The Nigerian stock market closed on a negative note on Tuesday, shedding about ₦4 billion in market capitalisation as cautious sentiment dominated trading activities.
The All-Share Index (ASI) fell marginally by 6.27 points, or 0.004%, to close at 147,710.96 points, while the market capitalisation dipped to ₦93.757 trillion from ₦93.761 trillion recorded in the previous session.
The downturn was driven by losses in several medium and large-cap stocks, including Fidson Healthcare, Berger Paints Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Dangote Sugar Refinery, and NASCON Allied Industries.
Market sentiment remained weak, with 36 losers outpacing 23 gainers, reflecting broad investor caution.
Among the top performers, Regency Alliance Insurance led the gainers’ chart with an 8.82% increase to close at ₦1.48 per share. Prestige Assurance followed with a 6.71% rise to ₦1.75, while Wapic Insurance advanced 6.45% to close at ₦3.30 per share.
Other notable gainers included Legend Internet, which gained 5.45% to close at ₦5.80, and CWG Plc, up 4.74% to ₦18.80 per share.
On the flip side, Austin Laz & Company topped the losers’ chart, dropping 7.94% to ₦2.90 per share. Deap Capital Management & Trust and Fidson Healthcare both fell 6.67% to close at ₦1.68 and ₦40.60, respectively. Caverton Offshore Support Group declined 6.35% to ₦6.49, while Berger Paints Nigeria lost 5.92% to ₦36.55 per share.
Overall trading activity was subdued, with the total volume of shares traded falling by 20.73% to 495.10 million units, valued at ₦17.34 billion, exchanged in 8,103 deals.
Fidelity Bank emerged as the most traded stock, with 50.90 million shares worth ₦1.02 billion changing hands. It was followed by Chams Holding Company with 37.36 million shares valued at ₦157.75 million, and Tantalizer Plc, which traded 36.69 million shares worth ₦85.25 million.
Other active stocks included Access Holdings, which traded 30.16 million shares valued at ₦784.60 million, and Sovereign Trust Insurance, with 21.73 million shares worth ₦76.67 million.
The session’s muted performance reflects investors’ continued cautious approach amid mixed market signals and sectoral profit-taking.
