By Dipo Olowookere
The positive momentum on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was sustained on Friday following the 0.24 per cent growth printed at the close of business.
The All-Share Index (ASI) increased during the session by 82.51 points to 34,885.51 points from 34,803.00 points, while the market capitalisation appreciated by N43 billion to settle at N18.228 trillion as against the previous N18.185 trillion.
Business Post reports that a total of 190.3 million stocks worth N3.3 billion exchanged hands in 3,976 deals compared with the 257.6 million shares worth N3.5 billion transacted in 5,407 deals.
When market activities were brought to an end, Transcorp was the most traded stock as it transacted 37.5 million units worth N37.7 million.
Access Bank traded 22.9 million units for N195.9 million, FBN Holdings exchanged 19.8 million equities valued at N145.7 million, Zenith Bank transacted 15.4 million shares worth N376.3 million, while MTN Nigeria exchanged 11.6 million stocks valued at N1.8 million.
On the price movement chart, MTN Nigeria was the biggest price gainer, adding N2 to its share value to settle at N155 per share.
Unilever Nigeria gained 75 kobo to close at N13.75 per unit, Fidson appreciated by 37 kobo to sell at N5.47 per share, NAHCO improved by 20 kobo to finish at N2.40 per unit, while FBN Holdings appreciated by 15 kobo to close at N7.40 per share.
On the losers’ table, GTBank claimed the number one spot with a price depreciation of 40 kobo to settle at N35 per unit.
Guinness Nigeria depreciated by 30 kobo to finish at N19 per share, Portland Paints dropped 24 kobo to sell at N2.61 per unit, Axa Mansard lost 16 kobo to close at N2.34 per unit, while NEM Insurance declined by 8 kobo to N2.47 per share.
For the performance of the sectors, the consumer goods gained 0.14 per cent, while the energy sector appreciated by 0.06 per cent, with the industrial goods sector closing flat.
However, the insurance index depreciated by 1.93 per cent, while the banking sector declined by 0.23 per cent.