Transactions at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday maintained a downward trend as investors staked N1.55 billion on 138.55 million shares transacted in 2,796 deals.

It was reported that the volume of shares traded closed lower compared with 186.73 million shares valued N1.77 billion exchanged in 3,257 deals on Thursday. Investors at the close of trading on Wednesday, July 1traded even higher with a total of 323.560 million shares valued at N4.728 billion in 4,090 transactions.

The banking sub-sector was the most active for the third consecutive time as UBA emerged the most traded equity with an exchange of 18.41 million shares worth N86.102 million transacted in 157 deals.

It was trailed by Zenith Bank which accounted for 15.75 million shares worth N305.59 million achieved in 149 deals, while FBN Holdings sold 14.36 million shares valued N114.29 million traded in 260 deals.

Beco Petroleum Products transacted 9.76 million shares worth N4.88 million in one deal and Access Bank sold 9.08 valued N48.70 million exchanged in 246 deals.

Similarly, the All-Share Index lost 200.77 points or 0.61 per cent to close at 32,538.34 compared with 32,739.11 recorded on Thursday due to price losses by major blue chip equities.  The All-Share Index was however higher on Wednesday, July 1 with 32,863.43 points recorded.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N11.176 trillion decreased by N69 billion to close at N11.107 trillion. This was also a downward trend compared with N11.218 trillion recorded on Wednesday, July 1.

Dangote Cement topped the losers' chart, dropping by N2.50 to close at N170 per share.

It was followed by Lafarge Africa with N2 to close at N101, while Nigerian Breweries dipped N1.05 to close at N144 per share.

Seplat lost N1 to close at N342 and Guinness also dropped by N1 to close at N152 per share.

On the other hand, 7UP recorded the highest price gain to lead to gainers' table, appreciating by N7 to close at N190 per share.

Nestle inched N4 to close at N854, while UACN chalked up N1.99 to close at N44.49 per share.

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria grew by 50k to close at N11.50 and Port Land Paint gained 23k to close at N4.90 per share.