The All Share Index (ASI) rose by 98.67 absolute points, representing a gain of 0.20 per cent to close at 49,414.96 points. Accordingly, investors gained N54 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N26.915 trillion.
The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; BUA Foods, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Fidson Healthcare, International Breweries and Pharma-Deko Plc.
Analysts at United Capital Plc, anticipated profit booking activities from short-term investors as they seek to close out positions in strong-performing stocks in the past weeks as bullish momentum shows signs of stuttering.
Vetiva Dealings and Brokerage said: “Barring large volume transactions, we expect quiet sessions this week, as the market continues to trade mixed.”
As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 14 stocks gained relative to 10 losers. Thomas Wyatt Nigeria recorded the highest price gain of 8.77 per cent to close at 62 kobo, per share. International Breweries followed with a gain of 5.81 per cent to close at N4.55, while Pharma-Deko went up by 5.00 per cent to close at N2.10, per share.
LivingTrust Mortgage Bank went up by 4.90 per cent to close at N1.50, while Caverton Offshore Support Group appreciated by 3.45 per cent to close at 90 kobo, per share.
Fidson gained 3.45 per cent to close at N9.30 kobo. CHI Plc garnered 3.39 per cent to close at 61 kobo. GTCO appreciated by 3.35 per cent to close at N21.60 kobo. BUAFoods swelled by 2.52 per cent to close at N65.
Cutix added two per cent to close at N2.04 kobo. AccessCorp gained 1.18 per cent to close at N8.55 kobo. Sterling Bank also lost 74 per cent to close at N1.37 kobo.
On the other hand, PZ Cussons Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 7.26 per cent to close at N11.50, per share. Chams followed with a decline of 4.35 per cent to close at 22 kobo, while UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCREIT) went down by 3.33 to close at N2.90, per share.
FTN Cocoa processors lost 3.23 per cent to close at 30 kobo, while Africa prudential shed 2.73 per cent to close at N5.35, per share. African Prudential shed 2.73 per cent to close at N5.35 kobo.
Vitafoam fell by 2.33 per cent to close at N21. Mansard depreciated by 1.64 per cent to close at N1.80 kobo. FBN Holdings dropped 46 per cent to close at N10.85 kobo. Zenith Bank shed 41 per cent to close at N24. Eterna oil also dropped 33 per cent to close at N6.05 kobo.
However, the total volume traded declined by 26 per cent to 76.749 million units, valued at N1.326 billion, and exchanged in 3,262 deals. Transactions in the shares of GTCO topped the activity chart with 16.606 million shares valued at N352.214 million.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 7.589 million shares worth N55.944 million, while Chams traded 4.152 million shares valued at N914,632. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance traded four million shares valued at N2.440 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 3.776 million shares worth N90.676 million.
