Investors Gain N18bn as NSE Index Rises 0.13%

By Dipo Olowookere

Investors trading stocks in Nigeria recorded an N18 billion gain on Thursday following the 0.13 per cent growth achieved by the market.

The positive momentum recorded yesterday pushed the All-Share Index (ASI) up by 33.28 points to 25,204.60 points from 25,171.32 points and raised the market capitalisation by N18.0 billion to N13.149 trillion from N13.131 trillion.

During the session, a total of 179.5 million stocks were traded by market participants, 0.26 per cent lower than the 180.0 million shares transacted the previous day.

Also, the number of deals executed by investors reduced by 1.71 per cent to 3,055 deals from 3,108 deals, while the value of the trades increased by 64.42 per cent to N2.5 billion from N1.5 billion.

Transcorp was the most traded stock during the session, transacting 35.5 million units valued at N21.5 million and was followed by GTBank, which traded 29.9 million units worth N755.9 million.

LASACO transacted 11.9 million shares worth N3.5 million, FBN Holdings exchanged 10.0 million equities valued at N49.9 million, while the Zenith Bank transacted N9.7 million shares for N163.5 million.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed transactions on Thursday with 17 price gainers and 11 price losers, leaving the market breadth positive.

CAP was the highest price gainer, adding 85 kobo to its share price to finish at N16.15 per unit, while Stanbic IBTC improved by 50 kobo to end at N34.50 per unit.

International Breweries appreciated by 30 kobo to end at N3.30 per share, GlaxoSmithKline gained 25 kobo to sell for N5.10 per share, while Fidson appreciated by 25 kobo to quote at N3.96 per share.

On the losers’ chart, Studio Press fell by 19 kobo to finish at N1.79 per share, UAC Property lost 9 kobo to sell for 86 kobo per share, Union Homes REIT went down by 5 kobo to quote at N40.65 per unit, UBA depreciated by 5 kobo to settle at N6.65 per share, while ABC Transport depreciated by 4 kobo to trade at 43 kobo per share.

Yesterday, only the insurance index, of the five key sub-sectors of the market, closed in red with a depreciation of 0.23 per cent.

The consumer goods counter appreciated by 0.52 per cent, the industrial goods space went up by 0.03 per cent, while the banking index gained 0.18 per cent, with the energy index closing flat.