Domestic equities gain N917bn

The local equities market on Tuesday closed northward, appreciating by N917 billion as gains in some capitalised stocks lifted trading for the day.

Market capitalization of listed equities up by 0.57 per cent to close at N161.279 trillion from N160.362 trillion reported the previous day.

The NGX All Share Index also went up by 1431.59 basis points to 251636.42 points from 250204.83 points recorded on Monday.

Although the market breath was negative with 33 decliners against 26 advancers, gains in the shares of Zenith Bank, BuaCement, FirstHoldco, Zichis Agro Allied industries, UBA among others boosted trading activities, thereby brining year to date return to 61.71 per cent.

A review of the trading for the day showed that FTNCocoa led gainers table with 10 per cent, to close at N9.79 per unit, Zichis Plc followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N29.13 per unit, SkyAVN added 9.79 per cent to close at N156.95 per share, Caverton Business Solutions up by 9.76 per cent to close at N6.75 per share. Japaul Gold grows by 9.73 per cent to close at N3.72 per share.

On the contrary, Unilever Nigeria Plc topped losers chart, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N153.00 per unit, TransExpress trailed with a drop of 9.92 per cent to close at N6.99 per share, Sovereign Trust Insurance down by 9.81 per cent to close at N2.39 per unit, Mcnichols declined 9.26 per cent to close at N7.25 per share, AustinLaz fell by 7.28 per cent to close at N4.20 per share.

Volume of trades declined by 96.511 million, representing 12.06 per cent as investors traded 793.952 million shares against 800.463 million reported the previous day. The valued of transactions decrease by 13.22 per cent to settle at N32.148 billion against N37.045 on Monday in 6227 deals.