Equities market gains N97bn

Nigerian equities market on Thursday sustained its upward momentum, gaining N97 billion as gains in UACN, GTCO, Wapco lifted trading activities.

Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.10 per cent to N92.725 trillion from N92.628 trillion reported the previous day.

The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 150.28 basis points to 145476.15 points from 145325.87 points it closed on Wednesday.

The rally was powered by sharp gains in 25 listed companies which collectively outweighed losses recorded by 29 decliners, thereby bringing year to date return higher 41.34 per cent

An analysis of the transaction showed that UACN led gainers table with 10 per cent to close at N88.00 per unit, Morrison followed with a gain of 9.94 per cent to close at N3.54 per unit, Ecobank Transnational incorporated added 8.53 per cent to close at N36.90 per share, Wapic Insurance added 8.47 per cent to close at N2.56 per share, Mansard Insurance up by 7.75 per cent to close at N13.90 per unit.

Conversely, EllahLakes and Eunisell topped losers’ chart, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N13.14 and N72.90 per unit respectively. TranscoHozel trailed with a loss of 9.95 per cent to close at N157.90 per unit, Omatek down by 9.23 per cent to close at N1.18 per share, Guinea Insurance fell by 8.46 per cent to close at N1.19 per share.

Volume of trades declined by 318.00 million, representing 14.13 per cent as investors traded 1.932 billion units of shares against 2.250 billion reported the previous day. Value of transactions also declined by 8.47 per cent to settle at N19.192 billion in 23369 deals.

Trading in the shares of Etranzact led market activities with 1.583 billion shares valued at N6.370 billion, Fidelity Bank followed with account of 31.013 million shares worth N589.299 million, GTCO Plc traded 28.285 million shares worth N2.489 billion, Zenith Bank exchanged 27.101 million shares worth N1.630 billion while ETI sold a total of 21.877 million shares cost N744.255 million.