By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange returned to the bullish zone on Friday, October 30 as it gained 0.39 per cent, driven by the positive price movements in three companies led by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, which grew by N5 or 4.0 per cent to N125 per unit from N120 per unit.
It was followed by NASD Plc, which closed higher by N1.67 or 8.7 per cent to N19.17 per unit from N17.50 per unit it traded a day earlier, and Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc, which appreciated by 83 kobo or 0.4 per cent to close at N227.34 per share in contrast to the previous day’s N226.51 per share.
The growth posted by these stocks added N2.37 billion to the market capitalisation of the bourse, which closed the day at N617.04 billion versus the preceding day’s N614.67 billion.
Also, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) ended in positive territory as a result of the growth triggered by the trio, climbing by 2.87 points to wrap the session at 746.86 points compared with 743.99 points of the previous session.
However, the market was not without a price decliner as the stock price of Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc went down by 68 kobo or 3.4 per cent to close at N17.22 compared to N17.90 it closed on Thursday.
During the trading day, there was an increase in the volume of securities traded by investors as a total of 1.4 million units were exchanged compared to the previous trading day’s 116,046 units, indicating an increase by 1,089.5 per cent.
In the same vein, the value of the transactions appreciated by 1,047.5 per cent to N94.9 million from N8.3 million, while the number of deals increased by 127.3 per cent to 25 deals from the 11 deals executed a day earlier.
At the close of business, Food Concepts Plc remained as the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) as it has traded 11.4 billion units of its shares for N14.4 billion. Lighthouse Financial Services Plc was in second place with 1.1 billion units traded for N546.1 million, while Geo Fluids Plc was in third place with 1.0 billion units worth N700.1 million.
Also, Food Concepts Plc was the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with the sale of 11.4 billion units for N14.4 billion. The now exited Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc remained in the second spot with 456.5 million units valued at N9.2 billion, while the third spot was occupied by VFD Group Plc with 10.4 million units worth N3.5 billion.
Modupe Gbadeyanka