By Habibat Aliu
Despite price losses that outweighed gains, transactions on the equities sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reopened in an upbeat yesterday as Airtel Africa and 13 stocks lifted capitalisation by N228 billion.
At the close of transactions yesterday, the market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 0.78 per cent to N29.538 trillion from N29.310 trillion reported the previous day. Similarly, the All -Share Index also increased by 419.89 basis points to 54224.35 points from 53804.46 points reported on Friday.
Analysts at Vetiva Dealings and Brokerage said: “Market activity was dominated by the small-cap names in today’s session. As the elections approach, we expect investors to be more selective with their bids and anticipate a mixed session tomorrow.”
On the price movement chart, Conoil Plc led the gainers’ chart with 9.93 per cent to close at N38.75 kobo. CWG followed with a gain of 9.88 per cent to close at 89 kobo per share. John Holt added 9.77 per cent to close at N1.46 kobo.
Living Trust improved by 9.57 per cent to close N2.52 kobo. TrippleG went up by 9.55 per cent to close at N2.18 kobo. Ikeja Hotel added 9.35 per cent to close at N1.17 kobo. Fidelity Bank gained 7.35 per cent to close at N5.11 kobo.
Mutual Benefit Assurance garnered 6.25 per cent to close at 34 kobo. Academy Press gained 5.04 per cent to close at N1.25 kobo. Airtel Africa appreciated by 3.85 per cent to close at N1,620. TransNational Corporation also gained 3.33 per cent to close at N1.24 kobo.
On the other hand, Capital Hotel Plc topped the losers’ chart during the day in percentage terms, declining by 9.42 per cent to close at N2.50 kobo while Vitafoam Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of 7.18 kobo to close at N19.40 kobo.
Chams Plc was down by 6.90 kobo to close at 27 kobo. NAHCO fell by 3.57 per cent to close at N8.10 kobo. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated also declined by 2.83 per cent to N12.
Oando lost 2.50 per cent to close at N3.90 kobo. Wapic shed 2.22 per cent to close at 44 kobo. Jaiz Bank fell by 2.17 per cent to close at 90 kobo. Sterling Bank depreciated by 1.96 per cent to close at N1.50 kobo. Unity Bank dropped 1.96 per cent to close at 50 kobo. International Energy lost 1.69 per cent to close at N1.16 kobo.
On the activity chart, investors traded 154.628 million shares valued at N5.505 billion in 3095 deals against 172.904 million shares valued at N3.765 million shares valued at 3077 deals.
Transactions in the shares of GTCO Plc led the activity chart during the day accounting for 36.683 million shares valued at N923.667 million, Zenith Bank followed with 30.371 million shares valued at N758.111 million.
AIICO Insurance traded 8.266 million shares at N4.959 million, Mansard insurance traded 7.801 million shares valued at N15.603 million, Living Trust exchanged 6.270 million shares valued at N13.533 million.
