NGX extends decline on energy, insurance sell-off

The Nigerian equities market endured a decline on Wednesday as profit-taking in high-priced energy and insurance equities caused key market indicators to drop. The benchmark All-Share Index slipped below 241,000 points, with the index declining 0.36 percent or 860.76 points to finish at 240,750.47 points. The index was lower by N555.68bn, closing at N155.42tn from N155.97tn the previous day.

Trader sentiment was negative across most sectors, resulting in a significant sell-off in energy equities. Aradel Holdings Plc saw a maximum daily price correction of 9.99 percent, closing at N1,374.20 per share from N1,526.70. Other energy equities, such as Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc and Oando Plc, posted modest gains of 0.35 percent and 0.57 percent, closing at N2.90 and N35.30 per share, respectively. Seplat Energy Plc and TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc remained stable without price adjustments.

The insurance sector experienced intense selling pressure, emerging as the biggest underperformer among sub-sectors. International Energy Insurance Plc suffered the steepest loss, dropping 10.00 percent to N4.77 per share. AltBank Universal Insurance Plc and Royal Exchange Plc also reported steep declines of 9.41 percent and 8.62 percent, closing at N0.77 and N1.06 per share, respectively.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and Regency Assurance Plc also experienced losses of 7.41 percent and 5.88 percent, respectively. Haldane McCall Plc was the only gainer of the day, rising 10.00 percent to N3.52 per share. Coronation Insurance Plc and UACN Plc also delivered strong gains of 8.44 percent and 6.56 percent, closing at N2.44 and N177.85 per share, respectively.

The banking sector presented a mixed trading pattern, with some stocks rising while others declined. United Bank for Africa Plc increased by 2.22 percent to N46.00 per share, while Zenith Bank Plc advanced 1.64 percent to N124.00 per share. FCMB Group Plc and Access Holdings Plc also showed modest gains of 1.69 percent and 0.93 percent, closing at N12.00 and N27.15 per share, respectively.

However, losses in Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, which slipped by 0.65 percent, 0.36 percent, and 0.08 percent, respectively, capped the broader upward movement in the banking sector. Overall, more than 1.19 billion shares were traded in 34,491 deals during the session.