Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange continued on a positive note on the first trading day of the week.
At the close of trading activities, the NSE’s All-Share Index rose by 0.1 per cent or 22.83 basis points from 21,756.50 to 21,779.33 points.
Similarly, the market capitalisation of the listed equities increased by 0.1 per cent or N8bn to N6.945tn up from N6.938tn recorded the preceding day.
The NSE-30 Index and Food/beverages index rose by 0.1 per cent and 0.3 per cent to close at 997.09 points and 1,769.30 points respectively, while the NSE Banking Index gained 0.4 per cent or 1.25 basis points from 313.95 to 315.20 points.
However, the insurance index and the oil and gas index recorded marginal losses, falling by 1.9 per cent and 1.6 per cent to close at 123.28 points and 176.43 points in that order.
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc recorded the highest price appreciation of the day, rising by five per cent or N2.70 to close at N56.70 per share.
RT Briscoe Plc gained five per cent or six kobo to close at N1.26 per share.
National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc and NCR Nigeria Plc rose by 4.9 per cent each, to close at N5.25 and N15.80 per share respectively.
United Bank for Africa Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc also gained 4.9 per cent each to close at N2.95 and N11.86 per share respectively, while Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, rose by 4.9 per cent or 18 kobo to close at N3.93 per share.
On the other hand, Sterling Bank Plc lost the highest price for the day, shedding five per cent or six kobo to close at N1.14 per share.
Dangote Flour Mills Plc also lost five per cent or 23 kobo to close at N4.37 per share.
Chemical and Allied Products Plc and Ikeja Hotel Plc lost 4.9 per cent and 4.8 per cent to close at N25.08 and N1.18 per share, while GT Assurance Plc lost 4.8 per cent to close at N1.58 per share.
The banking sub-sector maintained its lead on the activity chart, accounting for 76 per cent of total volume traded.
In the sub-sector, 333.84 million shares, worth N2.627bn were exchanged by investors in 2,530 deals.
Turnover in the sub-sector was largely driven by trading in the shares of United Bank for Africa Plc.
Source: Punch/Udeme Ekwere
