By Dipo Olowookere
Renewed bargain hunting on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited triggered a 0.14 per cent gain at the market on Thursday.
This raised the All-Share Index (ASI) by 64.77 points to 47,272.04 points from 47,207.27 points and pushed the market capitalisation higher by N35 billion to N25.477 trillion from N25.442 trillion.
Unlike the preceding session, the level of activity was better yesterday with the trading volume, value and number of deals rising by 47.70 per cent, 10.44 per cent and 22.98 per cent respectively.
A total of 340.7 million Nigerian stocks worth N3.9 billion were traded in 5,383 deals compared with the 230.7 million local shares worth N3.5 billion transacted in 4,377 deals on Wednesday.
Custodian Investment was the most traded stock with the sale of 39.2 million units worth N282.1 million, Sterling Bank traded 33.4 million units valued at N53.8 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 22.4 million units worth N69.0 million, Access Bank transacted 20.4 million units worth N209.7 million, while United Capital traded 19.1 million units valued at N264.6 million.
The biggest price gainer was eTranzact as it appreciated by 10.00 per cent to N2.42, Learn Africa grew by 9.92 per cent to N2.66, SCOA Nigeria improved by 9.69 per cent to N2.83, Royal Exchange rose by 9.62 per cent to N1.14, while RT Briscoe increased by 8.86 per cent to 86 kobo.
The heaviest price loser was Multiverse as its value went down by 8.00 per cent to 23 kobo, Japaul lost 5.00 per cent to trade at 38 kobo, International Breweries shed 4.55 per cent to sell for N5.25, Chams decreased by 4.35 per cent to 22 kobo, while Honeywell Flour lost 3.87 per cent to settle at N3.73.
During the trading session, the energy index appreciated by 3.85 per cent, the insurance space increased by 1.01 per cent, the consumer goods sector depreciated by 0.61 per cent, the banking counter dropped 0.27 per cent, while the industrial goods sector closed flat.
