The increase in equity trading activities recorded on Monday continued on Wednesday with major indices closing positive.

At the close of trading on Wednesday, the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s All-Share Index rose by 0.6 per cent or 213.28 basis points from 37,046.63 points on Tuesday to 37,259.91 points.

Similarly, the market capitalisation of the listed equities increased by 0.6 per cent or N68bn to N11.910tn, up from N11.842tn recorded the preceding day.

The NSE-30 Index gained 0.7 per cent or 11.57 basis points to close at 1,781.64 points, on Wednesday, up from 1,770.07 points the previous day, while the Consumer Goods Index rose by 3.13 basis points or 0.3 per cent to close at 1,094.42 points.

The NSE Banking Index also gained 0.2 per cent or 0.84 points to close at 427.30 points.

Cadbury Nigeria Plc led 36 other stocks on the price gainers’ chart, rising by 10 per cent or N4.85 to close at N53.35 per share.

Fortis MFB Plc followed on the chart, rising by 10 per cent or 60 kobo to close at N6.60 per share.

Ashaka Cement Plc and Costain (West Africa) Plc also gained 9.9 per cent and 9.7 per cent to close at N27 and N1.24 per share, respectively, while Evans Medical Plc and Glaxo Smithkline Plc gained 9.7 per cent and 7.9 per cent to close at N2.37 per share and N52.90 per share, respectively.

RT Briscoe, on the other hand, lost the highest price for the day, shedding 10 per cent to close at N1.62 per share.

Tourist Company Nigeria Plc also lost 9.9 per cent or 18 kobo to close at N4.08 per share.

Juli Plc and Courtville Business Solutions Plc fell by 9.7 per cent and 9.4 per cent to close at N2.14 and 77 kobo per share respectively, while Learn Africa Plc and Wapic Insurance Plc lost 8.3 per cent and 6.9 per cent to close at N1.65 and 94 kobo per share in that order.

The banking sub-sector maintained its lead on the activity chart, accounting for 38 per cent of total volume traded.

Source: Punch (by Udeme Ekwere)