Investors Lose N1.82tn on Profit-taking in Dangote Cement, MTN, 35 Others

Kayode Tokede

Nigeria’s stock market yesterday began the week on a negative note as investors’ profit-taking in Dangote Cement Plc, MTN Nigeria Communication Plc, and 35 others dragged the overall market capitalization down by N1.82 trillion.

As Dangote Cement and MTN Nigeria dropped by 10 per cent to N686.70 and N247.50 per share, respectively, the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) fell by 3,329.55 basis points, or 3.15 per cent to close at 102,393.23 basis points from a peak of 105,722.78basis points.

Accordingly, investors lost N1.82 trillion in value as market capitalisation declined to N56.028 trillion from N57.850trillion the stock market opened for trading.

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth closed negative as 18 stocks advanced, while 37 declined. Juli emerged the highest price gainer of 9.52 per cent to close at N1.61, per share. DAAR Communications followed with a gain of 8.64 kobo to close at 88 kobo, while SUNU Assurance advanced by 6.74 per cent to close at N1.90, per share.

Associated Bus Company increased by 6.67 per cent to close at 96 kobo, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) added 5.86 per cent to close at N0.70, per share.

On the other side, MTNN and Dangote Cement led others on the losers’ chart with 10 per cent each to close at N247.50 and N686.70 respectively, while Nigerian Exchange Group followed with 9.76 per cent to close at N22.20, per share.

NEM Insurance lost 9.74 per cent to close at N6.95, while Tantalizers depreciated by 9.52 per cent to close at 38 kobo, per share.

The total volume of trades decreased by 20.05 per cent to 273.851 million units, valued at N7.439 billion, and exchanged in 9,688 deals. Transactions in the shares of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) led the activity with 28.846 million shares worth N1.126 billion. Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) followed with account of 20.135 million shares valued at N275.931 million, while Access Holdings traded 15.900 million shares valued at N359.450 million.

FBN Holdings (FBNH) traded 15.866 million shares worth N450.742 million, while Zenith Bank traded 15.839 million shares worth N568.046 million.

On market outlook for this week, United Capital Plc said “as negative sentiments continue to outweigh the positives in the short-term, we expect broad-based bearish sentiments to thrive in the short-term.

“We foresee activities in the fixed income market to stand as key demotivator for equities investments this week. The uncertainty and overall market expectation of a HIKE in the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this meeting (to be held on February 26 and 27, 2024) may underpin a cautious investment approach toward risk assets.

“Given the tremendous value that still exists in the equities market, on the back of currently undervalued stocks particularly the banking stocks (which are currently trading beyond the oversold region), we still expect background bargain hunting activities, albeit overshadowed by the short-term negative sentiment, pending the release of full year, 2023 financial results and corporate actions from top-tier banks, and other corporates.”