By Adedapo Adesanya
Appreciation in the stock prices of Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc and the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc ensured that the bulls remained on the floor of the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange on Tuesday.
It was the first trading session at the OTC Exchange after the public holiday observed on Monday to celebrate Democracy Day in Nigeria. The unlisted securities market appreciated by 0.77 per cent yesterday.
During the session, shares of CSCS increased by 68 kobo or 3.6 per cent to sell at N18.68 per unit compared to N18 per unit of the previous session, while the NGX Group gained 15 kobo or 0.8 per cent to sell for N20.04 per share versus the previous N19.89 per share.
The gains recorded by the two securities expanded the market capitalisation of the bourse by N4.09 billion to close at N534.49 billion in contrast to N530.40 billion it ended last Friday.
Also, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) increased by 5.76 points during the session to finish at 751.95 points as against 746.19 points of the previous session.
During the session, investors increased the volume of securities traded by 75.8 per cent to 6.5 million units from 3.7 million units, while the value of the trades rose by 74.1 per cent to N129.2 million from N74.2 million, with the number of deals rising by 17.2 per cent to 34 deals from 29 deals.
NGX Group was the most active stock by (year-to-date) with the sale of 266.3 million units worth N6.0 billion, followed by Swap Technologies & Telecomms Plc with 46.6 million units worth N41.0 million and CSCS Plc with 30.9 million units worth N483.3 million.
Also, NGX Group was the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 266.3 million units worth N6.0 billion, followed by Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc with 2.9 million units valued at N900.5 million and FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria with 5.9 million units valued at N750.4 million.
