By Providence Obuh

A slight decline was recorded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE Tuesday, as the upward movement witnessed on trading was halted, dragging equities value down by N1.48 billion.

In particular, the value of listed equities represented by the market capitalisation declined by 0.02 per cent to close at N8.250 trillion from N8.252 trillion at which it opened. Another key performance indices, the All share index dropped by 0.02 per cent or 4.65 bases points to close at 25,821.85 points from 25,826.50 points.

Ashaka Cement Plc topped on the losers table with five per cent or N1.34 to close at N25.46 per share, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc followed with a loss of N0.61 to close at N11.61 per share and Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Plc dipped by N0.11 to close at N2.10 per share.

Other share price losers include: Afrbank Plc N0.09,Fidson Healthcare Plc N0.10, Ikeja Hotel Plc N0.07, Transnational Incorporation Plc N0.05, Spring Bank Plc N0.05, Oceanic Bank Plc N0.09, Finbank Plc N0.03, among others.

On the contrary, Honeywell Flour Mill Plc appreciated by five per cent or N0.23 to close at N4.83 per share, Con Oil Plc followed with a gain of N1.70 to close at N35.70 per share and Custodian and Allied Product Plc garnered N1.15 to close at N24.28 per share.

Other share price gainers include: National Salt Company Nigeria Plc N0.27, May and Baker Nigeria Plc N0.20, Eterna Oil and Gas Plc N0.23, UAC-Property Development Company Plc N0.60, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc N5.00, Starcomms Plc N0.02, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc N0.36, among others.

Equity Trading plunge 29.61 per cent as a turnover of 351.95 million shares valued at N2.79 billion was recorded in 5,951 deals, in contrast to the previous day’s turnover of 271.55 million shares valued at N2.65billion in 5,554 deals .

The Banking sub-sector was the most active on the sectorial analysis accounting for 7.21 per cent of the market turnover with 250.61 million shares valued at N1.87 billion in 3,503deals. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc boosted activity in the sub-sector trading 51.08million shares valued at N515.93 million in 53 deals, Bank PHB Plc followed with 40.98 million shares valued at N59.05 million in 67 deals and Zenith Bank Plc recorded 33.53 million shares valued at N519.84 million in 360 deals.

The Insurance sub-sector followed on the sectorial analysis accounting for 4.20 per cent of the market turnover with 14.77 million shares valued at N11.46 million in 210 deals. Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc enjoyed the highest patronage in the sub-sector trading 3.56 million shares valued at N2.02 million in 24 deals, AIICO Insurance Plc followed with 3.15 million shares valued at N2.83 million in 60 deals and Goldlink Insurance Plc recorded 2.75 million shares valued at N1.37 in 17 deals.