By Philemon Adedeji

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index ,(ASl) and Market Capitalization appreciated by 0.20 per cent to close the week at 55,930.97 absolute points and N30.455 trillion respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of NGX Premium; NGX AFR Div. Yield; NGX Lotus II; NGX Industrial Goods; NGX Growth and NGX Sovereign Bond which depreciated by 0.75 per cent 0.06 per cent, 0.08 per cent 1.31 per cent, 0.51 per cent, and 1.50 per cent, respectively while the NGX ASeM index closed flat

The breakdown of market performance showed total turnover of 2.196 billion shares worth N45.971 billion in 31,655 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.586 billion shares valued at N46.643 billion that exchanged hands last week in 35,122 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.578 billion shares valued at N15.652 billion traded in 14,851 deals; thus contributing 71.82 per cent and 34.05 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Oil and Gas Industry followed with 157.221 million shares worth N1.304 billion in 3,549 deals. The third place was the Consumer Goods Industry, with a turnover of 101.562 million shares worth N1.939 billion in 3,944 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely United Bank for Africa Plc, FCMB Group Plc and NPF Microfinance Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 696.244 million shares worth N4.019 billion in 2,398 deals, contributing 31.70 per cent and 8.74 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

On the advancers table, Eternal Oil came as the highest price gainer which appreciated by 46.51 per cent increased to close at N13.45 per share, Unity Bank which followed went up by 44.00 per cent to close at N0.72 per share, while FTNCOCOA Processor rose by 40.91 per cent to close at N0.93 per share.

Secure Electronics Technology which recorded as the last fourth loser grew by 38.46 per cent to close at N0.36 per share, while Cornerstone Insurance which recorded as the last fifth gainer grew by 37.35 per cent to close at N1.14 per share.

On the other hand, Johnholts which recorded as the highest price loser suffered 26.70 per cent to close at N1.40 per share, RT. BRISCOE which followed shed 10.53 per cent to close at N0.34 per share, while Sunu Assurance dipped by 10.42 per cent to close at N0.43 per share.

Courtville Business Solution which emerged as the last fourth loser went down by 9.80 per cent to close at N0.46 per share, while Multiverse and Mining Evaporation which recorded as the last fifth loser decreased by 9.54 per cent to close at N3.70 per share.

The summary of price changes at the close of week last week Friday revealed Fifty-two (52) equities appreciated in price during the week lower than sixty-six (66) equities in the previous week.

Twenty-seven (27) equities depreciated in price higher than twentythree (23) in the previous week, while seventy-seven (77) equities remained unchanged, higher than sixty-seven (67) recorded in the previous week.