Following gains recorded by many blue-chip stocks, especially Stanbic IBTC and Julius Berger, transactions on the equities sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed in an upbeat yesterday, as market capitalisation rose by N158 billion.

At the close of transactions yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.43 per cent to N36.988 trillion from N36.830 trillion it closed yesterday. Also, the All-Share Index (ASI), which measures the performance of quoted companies, appreciated by 67326.12 points from 67037.93 points traded the previous day.

The upturn was impacted by gains in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Stanbic IBTC, Julius Berger, Dangote Sugar Refinery, CAP, Zenith Bank, Accesscorp, Oando and GTCO. As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 27 stocks gained while 23 others constituted the losers’ chart.

Julius Berger led the gainers’ chart, adding 10 per cent to close at N36.30 kobo while CWG followed with a gain of 9.83 per cent to close at N9.50 kobo. Champion Breweries appreciated by 9.76 per cent to close at N3.71 kobo, Oando Plc increased by 9.58 per cent to close at N9.15 kobo while Thomas Wyatts improved by 9.29 per cent to close at N3.06 kobo.

FTN Cocoa appreciated by 6.71 per cent to close at N1.75 kobo while Stanbic IBTC gained 5.56 per cent to close at N76. CAP increased by 5.21 per cent to close at N21.20 kobo.

Fidelity Bank garnered 4.97 per cent to close at N8.45 kobo. Accesscorp improved by 4.95 per cent to close at N16.95 kobo. Omatek also appreciated by 4.95 per cent to close at N16.95 kobo.

On the contrary, Multiverse emerged the day’s highest price loser, shedding 9.49 per cent to close at N2.67 kobo while Unity Bank trailed with a loss of nine per cent to close at 91 kobo.

Lakes fell by 8.05 per cent to close at N4. Nigerian Breweries dipped by 7.38 per cent to close at N38.90 kobo while ETranzact was down by 6.67 per cent to close at N8.40 kobo.

Etranzact shed 6.67 per cent to close at N8.40 kobo. Veritas Kapital dropped four per cent to close at 24 kobo. Fidson shed 3.88 per cent to close at N14.60 kobo. Cornerstone Insurance depreciated by 3.33 per cent to close at N1.45 kobo. Learn Africa fell by 3.23 per cent to close at N3. JapaulGold also lost 3.16 per cent to close at 92 kobo.

On the activity chart, investors traded 377.970 million shares valued at N5.169 billion in 6729 deals against 216.070 million shares worth N3.551 billion in 5965 deals.

Trading in the shares of ETranzact led market activities with 440.694 million shares valued at N370.152 million, United Bank for Africa followed with 42.300 million shares worth N796.358 million.

AccessCorp traded 33.319 million shares for N560.388 million, Fidelity Bank traded 31.200 million shares for N257.179 million while Sterling Bank traded 24.676 million shares for N84.263 million.