Equities market extends gains by 0.12%

The equities market sustained its positive momentum on Tuesday, as market capitalisation rose by 0.12 per cent to close at N106.088 trillion.

This represents an increase of N126 billion from the N105.962 trillion recorded in the previous session, reflecting growth in investors’ wealth.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.12 per cent, gaining 196.26 points to close at 165,713.82, compared with 165,517.56 posted earlier.

The uptrend in the equities market was driven largely by renewed buying interest in medium- and large-cap stocks like: Union Homes Real Estate, SCOA, Deap Capital Management, Morison, RT Briscoe and 28 others.

Also, the market breadth closed positive with 33 gainers and 26 losers.

Union Homes Real Estate Investment, SCOA and Deap Capital Management led the gainers’ chart by 9.94 per cent, closing at N86.25, N28.75 and N8.63 per share respectively.

Similarly, Morison grew by 9.92 per cent, settling at N9.09 while RT Briscoe rose by 9.89 per cent, finishing at N7.22 per share.

Conversely, Austinlaz led the losers’ chart by 9.96 per cent, ending the session at N4.34, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical trailed by 9.62 per cent, closing at N10.80 and Prestige Assurance shed by 7.37 per cent, finishing at N1.76 per share.

Africa Prudential dipped by 6.96 per cent, settling at N14.70 and Veritas Kapital fell by 6.86 per cent, closing at N1.90 per share.

Analysis of the market activity revealed a 20 per cent drop in volume, 29 per cent decline in deals and 0.43 per cent increase in the value.

A total of 483.09 million shares worth N17.4 billion were exchanged across 41,499 transactions, compared to 601.6 million shares valued at N17.3 billion that was traded in 58,429 deals.

Access Corporation recorded the highest volume with 26.46 million shares, accounting for 5.48 per cent of the total volume traded for the day.

For the second consecutive session in the week, Guaranty Trust Holding Company recorded the highest value traded at N2.49 billion, accounting for 14.33 per cent of total value traded for the day.