Equity trading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a negative note on Thursday, extending the losses which began on Tuesday.

The NSE’s All-Share Index fell by 0.4 per cent or 84.67 basis points from 20,997.88 on Wednesday, to 20,913.21 points.

Similarly, the market capitalisation of the listed shares fell by 0.41 per cent or N27bn from N6.617tn the previous day to close at N6.590tn.

The NSE-30 Index was also down by 0.5 per cent or 4.46 basis points to 937.29 points down from 941.75 recorded the preceding day.

Other sectoral indices also recorded significant depreciation with the NSE Insurance Index shedding 0.5 per cent or 0.64 basis points to close at 128.47 points, down from 129.11 points on Wednesday.

The NSE Banking Index lost the highest, falling by 1.8 per cent or 5.05 basis points from 275.87 points to 270.82 points.

A total of 27 stocks recorded price depreciation while only 15 stocks gained marginally at the close of trading activities on Wednesday.

Multitrex Plc, emerged the highest loser of the day, shedding five per cent or six kobo to close at N1.15 per share.

Vitafoam Plc also shed five per cent or 26 kobo to close at N5.01per share.

Skye Bank Plc and Transnational Corporation Plc also shed 4.8 per cent each to close at N3.70 and 59 kobo per share respectively, while United Bank for Africa Plc and University Press Plc lost 4.8 per cent to close at N2.38 and N3.40 per share in that order.

On the other hand, AG Leventis Plc led 14 other companies on the price gainers’ chart, rising by five per cent or seven kobo to close at N1.47 per share.

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc also gained 4.9 per cent or 27 kobo to close at N5.78 per share.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc and May & Baker Plc gained 4.8 per cent each to close at N5.87 and N2.62 per share respectively.

The banking sub-sector maintained its lead on the activity chart, accounting for 62 per cent of total volume traded.

In the sub-sector, investors exchanged 109.96 million shares, valued at N651m in 1,634 transactions.

Source: Punch/udeme Ekwere