Investors Gain N44b After 0.37% Growth in NSE Index

By Dipo Olowookere

Equities trading was boosted on Thursday after the benchmark index improved by 0.37 percent after the previous day’s loss.

During the session yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 120.2 basis points to close at 32,228.50 basis points, while the market capitalisation went up by N44 billion to finish at N11.766 trillion.

A total of 19 equities appreciated in price during Thursday trading day, while 15 stocks suffered losses at the close of transactions.

Nestle Nigeria was the day’s biggest price gainer, adding N20 to its share value to finish at N1450 per share.

Following was Presco, which improved by N1.75k to end at N66.25k per share, and CAP, which went up by 85 kobo to quote at N26.60k per share.

GTBank rose by 45 kobo to settle at N37.50k per share, while Union Bank appreciated by 40 kobo to end at N5.30k per share.

On the flip side, Mobil Nigeria suffered the heaviest loss after going down by N11.70k to settle at N151 per share.

CCNN closed at N18.25k per share yesterday after losing N2, while Flour Mills depreciated by N1.55k to close at N15.25k per share.

Red Star Express declined by 25 kobo to settle at N4.25k per share, while Vitafoam fell by 23 kobo to end at N3.23k per share.

Business Post reports that despite the market closing bullish on Thursday, the volume and value of shares transacted went down by 55.54 percent and 71.56 percent respectively.

A total of 200.1 million equities worth N2.7 billion were traded by investor yesterday compared with the 450.1 million shares valued at N9.4 billion transacted the previous day.

On the activity chart, Access Bank came top with a total of 81.3 million units sold for N649.9 million.

It was followed by FBN Holdings, which sold 31.7 million shares worth N235 million, and FCMB, which transacted 10.6 million equities valued at N17.8 million.

Regency Assurance exchanged 8.7 million equities for N1.7 million, while Africa Prudential traded 8.5 million shares for N30 million.

At the close of the trading day, financial stocks emerged as the most traded, exchanging 166.6 million units worth N1.2 billion. It was followed by the consumer goods stocks, which sold 10.2 million units valued at N1.4 billion.