By Habibat Aliu
For the first time in several years, the ICT industry outweighed the banking sector to dominate transactions in volume terms at the end of last week’s trading on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
The industry led the activity chart with 601.4 million shares valued at N2.7 billion in 1,607 deals, thus contributing 31.5 per cent to the total equities turnover.
The financial services industry trailed with 585.5 million units worth N6.9 billion in 8,584 deals while the services industry was third with a turnover of 349.2 million shares worth N2.4 billion in 512 deals.
Trading in the top three equities namely Chams Holding Company Plc, Capital Hotels Plc d Transnational Corporation Plc (measured by volume), accounted for one billion shares worth N2.6 billion in 769 deals. They contributed 54.3 per cent to total equity volume.
In all, a turnover of 1.9 billion shares worth N18.4 billion was recorded in 20,311 deals by investors on the floor of the exchange, in contrast with a total of 799.8 million units valued at N29.4 billion that changed hands in 14,194 deals on February 24, 2023.
On the price movement chart, the all-share index and market capitalisation appreciated by 1.06 per cent as investors gained N316 billion to close the week at 55,529.21 points and N30.250 trillion, driven by buying interests in Geregu (+31.4 per cent), Buafoods (+10.5 per cent), Dangote Cement (+2.2 per cent) and Stanbic IBTC (+18.8 per cent).
All other indices finished higher except the NGX oil and gas index, which depreciated by 2.36 per cent, while the NGX Sovereign Bond and NGX ASeM indices closed flat.
Analysts predicted a brighter outlook, even as they urged investors to take advantage of the bull run while keeping a tab on trends/developments both locally and across the globe.
Chief Research Officer of Investdata Consulting Limited, Ambrose Omordion said: “We expect positive sentiments and mixed trend to continue as investors react to impressive earnings and dividend payout.
“Also, the eventual outcome of the presidential election is likely to boost confidence, as other parties move to the court for redress and peace return to the system.”
Cordros Capital said: “In the week ahead, we expect investors to continue to rotate their portfolios toward stocks of companies that delivered decent earnings this week.
“Thus, we see scope for the bulls to maintain dominance, though the magnitude of the gains will be lower, as profit takers are likely to book profits across bellwether stocks.
“Notwithstanding, we opine that investors should seek trading opportunities in fundamentally sound stocks as the weak macroeconomic environment remains a significant headwind to corporate earnings.”
Vetiva Dealings and Brokerage said: “We expect mixed sentiments in the market next week, as investors anticipate more full-year earnings results. Meanwhile, this week, both Access and UBA announced a delay in the publication of FY’22 financial results.”
A total of 30,547 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N7.3 million were traded last week in 50 deals compared with a total of 5,760 units valued at N1.2 million transacted last week in 40 deals.
Also, 39,151 units of bonds valued at N37 million were traded in 17 deals compared with a total of 54,323 units valued at N54.379 million transacted last week in nine deals.
Fifty-three equities appreciated during the week higher than 39 equities in the previous week. Twenty-one equities depreciated lower than 22 in the previous week, while 83 equities remained unchanged, lower than 96 equities recorded in the previous week.
