Domestic equities gain N257bn on first trading day
The bull transition on the floor of Nigerian Exchange NGX on Monday continued with positive growth, gaining N257 billion, amid position taking across the large, mid and small cap stocks.
The growth trend signalling the entrance into a jolly season of the market ahead of the Christmas holidays and the first two trading sessions in the New Year.
Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.26 per cent to N97.193 trillion from N96.936 trillion it closed on Friday.
The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 401.77 basis points to 152459.07 points from 152057.30 points traded the previous day.
The positive performance supported by gains in the shares of FirstHoldco, Presco, Berger Paint, Alex Plc and other 30 companies.
The market breath moved in positive direction with 34 gainers against 19 decliners, bringing year to date return to 48.12 per cent.
Volume of trades declined by 1.052 billion, representing 69.98 per cent , as investors traded 451.524 million shares against 1.504 billion units of shares traded the previous day.
Value of transactions also went down by 40.28 per cent to settle at N13.030 billion.
An analysis of the investment showed that Alex Plc led gainers table with 9.72 per cent to close at N13.55 per unit, International General Insurance followed with 9.69 per cent to close at N2.48 per unit, Mecure gained 9.64 per cent to close at N60.30 per unit, Royal Express added 9.60 per cent to close at N1.94 per share, AustinLaz added 9.50 per cent to close at N2.65 per unit.
On the contrary, ABC Transport and Custodian Insurance topped losers chart, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N3.15 and N35.10 per unit, Prestige insurance down by 7.41 per cent to close at N1.50 per unit, Guinea Insurance dipped by 7.38 per cent to close at N1.13 per unit.
Transactions in the shares of Tantalizer led market activities with 50.179 million shares valued at N127.471 million, FirstHoldco followed with 32.615 million shares cost N1.492 billion, Access Holdings company traded 27.315 million shares worth N562.342 million, Custodian Insurance exchanged 22.096 million shares valued at N857.832 million, Chams Plc traded 21.316 million worth N71.140 million.
