NGX up by 1.27% WoW as investors renew interest in banking stocks
By Kayode Tokede
The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 1.27 per cent to close the week at 39,301.82 basis points and N20.568 trillion respectively.
Bargain hunting in banking stocks was the overarching theme during the week as investors flocked into banking names ahead of first quarter of 2021 corporate earnings releases.
All other indices finished higher with the exception of NSE Sovereign Bond Index which depreciated by 0.94 per cent while the NSE ASeM and NSE Growth Indices closed flat.
The NGX weekly reported stated that, “A total turnover of 1.602 billion shares worth N42.142 billion in 19,507 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 1.263 billion shares valued at N10.759 billion that exchanged hands last week in 19,975 deals.
“The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.029 billion shares valued at N9.188 billion traded in 11,095 deals; thus contributing 64.22per cent and 21.80per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
“The ICT Industry followed with 215.482 million shares worth N29.855 billion in 566 deals. The third place was Conglomerates Industry, with a turnover of 118.458 million shares worth N675.954 million in 1,088 deals.
“Trading in the top-three equities namely Fidelity Bank Plc, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 580.760 million shares worth N34.392 billion in 3,197 deals, contributing 36.25 per cent and 81.61 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively
“A total of 262,526 units of ETPs valued at N4.187 million were traded this week in 38 deals compared with a total of 671,160 units valued at N2.507 billion transacted last week in 76 deals.
“Investors traded7 0,316 units of Bonds valued at N78.374 million last week in 22 deals compared with a total of 60,714 units valued at N73.497 million transacted last week in 17 deals.”
According to analysts at Cordros capital, “In the week ahead, we expect NSE’s floor to be flooded with results as the Q1-2021 earnings season commences in full swing. We believe investors will be looking for clues on how corporate earnings will evolve in 2021, given the expected improvement in macroeconomic conditions.
“The local bourse is likely to close positive next week as we expect decent earnings releases across the board to temper selling activities stoked by the rising yields in the FI market.
“Notwithstanding, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro story remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings.”
