The Nigerian equities market’s gain of previous trading session was reversed Wednesday as lead indicators shed 0.17 per cent.
The All Share Index depreciated 46.98 basis points to close at 26,871.24 against 189.58 points gained previously to close at 26,918.22, while market capitalization lost N16.2 billion to close at N9.24 trillion compared with N65.2 billion previously gained by investors to close at N9.3 trillion.
Leading the sectoral indices again was the Oil & Gas index as it appreciated by 3.3 per cent due to gains sustained by Mobil which added 9.8 per cent and Forte Oil 5.0 per cent.
On the flip side, the Consumer Goods sector led the day’s sectoral losers with a 2 per cent loss driven by a 5 per cent depreciation recorded in Nigerian Breweries and PZ Cussons Plc.
Market breadth however remained positive with 22 gainers pitched against 14 losers. Top three gainers were Mobil Plc., with an increase of 9.83 per cent or N12.80 to close at N143 per share followed by Unity Bank Plc., which added 9.30 per cent or 8 kobo to close at 94 kobo per share, while Transcorp Plc., gained 9.02 per cent or 12 kobo to close at N1.45 per share.
On the other hand, Nigerian Breweries Plc led the day’s 14 losers with a decline of 4.99 per cent or N6.08 to close at N115.72 per share, trailed by PZ Cussons Plc., which depreciated by 4.98 per cent or N1.41 to close at N26.90 per share, while Tiger Brands Plc., dropped 4.84 per cent or 6 kobo to close at N1.18 per share.
At the end of the day’s transactions, investors on the Nigeria Stock Exchange had in 3,255 deals exchanged a total of 149.9 million shares worth N1.6 billion, compared to 397.3 million shares worth N2.6 billion exchanged in 2,683 deals previously.