Following sustained bargain hunting in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks, especially BUA Foods and Cadbury, the capital market continued its uptrend, yesterday, as the all-share index (ASI) increased further by 0.3 per cent.
At the close of trading yesterday, the market capitalisation of listed equities increased by N75 billion to close at N28.442 trillion from.N28.367 trillion reported the previous day. Also, the ASI appreciated by 138.26 basis points or 0.3 per cent to 52235.88 points from 52097.62 points recorded on Tuesday.
The market gain was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are BUA Foods, Cadbury, PZ Cussons, Eterna, National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) and Honeywell.
On the price movement chart, Honey Well Flour Mills Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ chart, adding 10 per cent to close at N3.08 kobo, Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of 9.82 per cent to close at N12.30 kobo. Niemeth International Pharmaceutical Plc added 9.52 per cent to close at N1.38 kobo, Fidson healthcare gained 9.29 per cent to close at N9.29 kobo, Academy Press was up by 9.09 per cent to close at N1.56 kobo.
PZ Cussons added 7.47 per cent to close at N12.95 kobo. Multiverse appreciated by 6.80 kobo to close at N2.67 kobo. BUA Foods gained 5.88 per cent to close at N108. Trans National Corporation improved by 5.76 per cent to close at N3.12 kobo.
Eterna added 5.08 per cent to close at N6.20 kobo. Livestock garnered 4.55 per cent to close at N1.15 kobo. Chams increased by four per cent to close at 26 kobo. Mansard also gained 3.81 per cent to close at N2.45 kobo.
However, Nigerian Breweries topped the losers’ chart, declining by 10 per cent to close at N32.85kobo while International Energy Insurance followed with a loss of 9.49 per cent to close at N1.24 kobo. Redstarex dropped by 8.93 per cent to close at N2.55 kobo. Berger Paint was down by 7.19 per cent to close at N7.10 kobo. Lasaco Insurance dipped 5.04 per cent to N1.13 kobo
AIICO shed 3.45 per cent to close at 56 kobo. Accesscorp lost 3.38 per cent to close at N10. FTN Cocoa depreciated by 3.23 per cent to close at 30 kobo. Sterling Bank dropped 2.98 per cent to close at N1.63 kobo. Ikeja Hotel dipped by 2.42 per cent to close at N1.61 kobo. International Breweries plunged by 2.08 per cent to close at N4.70 kobo. Unity Bank shed 1.82 per cent to close at 54 kobo. Fidelity Bank lost 1.14 per cent to close at N5.20 kobo.
Investors traded 2.334 billion shares valued at N17.618 billion in 6958 deals against 6.476 million shares worth N19.471 billion in 5109 deals.
Transactions in the shares of Access Corp led the activity chart with1.231 billion shares worth N12.51 billion while Transcorps followed with 873.594 million shares valued at N2.75 billion.
Japaul Gold traded 45.313 million shares worth N17.279 million, United Bank for Africa sold a total of 26.169 million shares valued at N205.879 million Fidelity Bank traded 24.967 million shares worth N131.583 million.
