Profit-taking thickened on Customs Street on Wednesday as investors take caution amid reports of attacks in a few parts of the country.
Recall that some days ago, President Donald Trump of the United States threatened to approve a military action in Nigeria over the killing of Christians. The government reacted and has sent delegation to America on the issue.
For investors, they are monitoring the situation and this further weakened the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited by 0.23 per cent yesterday.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went down by 340.50 points to 144,646.01 points from 144,986.51 points and the market capitalisation decreased by N217 billion to N92.002 trillion from N92.219 trillion.
During the session, market participants transacted 892.5 million equities valued at N23.5 billion in 20,225 deals compared with the 381.2 million equities worth N16.7 billion traded in 21,827 deals a day earlier.
This showed that the number of deals went down by 7.34 per cent, and the trading volume and value increased by 134.13 per cent and 40.72 per cent, respectively.
Access Holdings traded 488.4 million shares worth N10.6 billion to lead the activity chart, Tantalizers exchanged 70.9 million equities valued at N195.3 million, Japaul transacted 54.1 million stocks for N117.4 million, Zenith Bank sold 34.5 million shares valued at N2.1 billion, and Consolidated Hallmark exchanged 31.3 million equities worth N125.1 million.
Yesterday, Universal Insurance lost 10.00 per cent to finish at N1.17, ABC Transport crumbled by 9.95 per cent to N3.44, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank slipped by 9.92 per cent to N3.36, and Chellarams declined by 9.85 per cent to N14.65.
On the flip side, NCR Nigeria appreciated by 9.85 per cent to N34.00, Caverton gained 9.71 per cent to finish at N5.65, UAC Nigeria grew by 8.33 per cent to N68.30, and Mutual Benefits rose by 7.69 per cent to N3.64.