The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened July with a sharp decline, shedding N2.39 trillion in market capitalization as profit-taking weighed heavily on the market's largest constituents.

The All-Share Index dropped 3.7 points in the session, marking a continuation of the selling pressure that has defined the local equity landscape in recent weeks.

The sell-off was concentrated among heavyweight stocks, with investors moving to lock in gains or cut losses following a turbulent period.

The broad-based decline reflects a cautious sentiment among market participants, who are navigating ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and liquidity constraints.

The immediate pressure on the NGX-30 index suggests that large-cap stocks remain vulnerable to shifts in investor risk appetite.

This early July weakness follows a historic June for the Nigerian market, which recorded its most severe monthly decline on record.