Equities Extend Gains, Up By N144bn

Nigerian equities delivered a positive performance yesterday and extended gains from the previous session. The overall capitalisation rose by N144 billion, driven by a rally in Guinness Nigeria Plc and 29 others.

The All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 226.84 points, representing a gain of 0.16 per cent to close at 142,263.07 points. Also, market capitalisation gained N144 billion to close at N90.009 trillion.
The upturn was driven by price appreciation in large and medium-capitalised stocks, including Guinness Nigeria, Aradel Holdings, Eunisell Interlinked, Dangote Sugar Refinery, and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment closed positive, as 30 stocks gained relative to 20 losers. Guinness Nigeria emerged as the highest price gainer, 10 per cent, to close at N176.00 per share.
Eunisell Interlinked followed with a gain of 9.89 per cent to close at N30.55, while Regency Alliance Insurance advanced by 9.82 per cent to close at N1.79 per share.

Thomas Wyatt Nigeria rose 9.80 per cent to close at N2.69, while McNichols rose 9.58 per cent to close at N3.89 per share.

On the other hand, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings led others on the losers’ chart with 7.59 per cent to close at N4.02 per share. Initiates Plc (TIP) followed with a decline of 7.48 per cent to close at N12.00, while Sovereign Trust Insurance shed 6.21 per cent to close at N2.87 per share.

Omatek Ventures lost 5.17 per cent to close at N1.10, while Wapic Insurance depreciated by 4.19 per cent to close at N3.20 per share.

However, the total volume traded declined by 67.64 per cent to 325.112 million units, valued at N8.418 billion, and exchanged in 22,779 deals. Transactions in the shares of Access Holdings led the activity with 37.244 million shares worth N1.008 billion. Zenith Bank followed with 24.270 million shares valued at N1.604 billion, while Fidelity Bank traded 20.512 million shares valued at N426.008 million.

Secure Electronic Technology traded 19.799 million shares worth N15.968 million, while Veritas Kapital Assurance traded 14.907 million shares worth N32.903 million.