Business
All Share Index Sheds 757.57 Points
At the end of Janu
ary transactions on the floor of the Exchange, All Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 757.57 points to close the month at 40,571.62 points compared to 41,329.19 points reported in December 2013.
Also, market capitalization lost N221 billion to close at N13.01 trillion, as against N13.23 trillion that closed in December.
The volume of traded shares was eight billion, worth N85.84 billion traded by investors in 110,405 deals, compared to 10.04 billion shares worth N71.12 billion which exchanged hands in 90,765 deals in December.
Financial service sector remained the most patronized by investors as 5.71 billion shares, valued at N41.3 billion exchanged hands in 57.099 deals in the sector.
Some financial experts blamed the depreciation of the market indicators to the increase in cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Reports say that the increase in (CRR) resulted in the re-channeling of fund to other sectors by investors who did not want to take unnecessary risks on their investments.
The CBN had on January 21 raised the CRR on public sector deposits including deposits from the three tiers of government from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.