginally 0.02 per cent on account of a rally in NEM Insurance (+4.2 per cent).

The market closed lower on Friday as the NSE ASI fell by 0.62 per cent to close at 25,333.39. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Forte Oil, Stanbic IBTC, Lafarge, Zenith Bank and Dangote Cement accounted for the decline.

Market turnover

Meanwhile, investors traded 639.439 million shares worth N6.455 billion in 11,799 deals were traded last week, compared with 823.547 million shares valued at N5.444 billion that exchanged hands  in 11,634 deals the previous week. The Financial Services Industry remained the most traded with 491.758 million shares valued at N2.211 billion traded in 6,241 deals; thus contributing 76.90 per cent and 34.25 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 64.507 million shares worth N58.500 million in 681 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 54.901 million shares worth N3.307 billion in 2,386 deals.

Gainers and losers

The price movement chart showed that 27 equities appreciated in price during the review week, higher than 10 equities of the previous week. Conversely, 26 equities depreciated in price, lower 48 equities of the previous week. In terms of gainers, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc led  with 20.3 per cent, trailed by African Prudential Registrars Plc with 14.5 per cent. Fidson Healthcare Plc appreciated by 12.9 per cent, while Unity Bank Plc rose by 9.2 per cent. Champion Breweries Plc, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc and Diamond Bank Plc garnered 8.4 per cent and 7.1 per cent in that order among others.

Conversely, Forte Oil Plc led the price losers, declining by 24 per cent, trailed by Okomu Oil Palm Plc with 13.8 per cent, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc shed 12.7 per cent. Airline Services and Logistics Plc. UACN Property Development Company Plc and Total Nigeria Plc declined by 11.8 per cent, 11.7 per cent ND 10.9 per cent respectively.