NGX extends gain, index rises further by 0.54%

Positive sentiments persisted on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd., (NGX) on Friday with the All-Share Index extending growth by 0.54 per cent.

Specifically, the All-Share Index improved further by 445.56 points points or 0.54 per cent to close at 83,042.96, against 82,597.40 achieved on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation rose by N244 billion or 0.54 per cent to close at N45.442 trillion from N45.198 trillion posted on Thursday.

The market gain was due to buying interests in BUA foods, Guaranty Trust Holding Company and Dangote Sugar, among others.

As a result, The Year-To-Date (YTD) return rose to 11.06 per cent, while the market breadth closed positive with 46 equities on the gainers’ table and 19 others on the losers’.

Specifically, a total of 600.63 million shares valued at N9.10 billion were exchanged in 11,697 deals, as against 877.28 million shares valued at N14.41 billion exchanged in 14,919 deals on Thursday.

However, Transcorp led the trader’s table in volume with 54.44 million shares worth N752.74 million, followed by Access Corporation that traded 44.98 million valued at N1.27 billion.

Also, United Bank of Africa(UBA) sold 33.53 million at N1.06 billion, while Universal Insurance transacted 33.30 million shares worth N12.06 million.

Also, Sterling Bank traded 33.20 million share valued at N216.41 million.

On the leaders’ table, Mutual Benefits Assurance and SUNU Assurances led in percentage terms of 10 each, to close at 77k and N1.43 per share, respectively.

Ikeja hotel followed by 9.96 per cent to close at N8.61, while Unilever gained 9.94 per cent to close at N18.25 per share.

Cadbury grew by 9.83 per cent to close at N24.05 per share.

Conversely, the laggards’ table was led by Industrial and Medical Gas by 9.15 per cent to close at N13.40.

UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust Plc trailed by 7.26 per cent to close at N1.66 per share, respectively.

Cutix Plc and Omatek Venture shed five per cent each to close at N2.99 and 95k per share, respectively.

FTNCocoa Processors lost 4.76 per cent to close at N2 per share.

Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled lower relative to the previous session, while the value of transactions went down by 36.88 per cent.