By Dipo Olowookere
The last trading session of this week on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited ended on a positive note on Thursday with a 0.30 per cent growth.
This was boosted by sustained buying interest in mid and large-cap equities, especially in the industrial goods sector, though profit-taking was seen around the banking and consumer goods counters.
Business Post reports that the insurance and industrial goods indices appreciated by 1.32 per cent and 1.23 per cent respectively, while the banking and consumer goods sectors depreciated by 0.65 per cent and 0.11 per cent apiece, with the energy counter closing flat.
When the market closed for the day, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up 142.97 points to 47,510.28 points from 47,367.31 points, while the market capitalisation grew by N77 billion to N25.613 trillion from N25.536 trillion.
The market breadth, according to data from the exchange, further closed positive yesterday with 16 price losers and 21 price gainers led by SFS REIT, which rose by 10.00 per cent to N77.00.
Meyer appreciated by 7.38 per cent to N1.60, UPDC grew by 7.32 per cent to 88 kobo, Chams gained 5.00 per cent to trade at 21 kobo, while Linkage Assurance increased by 4.08 per cent to 51 kobo.
On the flip side, Dangote Sugar posted a 5.09 per cent loss to trade at N15.85, RT Briscoe depleted by 5.00 per cent to 57 kobo, Africa Prudential fell by 4.76 per cent to N6.00, Union Bank declined by 4.62 per cent to N6.20, while Cutix dropped 1.64 per cent to quote at N2.40.
A total of 385.2 million equities worth N4.0 billion exchanged hands in 6,212 deals yesterday compared with the 391.9 million equities worth N10.0 billion transacted in 5,419 deals on Wednesday, indicating a decline in the trading volume and value by 1.71 per cent and 59.58 per cent respectively, while the number of deals increased by 14.63 points.
Fidelity Bank closed the session as the most active stock with a turnover of 74.8 million units worth N282.5 million and was trailed by Sterling Bank, which traded 45.5 million units valued at N64.9 million.
Access Holdings traded 33.9 million stocks valued at N347.3 million, Zenith Bank exchanged 31.1 million equities worth N778.0 million, while African Alliance Insurance sold 26.7 million shares for N5.3 million.
Adedapo Adesanya