Trading on the equities market sustained gains recorded in previous trading sessions as the indicator opened on Monday with an appreciation of 1.41 percent compared to 1.53 percent gained on Friday.
Accordingly, the All Share Index (ASI) settled at 36,831.93 points, driving the YtD return to 37.05 percent as market Capitalisation added N175.9bn to settle at N12.678tn.
According to market analysts, market performance ws largely driven by Q3 earnings expectations as investors take strategic positions in choice tickers.
A look at the 5 major sectors showed all sector indices save the insurance sector closed the day in the green. The Insurance sector was down 0.07percent to emerge the day’s lone loser following loses posted in Aiico Insurance while the consumer goods led the gainers with a 1.16 percent increase.
Investor sentiment measured by market breadth remained positive as 27 gainers were paired against 21 losers.
May&Baker topped the gainer’s chart with a growth of 7.63 percent to close at N2.82 per share, Sterling Bank and International Breweries added 5 percent each to close the day at N1.05 and N39.90 per share respectively. Total Nigeria was next on the list with a gain of 4.98 per cent to close at N253 per share and Flourmill added 4.97 per cent to close at N27.87 per share.
Conversely, top three losers for the day were AG Leventis Diamond Bank and NAHCO. They closed 4.84 percent, 4.55 percent and 4.40 percent lower respectively and ended the day at 59 kobo, N1.05 and N3.26 per share.
Turnover fell 29 per cent as investors in 4,283 deals traded 262.2 million units of shares valued at N2.996 billion as against 367.1 million units of shares valued at N3.743 billion and traded in 3,773 deals previously.
Diamond Bank emerged the most active stock to boost turnover as it exchanged 76.3 million shares for N80.3 million. Access Bank was next with the sale of 28.1 million shares valued at N275.7 million and Zenith Bank sold 23.7 million units at N594.9 million shares.
FBN Holdings came fourth with 15.7 million units exchanged for N95.3 million while 13.74 million units of UBA shares were exchanged for N18.1 million`