The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) recovered by 0.18 percent from a six-day decline, to close at 26,221.75 points today while market capitalization grew by N16.5 billion to close at N9.026 trillion, while the year to date losses shrank to -8.45 percent.
The day’s performance was linked to the 3.08 percent growth of the banking index which recorded the highest appreciation amongst other sector indices, following gains in Guaranty, Zenith, Access, UBA, Diamond, Sterling, Union and FBN holdings.
The NSE 30 and Mainboard Indices also appreciated by 0.28 percent and 0.55 percent respectively while the Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas Indices slumped 0.47 and 3.71 percent each.
Investors’ appetite showed improvement but remained weak as market breadth closed with 15 gainers paired against 19 losers.
Air Service Plc led the gainers chart with a 4.69 percent growth to close at N2.90 per share, Guaranty Trust Bank followed with a gain of 4.65 percent to close at N21.61 per share, Vitafoam Plc trailed with a 4.60 percent growth to close at N2.50 per share and Fidson Health Care Plc improved by 4.17 percent to close at N1.25 per share. Zenith Bank emerged the top fifth gainer, adding 3.45 percent to close at N14.70 per share.
On the flip side, Cadbury Plc topped the losers’ chart by 9.65 percent, to close at N11.70 per share. Forte Oil Nigeria Plc shed 8.50 percent to close at N104.05 per share, while Total Nigeria Plc dropped 8.19 percent to close at N290 per share.
Nigerian Aviation Handling Company of Nigeria Plc declined by 4.94 percent to close at N2.31 per share while Caverton Plc closed at N1.05 per share following a decline of 4.55 percent.
Market performance as measured by the total volume traded, declined by 5 percent to 137.6 million units valued at N990.9 million exchanged in 3,283 deals as against 146.1 million units valued at N1.04 billion transacted in 3,039 deals on Wednesday.
Sterling Bank Plc emerged as the most traded stock for the day with 27.7 million shares valued at N22.1 million. Chams Plc followed with 25.1 million shares worth N12.6 million, while Guaranty Trust bank Plc traded 16.9 million shares valued at N366.7 million.
Access Bank Plc with the trade of 11.3 million shares worth N60.2 million bagged the fourth position on the activity chart, while Zenith Bank Plc came fifth having sold 9.7 million shares valued N144.8 million.