The Nigeria equities market yesterday extended its positive close as gains in MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) and 19 others lifted the benchmark index by 0.50 per cent.
The All Share Index (ASI) rose by 244.98 absolute points, representing a gain of 0.50 per cent to close at 49,233.02 points. Accordingly, investors gained N134 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N26.816 trillion.
The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; MTNN, Chemical Allied Products (CAP), Ardova Plc (AP), Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Zenith Bank.
Also, market breadth closed positive as 20 stocks posted gains while eight declined. CAP recorded the highest price gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N17.80, while AP followed with a gain 9.51 per cent to close at N16.70, per share.
Cornerstone Insurance and Thomas Wyatt Nigeria went up by 8.33 per cent each to close at 52 kobo each, while Learn Africa appreciated by 8.12 per cent to close at N2.13, per share. On the other hand, McNichols led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at 54 kobo, per share. Geregu Power followed with a decline of 8.11 per cent to close at N102.00, while Chams went down by 4.35 to close at 22 kobo, per share. Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) lost 1.91 per cent to close at N20.50, while United Capital shed 1.46 per cent to close at N13.50, per share.
The total volume traded grew by 153.1 per cent to 222.775 million shares, worth N2.129 billion, and traded in 2,756 deals. Transactions in the shares of Sterling Bank topped the activity chart with 153.281 million shares valued at N205.432 million. GTCO followed with 10.466 million shares worth N216.963 million, while Zenith Bank traded 8.691 million shares valued at N200.260 million.
FBN Holdings (FBNH) traded 4.971 million shares valued at N53.534 million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) transacted 4.518 million shares worth N32.949 million.
