By Adedapo Adesanya
Market bellwether, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, single-handedly returned the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange to gaining ways on Friday by 0.41 per cent.
The milk-producing company recorded a 2.4 per cent or N3 increase at the final session of the week, closing at N130 per share in contrast to N127 per share of the previous session.
This increased the market capitalisation of the bourse by N2.23 billion to N545.50 billion from N543.27 billion and also boosted the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 3.13 points to 767.43 points from 764.30 points.
At the market yesterday, Nigerian Exchange Group depreciated by 6.9 per cent or N1.64 to sell at N22.03 per unit versus the previous N23.67 per share, while CSCS Plc dropped 0.9 per cent or 14 kobo to settle at N16.03 per unit in contrast to N16.17 per unit it finished on Thursday.
During the session, investors exchanged 4.4 million shares compared to 832,014 shares traded the previous trading day, showing a 433.6 per cent increase.
Also, the value of transactions carried out by market participants increased by 505.9 per cent as N108.2 million worth of stocks were exchanged in contrast to N17.9 million worth of stock traded on Thursday.
However, the number of deals went down by 6.1 per cent as 33 deals were made as against the 36 deals executed at the previous session.
These trades came from four companies led by the Nigerian Exchange Group, which accounted for 20 deals, while FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc and Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc recorded five deals apiece, with Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc recording one single deal.
UBN Property Plc closed the session as the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 21.9 million units of its shares worth N24.6 million. CSCS Plc followed with 9.5 million units worth N147.8 million, while Nigerian Exchange Group held the third position with 8.9 million units of its shares worth N211.8 million.
Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc remained as the most traded stock by value (year-to-date) with 2.2 million units of securities traded for N695.1 million. Friesland came next with 3.6 million units of its securities valued at N449.1 billion, followed by VFD Group Plc with 1.3 million units valued at N219.3 million.