Dangote Cement, others lift equities market by 0.21%

By Kayode Tokede

Activities on equities market segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed the week on Monday on a positive note following investors’ interests in Dangote Cement Plc, Airtel Africa Plc, among others.

Specifically, the All-Share Index inched higher by 86.97 basis points or 0.21 per cent to close at 41,088.96 basis points  from 41,001.99 basis points on Friday.

Consequently, month-to-date and year-to-date returns increased to 2.0 per cent.

Also, the market capitalisation, which opened at N21.448 trillion improved by N46 billion or 0.24 per cent to close at N21.494 trillion.

Sector performances were mixed today with the Industrial (+0.54per cent) and Banking (+0.49 per cent) sectors closing in the green, while the Oil & Gas (-0.80 per cent) and Consumer Goods (-0.72 per cent) sectors closed negatively.

The market gain was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement, MRS Oil, Julius Berger and Lafarge Africa.

Academy Press dominated the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at 44k per share.

May and Baker followed with 9.86 per cent to close at N4.01, while MRS Oil rose by 9.82 per cent to close at N12.30 per share.

Champion Breweries grew by 9.74 per cent to close at N2.14, while University Press appreciated by 9.60 per cent to close at N1.37 per share.

Conversely, C & I Leasing and Royal Exchange led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, losing 10 per cent each to close at N5.13 and 36k per share, respectively.

Ardova followed with a loss of 9.78 per cent to close at N18.45 per share. Japaul Gold and Ventures shed 9.47 per cent to close at 86k, while Soverign Trust Insurance lost 9.09 per cent to close at 30k per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume traded declined by 43.7 per cent as investors’ bought and sold 333.09 million shares valued at N2.64 billion in 5,640 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 591.46 million shares worth N5.07 billion transacted in 5,787 deals on Friday.

Transactions in the sharesTranscorp topped the activity chart with 48.99 million shares valued at N53.31 million.

AXA Mansard Insurance sold 28.03 million shares worth N38.29 million, while Fidelity Bank traded 26.53 million shares valued at N72.59 million.

United Bank for Africa accounted for 16.67 million shares worth N145.85 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 15.87 million shares valued at N418.97 million.

Analysts at Investment One research said, “The equities market closed up today due to the gains recorded in the Industrial and Banking sectors.

“Going forward, we expect investor’s sentiments to be swayed by the search for real positive returns amidst a low interest-rate environment. Nonetheless, we reiterate that this may be a great period to pick up some quality names with a medium to long-term investment horizon.”

Also, analysts at United Capital Plc said, “Bargain hunting from market participants, stemming from recent selloffs and the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting will drive market activities.”