NGX rebounds as capitalisation rises by N11 billion

The Nigerian equities market halted its three consecutive days of losses yesterday, as a result of renewed appetite in some blue-chip stocks, causing investors’ wealth to appreciate by N11 billion.

Consequently, the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) grew by 21.44 absolute points, representing a rise of 0.06 per cent, to close at 38,874.13 points. Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value gained N11 billion to close at N20.254 trillion.

The market positive performance was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are; Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Flour Mills of Nigeria, NAHCO, Oando and Pharma Deko.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said: “In the final trading session, we expect the local bourse to extend the positive momentum as investor sentiment continues to build up.”

The market breadth closed positively, recording 16 gainers as against 12 losers. NAHCO recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N3.52 kobo.

Pharm Deko followed with a gain of 9.55 per cent to close at N1.95 kobo. Veritas Kapital Assurance went up 9.52 per cent to close at 23 kobo. Cornerstone Insurance appreciated by 9.43 per cent to close at 58 kobo.

Chams appreciated by 4.76 per cent to close at 22 kobo. On the other hand, Sovereign Trust Insurance led the losers’ chart, adding 4.17 per cent to close at 23 kobo while UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) followed with a decline of 3.68 per cent to close at N1.83 kobo.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) lost 2.83 per cent to close at N5.15 kobo. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) declined by 2.17 per cent to close at 90 kobo while Prestige Assurance shed 2.08 per cent to close at 47 kobo.

However, the total volume of trades fell by 19 per cent to 125.797 million units, valued at N1.266 billion, and exchanged in 2,990 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Mutual Benefits Assurance topped the activity chart with 13.715 million shares valued at N4.115 million. United Capital followed with 11.462 million shares worth N97.614 million, while GTCO traded 9.948 million shares valued at N270.928 million.

Zenith Bank traded 9.201 million shares valued at N210.477 million, while Transcorp transacted 7.573 million shares worth N6.878 million.