Stock Market Turns Bearish on Selloffs in Bellwethers

The bears reclaimed control of the Nigerian stock market to close 0.60 per cent lower Tuesday after a positive start on Monday. After a bear run the previous week, the market had started the new week with a marginal appreciation of 0.06 per cent on Monday.

However, the growth could not be sustained on Tuesday as bellwether tickers depreciated, dragging the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index lower to 37,421.01, while market capitalisation fell to N13.56 trillion. As at the close of trading on Tuesday, the year-to-date decline of the NSE ASI is now 2.15 per cent.

Heavy weights such as Lafarge Africa Plc, GTBank Plc, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Zenith Bank Plc were among the stocks that caused the decline in the NSE ASI.

In all, 26 stocks declined, while only 12 stocks appreciated. Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc with 9.1 per cent apiece, trailed by AXA Mansard Insurance Plc with 8.9 per cent.

On the positive side, Forte Oil Plc emerged the highest gainer, rising 9.9 per cent, trailed by Custodian Investment Plc that garnered 9.4 per cent.

According to market analysts, the current bearish trend will be sustained in the absence of an individual company news to drive positive price movements on counters.