By Philemon Adedeji
The Nigerian equities market closed flat yesterday by 1 billion or 0.01 per cent amid little increase in stocks like, Academy Press, Wema bank, Cadbury and 15 others stocks Basically, All share index (ASI) increased by 3.18 basis points or 0.01 per cent to close trade at 48571.75 basis points from 48,568.57 basis points it closed yesterday.
Meanwhile, overall market capitalisation valued gained 1 billion to close trade at N26.185 trillion from N26.184 trillion it closed on Tuesday.
The trade volume declined by 47 per cent from 464,733,314 million units it closed on Tuesday to 246,703,657 million units it closed yesterday, valued by N2.320 billion and exchange in 5,033 deals.
The market sentiments as measured by breadth was positive as Academy Press led 18 gainers relative to Ikeja Hotel which led 15 losers on the advancers chart, Academy Press led the league of advancers after the gain of 9.92 per cent or 0.12 kobo increased to close at N1.33 per share, followed by Wema Bank which appreciated by 9.88 per cent to close trade at N3.67 per share.
Cadbury recorded as the third best gainer which went up by 0.75 kobo increased to close trade at N8.50 per share, while UPDC grew by 0.08 kobo representing 9.09 per cent to close trade at N0. 96 per share, and Preso recorded as the last fifth gainer rose by 8.98 per cent increase to close trade at N1.43 per share.
On decline table, Ikeja Hotel dipped by 9.68 per cent or 0.15 kobo to close trade at N1.40 per share, Livestock followed with a drop of 9.50 per cent or 0.17 kobo to close trade at N1.62 per share. Chi Plc went down by 9.38 per cent or 0.06kobo to close trade at N0. 58 per share, while UBN depreciated by 0.40 to close at N6 per share and lastly, Regalins dipped by 6.06 per cent or 0.02 kobo to close trade at N0.31 per share.
Transaction in the share of Multiverse topped the activity chart which traded 36.237 million shares worth 7.284 million, followed by Transcorp which traded 26.059 million shares valued at 29.936 million.
Wapco transacted 14.533 million shares valued at 392.652 million, Fidelity bank traded 12.562 million shares worth 46.673 million and Guaranty trust holding company traded 12.290 million shares worth 294.291 million shares. MULTIVERSE led in terms of volume, while WAPCO led in terms of value.