Transactions on the equities sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reopened upbeat as capitalisation rose by N193 billion, amid investors’ appetite for Cadbury Nigeria Plc and 52 stocks.

The all-share index (ASI) gained 305.67 points, representing 0.25 per cent to close at 121,295.33 points. Also, market capitalisation rose by N193 billion to close at N76.532 trillion.

The upturn was driven by price appreciation in large and medium-capitalised stocks amongst which are Cadbury Nigeria, Nigerian Exchange Group, First HoldCo, UACN and Meyer.

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, closed positive as 53 stocks advanced, while 23 declined. Cadbury Nigeria, Ellah Lakes and Tripple Gee & Company emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent each to close at N53.35 kobo, N8.91 kobo and N2.97 kobo respectively.

Red Star Express followed with a gain of 9.92 per cent to close at N9.20 kobo, while Nigerian Exchange Group appreciated by 9.91 per cent to close at N51.

On the other side, Sunu Assurance led others on the losers’ chart with 10 per cent to close at N4.50 kobo. RT Briscoe Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.59 per cent to close at N3.30 kobo, while Prestige Assurance shed 9.09 per cent to close at N1.20 kobo. UPDC depreciated by 8.23 per cent to close at N4.35 kobo while Berger Paints Nigeria dipped by 7.58 per cent to close at N30.50 kobo.

The total volume traded declined by 10.8 per cent to 824.103 million units, valued at N14.439 billion, and exchanged in 24,042 deals. Transactions in the shares of Universal Insurance led the activity with 71.922 billion shares worth N48.942 million. FCMB Group followed with an account of 61.384 million shares valued at N564.777 million, while Japaul Gold & Ventures traded 53.341 million shares valued at N136.083 million.

Access Holdings traded 42.023 million shares worth N942.813 million, while AIICO Insurance traded 40.1 million shares worth N64.841 million.