By Thompson ABISOLA
Activities resumed for the week at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on a positive trend, with market capitalisation returning to N12 trillion amid improved third quarter results.
The market capitalisation on Monday rose by N44 billion or 0.37 per cent to close at N12. 033 trillion against N11. 989 trillion on Friday.
Also, the All-Share Index grew by 121.13 points or 0.37 per cent to close at 32,962.82 compared with 32,841.69 achieved on Friday.
Market analysts attributed the sustained growth to bargain hunting in the midst of improved third quarter results released by some companies.
Seplat led the gainers’ table, growing by N29. 90 to close at N644. 90 per share.
Unilever came second with a gain of N3.60 to close at N47. 50, while Zenith Bank gained N1.10 to close at N24 per share.
Stanbic IBTC added N1 to close at N46, while Custodian and Allied Insurance grew by 40k to close at N5.50 per share.
Conversely, Lafarge Africa recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ table, dropping by N2.10 to close at N18.90 per share.
Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of 60k to close at N87.90, while Cadbury declined by 60k to close at N9.20 per share.
Dangote Flour Mills shed 50k to close at N7.50, while Access Bank was down by 30k to close at N8 per share.
In the same vein, the volume of shares traded closed higher by 21.29 per cent, while value appreciated by 239.04 per cent.
Investors bought and sold 257.92 million shares valued at N4. 95 billion against 212.65 million shares worth N1.46 billion achieved in 2,385 deals on Friday.
Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active, exchanging 74.19 million shares worth N2.71 billion.
Diamond Bank followed with an account of 42.96 million shares valued at N51.57 million, while UACN traded 16.72 million shares worth N169.73 million.
FCMB Group exchanged 15.50 million shares valued at N24. 13 million, while Sterling Bank sold 13.74 million shares worth N20.03 million.
