The Nigerian equities market continued to experience bearish sentiment during the recently concluded trading week, with a loss of N532 billion on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
Reports indicate that investors had already recorded a loss of N365 billion in the previous week.
Over the past week, the equities market recorded gains on only one out of the five trading sessions, ultimately leading to a cumulative loss of N532 billion.
As a result, the market capitalisation declined from N66.352 trillion in the previous week to N65.820 trillion.
Likewise, the All-Share Index (ASI) dropped by 0.94 per cent, closing the week at 104,962.96 points, compared to 105,955.13 points in the prior week.
The Nigerian equities market commenced the week on Monday, 17 March 2025, on a negative note, with investors losing N7.80 billion by the close of trading.
Losses persisted on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, when investors recorded a further decline of N265.55 billion.
The downward trend continued on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, with an additional loss of N288.80 billion.
By Thursday, 20 March 2025, the market remained under pressure, as investors suffered a further setback of N35.35 billion at the end of the trading session.
However, the week concluded on a positive note on Friday, 21 March 2025, marking the only profitable trading session, with investors gaining N65.33 billion.
Meanwhile, a total turnover of 2.902 billion shares valued at N48.064 billion was traded in 57,044 deals this week on the Exchange. This contrasts with the previous week’s turnover of 3.281 billion shares worth N63.517 billion, which exchanged hands in 60,782 deals.
The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) dominated the activity chart, with 2.375 billion shares valued at N21.335 billion traded across 27,053 deals. This sector contributed 81.85 per cent and 44.39 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
Following closely was the Services Industry, which recorded 177.345 million shares worth N3.194 billion in 3,829 deals.
The Consumer Goods Industry ranked third, with a turnover of 104.381 million shares valued at N3.305 billion in 5,587 transactions.
The three most actively traded equities by volume were Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Jaiz Bank Plc, and Fidelity Bank Plc. Collectively, they accounted for 1.497 billion shares worth N5.065 billion in 3,662 deals, contributing 51.59 per cent and 10.54 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
Thirty-two (32) equities recorded price increases during the week, a decrease from the thirty-eight (38) that appreciated in the previous week. Conversely, forty-eight (48) equities experienced price declines, compared to forty-six (46) in the prior week, while seventy (70) equities remained unchanged, up from sixty-six (66) in the previous week.
Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc achieved the most significant percentage increase in share price, gaining 20.48 per cent. This was followed by Linkage Assurance Plc, which saw a 13.49 per cent rise in its share price.
New Nig. Flour Mills Plc also posted a notable gain, with its share price increasing by 9.99 per cent.
On the downside, E-Tranzact International Plc recorded the most significant percentage drop in share price, shedding 26.15 per cent.
Livestock Feeds Plc followed, with a 17.55 per cent decline in its share price.
Similarly, Red Star Express Plc saw its share price contract by 16.90 per cent.