Equity market gains N171 bn
The domestic equity market on Thursday sustained growth trend, appreciating by N171 billion as bulls dominated trading activities.
Market capitalization of listed equities increased by 0.19 per cent to N90.751 trillion from N90.580 trillion it closed the previous day.
The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 268.97 basis points to 142979.45 points from 142710.48 points traded the previous day.
Volume of trades went up by 4.993 billion, representing 402.66 per cent as investors traded 6.233 billion units of shares against 1.240 billion the previous day. Value of transactions up by 82.57 per cent to settle at N54.451 billion against N29.824 billion the previous day in 32682 deals.
The positive performance recorded during the day was driven by gains in the shares of MTN Nigeria, Eterna Plc, Nigerian Breweries, GTCO, Aradel Plc, Custodian Insurance among others.
The market breath was positive with 33 gainers against 26 losers, bringing year to date return to 38.91 per cent.
An analysis of the trading showed that PZ Cusson led gainers table with 10 per cent to close at N37.98 per unit, Eterna Plc followed with a gain of 9.94 per cent to close at N37.05 per share, Champion Breweries Plc gainers 9.82 per cent to close at N15.10 per unit, Tantalizer added 5.96 per cent to close at N2.49 per unit, AIICO Insurance up by 5.43 per cent to close at N3.69 per unit.
On the contrary, RTBriscoe topped losers’ chart, dropping by 9.89 per cent to close at N3.37 per unit, Thomas Way trailed with a loss of 9.82 per cent to close at N3.58 per share, Sovereign Trust Insurance down by 9.33 per cent to close at N2.72 per unit, International General Insurance dipped 7.78 per cent to close at N3.08 per unit, Berger Paint down by 7.18 per cent to close at N36.20 per unit.
Trading in the shares of Cornerstone Insurance led market activities with 5.448 billion valued at N25.063 billion, United Bank for Africa followed with account of 152.143 million shares cost N6.542 billion, Wema Bank traded 152.047 million shares cost N2.516 billion, FirstHoldco exchanged 111.797 million shares valued at N3.487 billion while Zenith Bank traded 47.090 million cost N3.266 billion.
