BY BAMIDELE FAMOOFO
Investors in the Nigerian stock market grabbed N133.43 billion from trading on Thursday as equities market extended the week’s bullish run.
The benchmark index gained 0.50 percent to settle at 49,233.02 points, the highest point since 21 September. Market capitalization also closed higher at N26.82 trillion.
Gains in MTN Nigeria Plc, (+2.88%), Zenith Bank Plc, (+2.17%) and WAPCO (+2.05%) kept the market in the positive territory, offsetting losses in tier-one bank, GTCO Plc, (-1.91%), FBN Holdings Plc, (-0.46%) and power generating company, Geregu Plc, (-8.11%).
Consequently, while the market capitalization gained N133.43 billion to close at N26.82 trillion, the ASI’s year-to-date (YTD) return rose to 15.26 percent.
Analysis of the day’s market activities showed trade turnover settled higher relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions up by 27.07 percent. A total of 222.78 million shares valued at N2.13 billion were exchanged in 2,756 deals.
Sterling Bank Plc led the volume chart with 153.28 million units traded, despite its share value losing -0.73 percent while Airtel Africa Plc, (+0.00%) led the value chart in deals worth N744.34 million.
Market breadth closed positive at a 2.43-to-1 ratio with advancing issues outnumbering declining ones. CAP (+9.88%) topped sixteen (16) others on the gainer’s table, while GEREGU (-8.11%) led six (6) others on the laggard’s log.
