The Nigerian Exchange recorded a decline in market capitalisation at the close of trading on Thursday, as the All-Share Index dropped marginally by 0.05 percent.

The total market capitalisation fell to N65.8tn, reflecting a weaker investor sentiment in the equities market.

Also, a total of 310,527,528 shares were exchanged in 10,182 deals, amounting to a market value of N6.24bn. This represents a sharp 77 percent decline in trade volume, a 50 percent drop in turnover, and a 15 percent decline in the number of deals compared to the previous trading session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Out of the 124 stocks that participated in trading, 14 recorded gains, while 28 equities closed in the red. Computer Warehouse Group emerged as the top gainer, appreciating by 9.64 percent to close at N9.10 per share. It was followed by Veritas Kapital Assurance, which gained 8.41 percent to close at N1.16; Deap Capital Management & Trust, which rose by 7.61 percent to close at N0.99; and Wapic Insurance, which appreciated by 4.26 percent to close at N2.45 per share.

On the losing side, Livestock Feeds led the laggards, shedding 9.57 percent to close at N7.65 per share. Royal Exchange followed with an 8.24 percent decline, closing at N0.78, while Custodian & Allied lost 6.98 percent to close at N20.00. UPDC also suffered a 6.23 percent drop to close at N2.86, while Chams Plc and Ellah Lakes Plc recorded losses of 5.16 percent and 4.46 percent, respectively, closing at N2.02 and N3.00 per share.

Fidelity Bank recorded the highest volume of traded shares, 40 million units, followed by Veritas Kapital Assurance, 37.2 million shares. Nigerian Breweries and Zenith Bank also featured among the most active stocks, trading at 27 million and 22.9 million shares, respectively.

Other key indices showed mixed performances, with the Top 30 Index losing 0.02 percent, recording a one-week decline of 1.16 percent but a year-to-date gain of 2.04 percent. The Consumer Goods Index appreciated by 0.39 percent but suffered a 1.01 percent decline over the week. However, it maintained a year-to-date gain of 4.53 percent. The Insurance Index gained 0.13 percent but recorded a weekly decline of 1.9 percent and a year-to-date loss of 4.04 percent. The Main Board Index inched up by 0.02 percent but dropped by 1.37 percent over the week, despite maintaining a year-to-date gain of 0.73 percent.

Additionally, the Industrial Index remained unchanged but reflected a weekly loss of 3.42 percent and a year-to-date decline of 2.31 percent and the Oil & Gas Index also remained flat but showed a one-week decline of 1.75 percent and a year-to-date loss of 8.27 percent.

The PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Exchange extended its losing streak on Wednesday, shedding N289bn in market value as bearish sentiments persisted for the third consecutive trading session.