Equity market opens bullish, gains N15bn 

The local equity market on Monday opened the week with bull rampaging through the market, growing by N15 billion.

Market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 0.25 per cent to N59.230 trillion from N29.215 trillion reported the previous day.

The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 24.99 basis points to 97747.27 points from 97722.28 points it closed on Friday.

 The year-to-date return increased to 30.72 per cent as 29 companies closed in green while 21 firms recorded negative performance

A review of market activities showed that JohnHolt led gainers’ table with 9.97 per cent to close at N8.49 per unit, Eunisell and Betaglass followed with a gain of 9.92 per cent each to close at N13.18 and N48.85 per share respectively, Wapco added 9.52 per cent to close at N46.00 per unit, Tantalizer increased by 9.33 per cent to close at N0.82 per share. 

On the contrary, Mecure topped losers’ chart, dropping 9.65 per cent to close at N11.70 per unit, TIP trailed with a loss of 9.09 per cent to close at N2.30 per unit, Thomas Way dipped by 8.85 per cent to close at N1.75 per unit, UPL down by 7.83 per cent to close at N3.65 per share while Champion Breweries dipped by 6.88 per cent to close at N3.52 per unit.

The volume of trades increased by 118.199 million, representing 40.04 per cent as investors traded 413.350 million shares valued at N5.836 billion in 9004 deals against 293.191 million shares worth N6.768 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 8433 deals.

Japaul Gold led market activities, exchanging 179.098 million shares valued at N379.738 million, Conhall Plc followed with account of 36.839 million shares cost N75.190 million, Access Holdings Plc traded 31.657 million shares valued at N775.546 million, United Bank for Africa exchanged 17.343 million shares valued at N580.551 million, United Capital traded 10.176 million shares cost N171.304 million