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’Femi Asu
Investors lost N30bn on Monday as the Nigerian stock market started the month on a negative note amid profit-taking, ending a five-day gaining streak.
The market capitalisation of equities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange had risen by 3.44 per cent last week as the market continued its upward trend for five consecutive trading sessions.
Investors gained over N1tn in January as the market capitalisation rose to N22.19tn on Friday from N21.06tn at the start of the month.
The NSE All-Share Index, however, dropped by 0.13 per cent on Monday to 42,357.90 basis points from 42,412.66bps last Friday, while the market capitalisation fell to N22.16tn from N22.19tn.
By Goddy Egene
The stock market surged further yesterday with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rising 1.21 per cent to close at 41,584.94 as companies begin to release their unaudited financial results for the year ended December 2020.
Apart from the benchmark index that appreciated, market capitalisation added N259.4 billion to close at N21.8 trillion. Similarly, activity level advanced as volume and value traded rose 40.5 per cent and 110.8 per cent to 467.9 million shares and N5.6 billion respectively.
The bulls were in total control of the session yesterday as 32 stocks appreciated, while 19 depreciated. Although gains by Airtel Africa Plc, MTN Nigeria Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc influenced the rise in the NSE ASI, RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc led the price gainers’ table with 10 per cent.
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Johnson Okafor
Equity trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Monday closed on the positive note with a gain of N46bn as the bulls regained grip on trading activities.
The market performance indices, NSE ASI, appreciated by 0.21 per cent with market breathe, however, closing negative with 19 gainers against 30 losers.
Consequently, the All-Share Index grew by 86.97 basis points or 0.21 per cent from 41,001.99 index points last Friday to 41,088.96 while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N46bn to close at N21.49tn from N21.45tn.
On the activity chart, the banking sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 64.12m shares exchanged in 938 deals. The sub-sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Fidelity Bank Plc and Union Bank Plc.
Stock market gains N50bn on blue-chip firms
Johnson Okafor
Equity trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday closed on a positive note with a gain of N50bn to halt the previous two days’ losses.
The NSE All-Share Index appreciated by 0.23 per cent with market breadth closing positive with 55 gainers as against 16 losers.
The ASI gained 96.09 basis points or 0.23 per cent to close at 41,147.72 as against 41,051.63 recorded the previous day while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N50bn or 0.23 per cent to close at 21.52tn from N21.47tn as market sentiment returned to the green zone.
Goddy Egene writes that given the gains being recorded in the equities market, discerning investors could invest in stocks to hedge against the rising inflation rate the hit 15.8 per cent in December 2020
Last week the National Bureau Statistics (NBS) released the consumer price index report, which showed that the headline inflation rose to 15.8 per cent in December 2020. The inflation rate, which was an increase from the 14.9 per cent recorded in November, 2020, was said to be the highest level of headline inflation since December 2017, and the largest increase (98bps) since January 2012.
This rising inflation is a great concern for all stakeholders- consumers, manufacturers and investors among others. For instance, for investors to enjoy positive returns on their investments, that returns must be above the headline inflation of 15.8 per cent. And considering the prevailing economic conditions, it is difficult to come across such investments that will deliver returns above the inf