By Philemon Adedeji
The equities market on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) opened the new week on a positive note amidst sell-offs and buy-interests as the bench mark, All Shares Index appreciated by 83.71 basis points. The Overall market capitalisation value gained N45 billion to close trade at N25.170 trillion from N26.125 trillion it closed the week on Friday. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and capitalized stocks amongst which are UPDCREIT, ETERNA PLC, OANDO PLC, ZENITH BANK, and 39 others.
Similarly, at the close of trade on Monday All Shares Index appreciated by 83.71 basis points or 0.17 per cent to close trade at 48,543.36 basis points from 48,459.65 basis points it closed trade yesterday.
At the opening of week trade volume depreciated by 4 per cent to 328,391,904 million units, valued at N 4.038 billion and exchange in 5,711 deals.
The market sentiments as measured by market breadth, 43 stocks constituted the gainers chart, While 16 stocks constituted the losers chart. On the advancers chart, UPDCEIT was the highest price gainer which appreciated by 10 per cent or 0.35 kobo to close at N3.85 per share, Followed by IKEJA HOTEL which recorded as the second best gainer on the chart grew by 9.93 per cent or 0.14 kobo to close trade at N1.55 per share.
ETERNA plc, rose by 0.66 kobo to close trade at 9.92 per cent, while OANDO PLC went up by 9.90 per cent or 0.58 kobo to close trade at N6.44 per share, and SKYAVN, the last fifth gainer appreciated by 0.63 kobo or 9.90 per cent to close trade at N7 per share. On the other hand, UNITY BANK which recorded as the most loser dipped by 0.03 kobo or 6 per cent to close trade at N0.47 per share, accompanied by ACADEMY which dropped by 5.98 per cent or 0.07 kobo to close trade at N1.10 per share, while JAPAULGOLD was recorded as the third highest loser which declined by 5.88 per cent or 0.02 kobo to close trade at N0.32 per share.
UPDC depreciated by 4.49 per cent or 0.04 kobo to close trade at N0.85 per share, and WAPIC INSURANCE PLC, declined by 0.02 kobo or 4.35 per cent to close trade at N0.44 per share.
As the week opened yesterday, transaction in the share of Zenith Bank topped the activity chart which traded 35.842 million scares valued at N91.150 million, OANDO PLC transacted 30.817 million shares worth N198.276 million, while MANSARD transacted 23.071 million shares worth N58.733 million.
TRANSCORP PLC traded 20.683 million shares valued at N22.247 million and FIRST BANK HOLDING of NIGERIA transacted 20.085 per share valued at N240.041 million.