Equity market gains N158bn

The nation’s equity market on Tuesday returned to bullish trend, gaining N158 billion, following gains recorded by small and medium stocks.

Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.43 per cent to N36.988 trillion from N36.830 trillion it closed Monday.

The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 67326.12 points from 67037.93 points traded the previous day.

An analysis of the investment showed that Julius Berger led gainers table during the day, in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to N36.30 per share, CWG followed with a gain of 9.83 per cent to N9.50 per unit, Champion Breweries gained 9.76 per cent to N3.71 per unit, Oando Plc increased by 9.58 per cent to close at N9.15 per share while Thomas Way up by 9.29 per cent to close at N3.06 per share.

On the contrary, Multiverse recorded the highest loss in percentage terms, declining by 9.49 per cent to close at N2.67 per unit, Unity Bank trailed with a loss of 9.00 per cent to close at N0.91 per unit, Ellah Lakes fell by 8.05 per cent to N4.00, Nigerian Breweries dipped by 7.38 per cent to N38.90 per unit while ETranzact down by 6.67 per cent to close at N8.40 per share.

Volume of transactions increased by 161.90 million, representing 74.92 per cent as investors traded 377.970 million shares valued at N5.169 billion in 6729 deals against 216.070 million shares worth N3.551 billion in 5965 deals.

Trading  in the shares of ETranzact led market activities with 440.694 million shares valued at N370.152 million, United Bank for Africa followed with account of 42.300 million shares worth N796.358 million, AccessCorp traded 33.319 million shares cost N560.388 million, Fidelity Bank traded 31.200 million shares cost N257.179 million while Sterling Bank traded 24.676 million shares cost N84.263 million.