Equity market extends loss by N6bn

Nigerian Exchange LimitedThe bearish run continued on the Nigerian Exchange on Thursday as it shed N6bn.

The All Share index and market capitalisation declined by 0.1 per cent to close at 97,477.19 and N56tn, respectively, as the market year-to-date performance moderated to 30.36 per cent.

Investors traded 277,745,152 shares in 7,091 deals worth N4.65tn.

The traded volume reflected a 22 per cent decline, while turnover and deals dipped by 33 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.

At the end of trading, 122 stocks participated, with 23 gainers and 22 losers.

Regency Alliance Insurance led the gainers with a 10% share price appreciation, closing at N0.66. It was followed by Caverton Offshore Support Group (+9.73 per cent), Royal Exchange (+8.7 per cent), and Associated Bus Company (+8.2 per cent).

On the losing side, Daar Communications recorded the largest decline, with a 10 per cent dip to N0.63,  followed by Livestock Feeds (-9.88 per cent), Fidson Healthcare (-9.71 per cent), and Sunu Assurances Nigeria (-9.71 per cent).

Fidelity Bank topped the trading volume with 43.3 million shares exchanged, followed by United Bank for Africa with 30.7 million shares, Zenith Bank with 25.6 million shares, and Lasaco Assurance with 22.1 million shares.