NGX Index Advances by 0.50% as Ecobank, MTN, Others Gain

By Dipo Olowookere

Buying interests in Ecobank, MTN Nigeria and others lifted the stock market by 0.50 per cent on Monday as investors are having confidence again in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after a wave of selling pressure caused by global uncertainties.

At the market yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) nudged closer to the 52,000 psychological points as it gained 344.12 points to settle at 51,962.85 points compared with the preceding session’s 51,618.73 points.

But the market capitalisation moved to the next level as it appreciated by N186 billion to close the first trading session of the week at N28.014 trillion versus last Friday’s N27.875 trillion.

Data from the exchange showed that the insurance space grew by 1.50 per cent, the banking index gained 0.51 per cent, the energy counter rose by 0.12 per cent, while the consumer goods sector lost 0.56 per cent, with the industrial goods space flat at the close of business.

The activity chart was in the green on Monday as the trading volume expanded by 70.75 per cent to 266.5 million shares from 223.3 million shares, the trading value increased by 41.82 per cent to N2.6 billion to N1.8 billion, while the number of trades improved by 17.12 per cent to 5,050 deals from 4,312 deals.

It was observed that Livingtrust Mortgage Bank emerged as the most traded stock with a turnover of 64.7 million units valued at N77.6 million, trailed by Transcorp with a turnover of 31.8 million units worth N39.7 million. Access Holdings exchanged 29.3 million shares for N275.2 million, Oando sold 27.7 million stocks worth N162.4 million, while UBA transacted 20.6 million equities valued at N152.8 million.

Business Post reports that the market breadth closed positive yesterday with 18 price gainers and 16 price losers, indicating a strong investor sentiment.

Ecobank chalked up 9.79 per cent as the highest price gainer to settle at N10.65, John Holt appreciated by 9.52 per cent to 69 kobo, Linkage Assurance improved by 9.43 per cent to 58 kobo, Okomu Oil jumped by 8.53 per cent to N210.00, while Cornerstone Insurance rose by 6.45 per cent to 66 kobo.

PZ Cussons closed the day as the biggest price decliner after it dropped 10.00 per cent to sell at N11.25, Eterna lost 9.33 per cent to finish at N6.80, RT Briscoe depreciated by 6.25 per cent to 45 kobo, Ardova fell by 5.09 per cent to N13.05, while Nigerian Breweries declined by 3.42 per cent to N57.95.