Equities market rises by 0.48% as investors gain N45.7bn

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) equities market closed the day on a positive note as the NSE All-Share Index (NSE ASI) also appreciated by 0.48 per cent to settle at 27,858.48 basis points, driving Investors gain of N45.7 billion as market capitalization closed at N9.569 trillion.

Market activity as measured by volume and value traded appreciated by 14.3 and 32.1 per cent respectively to settle at 228.9 million units and N2.11 billion respectively.

The day’s trading activities showed investors’ sentiment remained positive as market breadth closed with 25 gainers to 16 losers, Conoil Plc proceeded to top the day’s 25 advancing stocks for the fourth consecutive trading sessions with a gain of 10.21 per cent or N2.95 to close at N31.84 per share following the declaration of an impressive 2015 full-year results.

Air Service Plc followed with an appreciation of 5.00 percent or 10 kobo to close at N2.10 per share, John Holt Plc added 4.76 percent or 3 kobo to close at 66 kobo per share, PZ Cussons Plc grew 4.56 per cent or 85 kobo to close at N19.50 per share and Unity Bank Plc increased by 4.48 per cent or 3 kobo to close at 70 kobo per share.

On the flip side, Portland Paints Plc led the day’s losers with a decline of 5.00 per cent or 8 kobo to close at N1.52 per share, Union Bank Plc followed with a depreciation of 4.91 per  cent or 22 kobo to close at N4.26 per share, Fidson Health Care Plc lost 4.73 per cent or 8 kobo to close at N1.61 per share, AIICO Insurance Plc depreciated 4.62 per cent or 3 kobo to close at 62 kobo per share and NEM Plc dropped 3.57 per cent or 3 kobo to close at 81 kobo per share.

The top-three traded stocks were: First Bank Nigeria Holdings (FBNH) Plc with the sale of 56.5 million shares worth N169.1 million, followed by First City Monument Bank Plc that exchanged 32.1 million shares worth N32.1 million, and UBA Plc traded 29.6 million stocks valued at N124.3 million.