Equities market gains N542bn

The domestic equities market on Monday opened week on a positive note, appreciating by N542 billion as bulls dominated trading activities during the day.

The market capitalization of listed equities appreciated by 0.55 per cent to N98.432 trillion from N97.890 trillion reported the previous day.

The NGX All Share Index also increased by 849.70 basis points to 154389.53 points from 153539.83 points it closed in Christmas eve.

The market rally was driven by gains in the shares of MTN Nigeria,Guinness Nigeria Plc, Wapco Nigerian, Access Holdings, GTCO Plc, Eunisell and other 35 companies.

The market breath was position ve with 41 advances outweighing 37 decliners, bring year to date return to 50.0 per cent.

An analysis of the investment showed that AustinLaz and Ecobank Transnational incorporated led gainers table with 10 per cent each, to close at N3.52 and N41.80 per unit respectively. Eunisell followed with a gain of 9.95 per cent to close at N96.70 per share, Honey Well Flour added 9.86 per cent to close at N19.50 per unit, Guinness Nigeria Plc gained 9.82 per cent to close at N349.90 per unit.

On the contrary, International General Insurance topped losers chart, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N2.34 per unit, Meyer Paint trailed with a drop of 9.92 per cent to close at N11.80 per share, Entranzact dipped by 9.92 per cent to close at N11.35 per share, Livestock Feeds declined by 9.60 per cent to close at N5.65 per share, while C and I Leasing fell by 8.06 per cent to close at N5.70 per share.

Volume of trades declined by 300.0 million, representing 17.18 per cent as investors traded 1.446 billion shares against 1.746 billion reported previously.

Value of transactions went higher by 17.46 per cent to settle at N35.292 billion in 47536 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Access Holdings Company led market activities with 594.317 million shares valued at N12.361 billion, Champion Breweries followed with account of 121.886 million shares cost N1.837 billion, FCMB group traded 116.542 million shares cost N1.259 billion, Japaul Gold traded 66.155 million shares worth N155.252 million, FirstHoldco exchanged 51.407 million shares worth N2.562 billion.