Equity trading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed the week on a negative note as major market indicators dropped marginally.

The market capitalisation of the listed shares fell by 0.4 per cent or N29bn from N6.590tn the previous day to close at N6.560tn on Friday.

Also, the NSE’s All-Share Index fell by 0.4 per cent or 92.89 basis points from 20,913.21 on Thursday, to 20,913.21 points.

Similarly, the NSE-30 Index was also down by 0.5 per cent or 5.05 basis points to 937.29 points down from 932.24 recorded the preceding day.

Other sectoral indices also recorded significant depreciation. The NSE Food/Beverage Index shedding 0.8 per cent or 13.52 basis points to close at 1,688.79 points, down from 1,702.31 points on Thursday.

The NSE Banking Index lost the highest, falling by 1.1 per cent or 3.095 basis points, from 270.82 points to 267.73 points.

A total of 26 stocks recorded price depreciation while only 16 stocks gained marginally at the close of trading activities on Friday.

Fidson Plc, emerged the highest loser of the day, shedding five per cent or five kobo to close at 95 kobo per share.

C&I Leasing Plc also shed five per cent or three kobo to close at 57 kobo per share.

University Press Plc and Continental Insurance Plc also shed 4.4 per cent and 4.0 per cent to close at N3.25 and 72 kobo per share respectively, while Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc lost 3.5 per cent each to close at N4.64 and N1.37 per share in that order.

On the other hand, Chemical and Allied Products Plc led 15 other companies on the price gainers’ chart, rising by five per cent or 72 kobo to close at N15.22 per share.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc also gained 4.9 per cent or 29 kobo to close at N6.16 per share.

Prestige Assurance Plc and Air Services and Logistics Plc gained 4.8 per cent each to close at 86 kobo and N2.17 per share respectively.

Source: Punch/Udeme Ekwere