NASD Index Grows to All-Year High of 785.15 points

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange set a new record on Friday, April 23 after it appreciated by 2.9 per cent at the close of the session.

The NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) rose by 22.01 points to end the day at 785.15 points as against 763.14 points it recorded at the previous session.

Also, the market capitalisation increased by N15.65 billion to close at N558.09 billion compared with N542.44 billion it finished on Thursday.

These gains were buoyed by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Plc, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc and the Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc.

Friesland appreciated by N12.70 or 10 per cent to sell for N139.70 per unit compared to the previous N127 per unit, NGX Group grew by N1.78 or 9.8 per cent to end the day at N19.99 per share as against the previous N18.21 per share, while CSCS Plc gained 65 kobo or 4.1 per cent to sell for N16.65 per unit in contrast to N16 per unit of the prior session.

On the activity chart, the volume of securities stood at 25.0 million units, 180.9 per cent higher than the 8.9 million units of the preceding day.

Also, the value of shares transacted by investors increased by 206.8 per cent to N503.4 million from N164.1 million, while the number of deals reduced by 2.33 per cent to 42 deals from 43 deals.

NGX Group recorded 33 deals, followed by Friesland with seven deals, CSCS Plc with one deal and the Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc also with a single deal.

Also, NGX Group was the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 73.5 million units of its shares worth N1.4 billion. It was trailed by CSCS Plc with 25.5 million units of its securities valued at N390.0 million and UBN Property Plc with 21.9 million units valued at N24.6 million.

In the same vein, NGX Group was the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 73.5 million units worth N1.4 billion. NDEP Plc trailed with 2.3 million units worth N703.6 million, while Friesland held the third position with 4.1 million units worth N518.9 million.