Emmanuel OchayiNigeria’s stock market started the week on a negative note as the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded a 0.11% decline on Monday, February 17. Investors reacted cautiously ahead of the expected inflation report and the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, and Thursday, February 20.
At the close of trading, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) fell from 108,053.95 points recorded in the previous session to 107,937.74 points. Similarly, the equities market capitalization declined from N67.418 trillion to N67.345 trillion.
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Several stocks faced selling pressure as investors adjusted their positions ahead of key economic updates. The biggest loser was VFD Group, which fell from N58 to N52.40, marking a decline of N5.60 or 9.66%.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Stock Market Gains N779bn As NGX Rises By 1.17%
Ikeja Hotel also dropped significantly, losing N1.40 or 10% to close at N12.60 from its previous price of N14. Learn Africa followed with a decline from N4.30 to N3.87, shedding 43 kobo or 10%.
Other stocks that saw losses included Cornerstone and UPDC, as traders responded to market uncertainties.
Gainers in the Stock Market
Despite the overall decline, some stocks attracted investor interest. Nigerian Breweries, Cadbury, The Initiates, International Energy Insurance, and Nigerian Enamelware saw increased demand. These stocks recorded gains as investors sought value in select sectors.
Access Holdings, AIICO Insurance, UPDC, Fidelity Bank, and United Bank for Africa (UBA) were actively traded stocks, contributing to the overall market activity.
Market Performance and Investor Activity
The stock market’s year-to-date (YtD) return dropped to 4.87% following Monday’s losses. A total of 511,100,383 shares valued at N12.806 billion were traded in 17,095 deals. The level of trading activity showed that investors remained engaged despite the market dip.
Analysts expect that the market will remain volatile in the coming days as investors assess inflation data and the potential impact of the MPC meeting. The MPC’s decisions on interest rates and other economic policies could influence stock market trends.
Outlook for the Stock Market
The stock market’s direction in the coming days will depend on key economic indicators and policy decisions. If inflation figures come in higher than expected, investors may adopt a cautious approach, leading to further price declines. However, if the MPC meeting results in favorable policies, the market could see renewed buying interest.
Market analysts recommend that investors focus on fundamentally strong stocks and monitor economic developments closely. The upcoming inflation report and MPC decisions will be crucial in shaping market sentiment for the rest of the month.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
