Stock Investors Gain N157bn After Christmas

By Dipo Olowookere

Transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was bullish on Friday after market indices rose by 1.25 percent at the close of business. It was the first trading day after the Christmas break observed on December 25 and 26.

The All-Share Index (ASI) increased during the session by 325.60 points 26,416.48 points 26,090.88 points, while the market capitalisation appreciated by N157 billion N12.753 trillion 12.596 trillion.

However, the activity level was mixed with the volume trades reducing by 31.41 percent to 222.5 million from 324.4 million, while the value of the transactions increased by 83.00 percent to N3.0 billion from N1.7 billion.

Business Post reports that majority of these trades occurred in the banking sector with 148.8 million units worth N1.5 billion executed in 970 deals. Shares in the other financial institutions followed with 21.6 million units valued at N157.6 million executed in 288 deals, while insurance equities traded 14.0 million units worth N11.1 million executed in 172 deals.

At the close of business, a total of 184.4 million financial shares were transacted by investors for N1.7 billion, while consumer goods stocks followed with 17.1 million units valued at N722.0 million.

Access Bank was the most active stock at the market yesterday. A total of 42.0 million units of the lender’s equities valued at N418.4 million exchanged hands during the trading day.

UBA transacted 28.4 million units worth N196.3 million, GTBank traded 22.8 million shares valued at N660.5 million, Jaiz Bank exchanged 22.5 million equities for N14.0 million, while Sterling Bank traded 15.6 million shares worth N29.5 million.

The highest price gainer on Friday was Nestle Nigeria. The stock gained N130 to finish at N1430 per unit and was followed by Stanbic IBTC, which rose by N2.60 to settle at N39 per share.

UAC Nigeria appreciated by 45 kobo to trade at N8.55 per unit, NASCON improved by 40 kobo to sell at N12.90 per share, while UPDC Reit garnered 35 kobo to quote at N4.30 per unit.

On the flip side, Guinness Nigeria led the losers’ chart, depreciating by N2 to close at N30.05 per share, while May & Baker declined by 21 kobo to settle at N1.93 per unit.

Unilever Nigeria depleted by 15 kobo to finish at N22 per share, Sterling Bank lost 11 kobo to end at N1.94 per unit, while Oando went down by 7 kobo to settle at N3.63 per share.