Following price losses suffered by most blue chip companies, especially Seplat, and international Breweries, transactions on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), closed on a downward note yesterday, as market capitalisation dipped by N101billion.

Specifically, at the end of transactions yesterday, 37 stocks recorded price depreciation, led by Seplat with 13.50 kobo to close at N657.90 per share, while International Breweries followed with 2.85 kobo to close at N57.00 per share.

Dangote Cement lost 2.00 kobo to close at N257.00 per share. WAPCO depreciated by 1.30 kobo to close at N50.00 per share. Julius Berger dipped by 1.10 kobo to close at N24.85 per share.

Zenith Bank lost 0.80 kobo to close at N31.35 per share. African Prudential dropped 0.49 kobo to close at N4.70 per share. Union Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank dropped 0.35 kobo each to close at N6.65 and N49.00 per share respectively. UCAP also shed 0.24 kobo to close at N3.85 per share.

On the other hand, 18 stocks constituted the gainers’ chart, as Nestle emerged the day’s highest price gainer with 22.00 kobo to close at N1,400 per share, while Total followed with 15 kobo to close at N232.00 per share.

Mobil added 3.40 kobo to close at N183.90 per share. Conoil appreciated by 3.15 kobo to close at N35.25 per share. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria gained 1.35 kobo to close at N18.20 per share.

National Salt Company of Nigeria appreciated by 0.40 kobo to close at N22.00 per share. May & Baker gained 0.24 kobo to N2.95 per share.

Consequently, market capitalisation of listed equities dropped by N101billion or 0.7 per cent to N15.179trillion from N15.280 billion achieved on Monday.

Similarly, the All-share index, which measures the performance of listed equities dipped by 279.92 points from 42,579.48 to 42,299.56.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria was investors’ delight with 45 million shares worth N93million, while Diamond Bank followed with 43 million units worth N105million.