The Nigerian equities market sustained its positive momentum on Thursday, delivering a N962 billion gain for investors as the bullish trend continued for the fifth straight trading day.
The impressive performance was supported by strong buying activities across key sectors, including banking, consumer goods, industrial, insurance and telecommunications stocks.
At the close of trading, the market capitalisation increased by 0.62 per cent, moving from N155.585 trillion recorded at the start of the session to N156.547 trillion.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also rose by 1,498.75 points, representing a 0.62 per cent increase, to close at 243,958.75 points from 242,459.98 points.
With the latest gains, the market’s year-to-date return climbed to 56.77 per cent, indicating continued investor optimism.
Trading activities ended positively, with 29 stocks recording gains compared to 25 decliners, showing a relatively strong level of confidence among investors.
International Breweries emerged as the top-performing stock of the day, gaining 10 per cent to close at N12.10 per share. First HoldCo followed closely, appreciating by 9.96 per cent to N69.55, while Abbey Mortgage Bank increased by 9.88 per cent to settle at N8.90 per share.
Other major gainers included Trans-Nationwide Express, which rose by 9.76 per cent to N3.26, and Honeywell Flour Mills, which advanced by 9.68 per cent to close at N17 per share.
Meanwhile, Geregu and Thomas Wyatt recorded the biggest losses, declining by 10 per cent each to close at N825.70 and N2.70 respectively.
Mc Nicholas fell by 9.76 per cent to N5.55, UPDC dropped by 9.20 per cent to N3.95, while Neimeth International Pharmaceutical declined by 8.16 per cent to end trading at N9 per share.
Market activity also improved significantly, as total traded volume jumped by 219.47 per cent to 1.66 billion shares worth N111.98 billion exchanged in 44,780 deals.
First HoldCo remained the most traded stock during the session, accounting for the largest share of both volume and value transactions.
A total of 1.26 billion First HoldCo shares exchanged hands, representing 75.98 per cent of the total market volume, while transactions involving the company were valued at N85.61 billion, making up 76.47 per cent of the day’s overall trading value.
(NAN)