Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed Thursday on a positive note as the All Share Index gained 1.51 per cent to close at 23,686.67 points from 23,335.01 on Wednesday while market capitalisation also rose from N8.025 trillion to N8.146 trillion.
The market recorded 29 gainers today led by FBN Holdings with a gain of N0.41 or 10.25 per cent to N4.41 followed by Union Bank with a gain of N0.49 or 9.94 per cent to close at N5.42 while Nigerian Breweries gained N7.90 or 8.09 per cent to close at N105.50 per share.
On the other hand, Honeywell Flour topped 14 stocks on the losers’ chart with N0.15 loss or 9.20 per cent to close at N1.48 followed by Sterling Bank that lost 0.16 or 8.99 per cent to close at N1.62 per share, and Vitafoam that lost N0.40 or 8.03 per cent to close at N4.58 per share.
Consumer Goods and Banking indices gained 4.80 percent and 0.55 percent on shares price increases in food and beverage producers, Nestle Nigeria Plc and SevenUp Bottling Company Plc by 4.98 percent and 6.78 percent; while FBN Holdings Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc climbed up by 10.25 percent and 9.94 percent respectively.
On the contrary, the Industrial Goods and Insurance sectors dipped 0.70 percent and 0.85 percent each on the back of losses recorded by cement manufacturer, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc and insurer, Axa Mansard Insurance Plc by 1.76 percent and 5.00 percent respectively. However, the Oil & Gas index was unchanged from the previous session.
Financial sector power house FBNH emerged the top gainer with a gain of 0.41 kobo per share, while Fast Consumer Moving Goods (FCMG) Company, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc topped the losers chart with a loss of 0.15 kobo per share.
The total volume of trade was 476,148,227.00, valued at N3.636 billion in 5,398 deals.