A 0.42 per cent rise was recorded by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday, inching the All-Share Index (ASI) higher by 604.58 points to 143,584.04 points from 142,979.46 points as the market capitalisation grew by N383 billion to N91.135 trillion from N90.752 trillion.
The bourse in a vibrant mood yesterday as bargain-hunting activities dominated the space, resulting in all the key sectors closing in green.
The energy sector improved by 2.34 per cent, the insurance space rose by 1.39 per cent, the commodity counter jumped by 1.11 per cent, the banking industry expanded by 0.65 per cent, the consumer goods group increased by 0.55 per cent, and the industrial goods index gained 0.19 per cent.
UAC Nigeria was the best-performing equity for the session after it chalked up 10.00 per cent to settle at N73.70, Nigerian Enamelware rose by 9.97 per cent to N42.45, Ellah Lakes soared by 9.96 per cent to N13.47, PZ Cussons advanced by 9.88 per cent to N41.70, and Neimeth surged by 9.76 per cent to N6.75.
Conversely, Julius Berger ended the day as the worst-performing equity after it shed 9.96 per cent to close at N122.90, Thomas Wyatt declined by 9.50 per cent to N3.24, John Holt slipped by 9.43 per cent to N7.20, DAAR Communications went down by 6.36 per cent to N1.03, and UPDC shrank by 5.81 per cent to N6.49.
The market breadth index was positive on Friday after Customs Street ended with 39 appreciating stocks and 25 depreciating stocks, representing a strong investor sentiment.
A total of 544.7 million shares worth N19.6 billion exchanged hands in 27,065 deals during the session compared with the 6.2 billion shares valued at N54.5 billion traded in 32,682 deals on Thursday, indicating a decline in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 91.22 per cent, 64.04 per cent, and 17.19 per cent, respectively.
The activity log was led by UBA with 80.1 million units worth N3.4 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 71.7 million units valued at N1.9 billion, GTCO transacted 35.1 million units for N3.4 billion, Zenith Bank sold 29.9 million units valued at N2.1 billion, and Ellah Lakes traded 26.0 million units worth N337.7 million.