Equities on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) extended negative performance on Monday, as profit-taking activities were witnessed in some financial institution stocks. Specifically, the market capitalization lost N17 billion to close at N25.47 trillion from N25.48 trillion achieved on Friday
Also, the All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.07 percent to close at 47, 251.93 points from 47, 282.67 points recorded on Friday.
The downturn was due to profit takings recorded in financial institutions stocks which included Access Bank, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Company (GTCo), and United Bank for Africa (UBA), and other stocks, Transcorp and AIICO.
The market breadth closed negative as 15 stocks posted gains while 22 declined.
On the price movement chart, Guinness recorded the highest gain of 10 percent to close at N71.50 per share, Royal Exchange Assurance gained 8.33 percent to close at N1.30 per share, Mutual Benefits Assurance followed, appreciating by eight percent to close at 27k per share.
Access Bank was the most traded stock by volume at 27.19 million units, while Zenith Bank was the most traded stock by value N534.68 million.
On sectors, the Banking stocks fell by nine percent and Insurance by seven percent while the Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas indices closed flat. The Consumer Goods gained 0.5 percent.