Nigerian stocks jump at fastest pace in 2023 as investor confidence improves

Nigerian stocks accelerated at their swiftest pace so far this year on Tuesday as the main equity index rose by 5.2 per cent and the value of shares appreciated by over N1.5 trillion.

Analysts say the jump was helped by positive sentiments that followed new policy directions by the new administration in the country.

Investors warmed to President Bola Tinubu’s planned economic reforms, particularly his resolve to scrap costly fuel subsidies and unify Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates, with transaction volume increasing by 133 per cent and turnover more than doubling.

NGX 30, the index that measures the top 30 companies on the Nigerian Exchange in terms of liquidity and market capitalisation, expanded by 5.6 per cent. That was the sharpest growth rate since November 2020.

Unusual for the market, at least six stocks each added as much as 10 per cent, the highest daily upper price movement allowed by the bourse.

“We see more room for extended bargain hunting among listed corporates as investors look to reinvest dividends received across fundamentally sound stocks,” said analysts at United Capital in their outlook note for this week seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

“More risk-averse investors will look to book some profit off profitable positions,” they added.

Market breadth, an indicator of investor sentiment towards trade, was positive as 64 gainers were reported compared to 14 decliners.

READ ALSO: Tinubu to grow Nigeria’s GDP by 6%, unify multiple exchange rates

The all-share index grew by 2,771.9 basis points to 55,738.4, while market capitalisation climbed to N30.3 trillion. Year to date, the index has yielded 8.8 per cent

Top Five Gainers

Zenith Bank appreciated by 10 per cent to close at N29.70. Transcorp Hotels enlarged by 10 per cent to end trade at N8.25. Nigerian Breweries rose to N42.35, notching up 10 per cent in the process. Jaiz Bank went up by 10 per cent to N1.10. FCMB completed the top 5, climbing by 10 per cent to N4.62.

Top Five Losers

Ikeja Hotel led losers, declining by 10 per cent to close at N2.16. NCR shed 9.8 per cent to end trade at N2.76. Tantalizers fell to N0.23, losing 8 per cent. Julius Berger slumped to N29, recording a 7.94 per cent depreciation. International Energy Insurance closed at N1.20, going down by 7 per cent.

Top Trades

Altogether, 1.1 billion shares estimated at N15.8 billion were traded in 9,916 deals.

Access Holdings was the most active stock with 199.6 million of its shares worth N2.4 billion traded in 963 deals. FBN Holdings’ shares of 127.9 million units, priced at N1.7 billion, exchanged hands in 213 transactions. Transcorp had 95.7 million shares valued at N309.2 million traded in 525 deals. UBA traded 24.9 million shares estimated at N831.5 million in 542 transactions. GTCO traded 76.4 million shares valued at N2.2 billion in 728 deals.