Investors in the Nigerian equities market lost N1.3 trillion at the close of trading on Monday to halt 17 consecutive days of profit-making.

This followed a dip in the share prices of stocks such Trans Expr, First HoldCo and UBA , among others on the trading floor.

The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) decreased to 223,602.29 points from the 225,722.49 points recorded on the previous trading day.

After five hours of trading on the capital market, equity capitalisation fell to N143.9 trillion from N145.3 trillion posted by the bourse on Friday.

The market breadth was negative, with 36 stocks advancing, 40 declining, and 73 remaining unchanged in 82,838 deals.

A total of 678,174,325 shares were traded, valued at N44.1 billion.

Abbey Mortgage Bank, Zichis and Wema Bank led the gainers’ chart, with 9.26%, 8.91% and 8.80 growth each in share prices, respectively, to close at N5.90, N16.99 and N34.00 per share, up from N5.40, N15.60, and N31.25 per share.

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Trans Expr, First HoldCo and UBA led other price decliners, with 10% declines each, respectively, to close at N7.11, N67.50, and N49.50 per share, down from N7.90, N75.00, and N55.00 per share, respectively.

On the volume index, Zenith Bank led trading with 76 million shares in 8,889 deals, followed by Wema Bank, which traded 49 million shares in 1, 934 deals.

Access Holding traded 39 million shares in 3, 167 deals.

On the value index, Zenith Bank traded stocks valued at N9.5 billion in 8, 889 deals, followed by MTN Nigeria, which traded equities worth N4.2 billion in 5,566 deals.

Aradel traded shares valued at N3.5 billion in 2,468 deals.

By: Babajide OkeowoÂ