NSE’s indices sustain rising profile, up by N28b

Transactions on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued  in an upbeat manner yesterday, as virtually all the blue chip stocks appreciated in price, causing market capitalisation to rise further by N28 billion.

Also, volume of shares traded increased significantly, as investors traded 513 million shares worth N6. Billion in 4,243 deals, up from a total of 331.24 million units valued at N5.56 billion that changed hands in 3,231 deals on Wednesday.

29 stocks appreciated in price as Seplat topped the gainers chart with 5.00 kobo to close at N495.00 per share while Seven Up followed with 2.50 kobo to close at N92.50 per share.

International Breweries added 4.13 kobo to close at N53.94 per share. Nestle garnered 1.90 kobo to close at N1301.90 per share. Flourmill appreciated by 0.60 kobo to close at N32.10 per share.

Zenith Bank gained 0.45 kobo to close at N25.00 per share. Cadbury and Dangote Sugar Refinery added 0.38 kobo to close at N11.78 and N15.80 per share respectively.

Access bank garnered 0.24 kobo to close at N10.00 per share. Custodian and Allied gained 0.19 kobo to close at N4.00 per share.

However, 11 stocks constituted the losers’ chart led by Stanbic IBTC with1.50 kobo to close at N40.50 per share while PZ Cussons followed with 1.23 kobo to close at N23.42 per share.

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria lost 0.30 kobo to close at N8.97 per share. Okomu Oil stocks depreciated by 0.20 kobo to close at N68.00 per share. Champion Breweries also shed 0.10 kobo to close at N2.05 per share. National Salt Company of Nigeria dropped 0.09 kobo to close at N15.80 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank lost 0.06 kobo to close at N42.00 per share. Fidson shed 0.04 kobo to close at N3.85 per share. WAPIC also dropped 0.02 kobo to close at N0.50 per share.

Consequently, the All-Share Index rose by 79.99 points or 0.22 per cent to close at 36,688.75 against 36,608.76.  Similarly, the market capitalization, which opened at N12.745 trillion, rose by N28 billion or 0.22 per cent to close at N12.773 trillion.

United Bank for Africa was the toast of investors in volume terms with 116 million shares worth N1.1 billion while Access Bank followed with 98.3 million units worth N987 million.

Zenith Bank accounted for 90 million shares worth N2.2 billion. Tantalizers exchanged 44 million units valued at N22 million. Fidelity Bank also accounted for 36 million shares valued at N59 million.