Market Statistics Thursday, 23rd March, 2017

Market Cap (N’bn) 8,827.5
Market Cap (US$’bn) 28.7
NSE All-Share Index 25,514.03
Daily Performance % (0.001)
Week Performance % 0.4
YTD Performance % (5.1)
Daily Volume (Million) 115.1
Daily Value (N’bn) 1.4
Daily Value (US$’m) 4.6

The Nigerian equities market closed flat today as the benchmark index lost a marginal 0.1 basis point to close at 25,514.03 points while year to date loss performance remained at 5.1 per cent. Today’s flattish close was as a result of sell pressure in SEPLAT (-9.7%) and profit taking in ACCESS (-3.6%) and ZENITH (-1.5%), which offset the gains in WAPCO (+8.5%) and GUARANTY (+1.1%). Accordingly, investors lost N23.4 million, bringing market capitalisation to N8.8 trillion. Market activity also moderated as volume and value traded fell 42.1 per cent and 44.0 per cent to settle at 115.1 million units and N1.4 billion respectively.
Performance across sectors was mixed as 3 indices gained while 2 declined. The Oil & Gas index emerged the worst performer, down 3.6 per cent as investors sold down heavily on SEPLAT (-9.7%), while the Banking index lost 4 basis points – dragged by losses in ZENITH (-1.5%) and ACCESS (-3.6%).
On the Gainers side, the Industrial Goods index surged 3.4 per cent as investors further took interest in WAPCO (+8.5%) following better than expected earnings result submitted by the cement manufacturer yesterday. The Consumer Goods index came in higher by 0.2 per cent due to NESTLE (+1.2%) and 7UP (+3.0%) while the Insurance index gained 8bps as a result of AIICO (+1.8%).
Sentiment strengthened as reflected in the market breadth which improved from 0.7x in previous trading session to 1.4x – 20 stocks appreciated against 14 decliners. The best performing stocks were WAPCO (+8.5%), LEARNAFRCA (+4.6%) and LIVESTOCK (+4.5%) while SEPLAT (-9.7%), GUINNESS (-4.2%) and AFRIPRUD (-3.8%) were the worst performers.
Despite the flattish performance of the broader index, the market breadth suggests sentiment is positive following two consecutive days of losses. We expect the benchmark index to close positive in the final trading session for the week.
In the NASD OTC exchange, the total volume and value of transactions stood at 500, 206 units and N3.0 million respectively as only two counters were traded today. CSCS Plc declined 7.7 per cent to settle at N6.00 while WAMCO closed flat at N140.00.
Afrinvest