Stocks Gain N1.8trn To Record Perfect Trading Week

Investors in the Nigerian equities market gained N1.8 trillion at the close of trading on Friday.

This followed a surge in the share prices of stocks such UPDC, Academy Press and HM Call, among others on the trading floor.

The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 225,722.49 points from the 222,837.68 points recorded on the previous trading day.

After five hours of trading on the capital market, equity capitalisation increased to N145.3 trillion from N143.3 trillion posted by the bourse on Thursday.

The market breadth was positive, with 43 stocks advancing, 26 declining, and 79 remaining unchanged in 55,232 deals.

A total of 627,616,518 shares were traded, valued at N44.5 billion.

UPDC, Academy Press and HM Call led the gainers’ chart, with 10 per cent, 10% and 9.97 growth each in share prices, respectively, to close at N4.40, N7.70 and N3.97 per share, up from N4.00, N7.00, and N3.61 per share.

Meyer, Trans Express and CI Leasing led other price decliners, with 9.92 per cent, 9.30 per cent, and 8.53 per cent declines, respectively, to close at N16.80, N7.90, and N5.90 per share, down from N18.65, N8.71, and N6.45 per share, respectively.

On the volume index, Access Holding led trading with 75 million shares in 2,865 deals, followed by UBA, which traded 43 million shares in 2, 421 deals.

Wema Bank traded 41 million shares in 1, 100 deals.

On the value index, MTN Nigeria traded stocks valued at N8.2 billion in 3, 834 deals, followed by Zenith Bank, which traded equities worth N5.2 billion in 4,136 deals.

Dangote Cement traded shares valued at N3.5 billion in 1,818 deals.