The performance indicators of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited increased by 0.70 per cent on Friday amid strong appetite for domestic equities.
Yesterday, the benchmark index of the Nigerian stock exchange, the All-Share Index (ASI), went up by 801.50 points to 115,460.61 points from 114,659.11 points, and the market capitalisation grew by N506 billion to N72.808 trillion from N72.302 trillion.
Data showed that the consumer goods index depreciated by 0.71 per cent due to profit-taking by investors, but was offset by the other sectors.
The insurance sector appreciated by 0.87 per cent, the industrial goods space expanded by 0.58 per cent, the commodity counter improved by 0.56 per cent, the banking industry rose by 0.45 per cent, and the energy sector increased by 0.18 per cent.
During the trading session, the last for this week, 50 equities ended on the gainers chart and 24 equities finished on the losers’ table, representing a positive market breadth index and strong investor sentiment.
Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank gained 10.00 per cent to sell for N7.70, May and Baker appreciated by 10.00 per cent to N15.40, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank also grew by 10.00 per cent to N5.72, Stanbic IBTC jumped by 9.98 per cent to N79.35, and MRS Oil soared by 9.94 per cent to N155.90.
Conversely, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills shrank by 10.00 per cent to N112.55, Conoil lost 9.99 per cent to sell for N241.50, Enamelware Nigeria declined by 9.98 per cent to N18.50, University Press depleted by 9.84 per cent to N5.50, and John Holt slipped by 9.49 per cent to N6.20.
A total of 920.1 million units of stocks valued at N17.5 billion exchanged hands in 20,167 deals during the session versus the 459.9 million units of stocks worth N14.0 billion traded in 20,315 deals a day earlier, indicating a decline in the number of deals by 0.73 per cent, and a rise in the trading volume, and value by 100.07 per cent and 25.00 per cent, respectively.
Linkage Assurance topped the activity chart yesterday after it transacted 420.5 million units worth N946.1 million, VFD Group traded 35.4 million units valued at N2.5 billion, Bua Foods exchanged 34.7 million units for N1.8 billion, Austin Laz sold 29.8 million units worth N278.2 million, and Airtel Africa transacted 27.3 million units valued at N779.2 million.