Dangote cement, International Breweries others lift NSE’s indices by N148b

Following heavy price gains recorded by virtually all the blue chip stocks especially Dangote Cement and International Breweries, trading in the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a high note yesterday, as market capitalisation appreciated further by N148 billion.

Specifically, at the close of trading yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities increased by N148billion or 1.0 per cent from N13.499trillion recorded on Tuesday to N13.647trillion. Also the All-share index rose by 416.78 points from 37,933.86 to 38,350.64.Dangote Cement emerged the day’s highest price gainer, adding 9.00 kobo to close at N238.00 per share. International Breweries followed with 2.20 kobo to close at N54 .00 per share.

Seplat added 0.95 kobo to close at N568.00 per share. EcoBank TransNational Incorporated gained 0.70 kobo to close at N17.20 per share. Berger Paint appreciated by 0.40 kobo to close at N8.49 per share.

Redstar Express garnered 0.24 kobo to close at N5.12 per share. Access Bank gained 0.18 kobo to close at N10.20 per share. FBN Holdings appreciated by 0.15 kobo to close at N9.00 per share.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company increased by 0.14 kobo to close at N4.07. United Bank of Nigeria added 0.11 kobo to close at N10.35 per share. Dangote Flour also added 0.06 kobo to close at N12.00 per share.

However, Nestle topped the losers’ chart with 29.79 kobo to close at N1465.21 per share, while Total lost 11.00 kobo to close at N219.00 per share. Nigerian Breweries dropped 1.53 kobo to close at N140.53 per share.Dangote Sugar Refinery lost 1.18 kobo to close at N19.34 per share. May and Baker shed 0.12 kobo to close at N2.62 per share.

On the activity chart, AIICO Insurance was the toast of investors’ with 210 million shares worth N109million, while TransNational Corporation exchanged 93 million units worth N132million.

Fidelity Bank accounted for 23 million shares valued at N53million. First City Monument Bank traded 13 million units worth N17.5million. United Bank for Africa recorded 12 million shares worth N133million.In all, investors’ exchanged 429 million shares worth N1.5billion in 3,240 deals up from 203 million units worth N3.4billion exchanged in 4,873 deals on Tuesday.