In Q3 of 22:Equity investors gain N4.15trn and lose N324bn in Sept

However, on monthly performance, the investors lost over N324 billion in the month of September 2022, as a result of sell-off pressure arising from the rising inflation rate, increased Monetary Policy Rate, MPR,   market sentiments, and other macroeconomic headwinds.

In the month of September the equities market, represented by the NGX All Share Index, ASI, dropped by 1.6 % or 812.05 points from 49,836.21 points it closed in August.

Available data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, at end of trading on Friday revealed that the market capitalisation which represents value of investments on the Exchange rose to N26.451 trillion from N22.296 trillion opening figure on the first trading day in 2022.

The ASI, which measures the entire market return, rose 14.8 per cent Year-to-Date, YtD, at 49,836.51 points from 42,716.24 points at the beginning of the year.

Meanwhile, trading last week revealed that cautious trading dominated the local bourse as ASI ended flattish at 49,024.16 points. Notwithstanding, Nestle Nigeria dropped 10.0% closing limit down and losses in Tier-1 banking stocks undermined the market’s performance.

Reacting on the market performance, analysts at Cordros Research stated: “Considering the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC meeting, we believe the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR hike would drag the banks’ profitability, as downward pressure on net interest margins (NIM) would inhibit earnings growth and may further limit investors’ interest in banking stocks. “Overall, we expect the local bourse to maintain cautious trading sentiments as electioneering activities kick off in full gear.

“However, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the fragility of the macroeconomic environment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings.”

(Punch)