Trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) sustained rising profile yesterday, as market capitalisation appreciated by N374.1 billion,.amid gains in 43 stocks.

The market capitalisation of listed equities rose from N162.6 trillion at the close of trading on Tuesday to N163.06 trillion.

Similarly, the benchmark NGX All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 576.36 points, rising from 250,614.66 points to 251,191.02 points.

The gain translated to a 0.23 per cent increase in the index, extending the positive momentum recorded in the market.

Market breadth was positive, with 43 equities recording price gains compared with 20 decliners, indicating stronger buying interest across several stocks.

On the price movement chart, Eterna led the gainers’ chart, appreciating by 10 per cent from N35 to N38.50 kobo.

Thomasway followed with a 9.88 per cent gain, rising from N2.53 kobo to N2.78 kobo while CMFC advanced 9.76 per cent from N2.46 kobo to N2.70 kobo.

HMCALL gained 9.7 per cent to close at N3.28 kobo, while Omatek appreciated by 9.63 per cent to close N1.48 kobo.

John Holt rose by 9.59 per cent to close at N8. Sovereign Trust Insurance gained 8.60 per cent to close at N2.40 kobo.

Honeywell Flour also recorded strong buying interest, appreciating by 7.67 per cent to close at N16.85 kobo, while Guinea Insurance and Transcorp Exchange gained 7.14 per cent each to close at 75 kobo and N3.

Other notable gainers included May & Baker, which rose by 5.90 per cent to close at N41.30 kobo. Legend International Holdings increased by 5.88 per cent to close at N3.60 kobo while AIICO Insurance appreciated by 5.07 per cent to close at N3.94 kobo.

On the other hand, Caverton led the decliners, shedding 9.09 per cent to close at N4.

UPL followed with nine per cent decline from to close at N4.55 kobo. WAPIC Insurance fell 6.3 per cent to N2.23 kobo.

Veritas Kapital Assurance declined by 5.45 per cent to close at N1.04 kobo. UCAP dropped by five per cent to close at N17.10 kobo.

The sectoral indices also reflected the generally positive market sentiment.

The NGX banking index rose to 2,748.63 points from 2,725.39 points, while the NGX Insurance Index increased to 1,093.23 points from 1,081.54 points.

The NGX consumer goods index advanced to 4,092.56 points from 4,085.44 points, while the NGX Industrial Index rose to 10,463.54 points from 10,479.35 points, indicating a marginal decline on the day. The NGX oil & gas index increased to 6,014.43 points from 6,001.75 points to 6,014.43 points.