Uptrend continues as equities market gain N110bn

Market capitalisation, which opened at N91.921 trillion, gained N110 billion or 0.12 per cent closed at N92.031 trillion.

The All-Share Index also added 0.12 per cent or 172.48 points, to settle at 144,995.26, against 144,822.78 recorded on Monday.

Sustained investors interest in stocks like Cornerstone Insurance, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, CHAMS, VFD Group, International Energy Insurance and 34 other stocks drove the market performance higher.

Meanwhile, the market breadth closed positive with 39 gainers against 34 losers.

On the advancers’ chart, Cornerstone Insurance led by 9.92 per cent, ending the session at N6.65, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings followed by 9.52 per cent, closing at N4.37 while CHAMS grew by 9.22 per cent, settling at N4.62 per share.

Also, VFD Group increased by 9.17 per cent, finishing at N11.90 and International Energy Insurance rose by 8.82 per cent, closing at N2.96 per share.

On the other side, Livingtrust Mortgage Bank led the decliners’ chart by 10 per cent, finishing at N5.94 while Austin Laz dropped by 9.74 per cent, settling at N3.15 per share.

Juli dipped by 9.60 per cent, ending the session at N8.95 and Livestock Feeds shed by 7.50 per cent, to close at N7.40 per share.

Also, Tantalizer fell by 6.45 per cent, closing at N2.32 per share.

Analysis of the market activity revealed an improvement in the market value with decline in the market deals and volume as 507.41 million shares worth N24.29 billion were traded across 30,681 deals.

This is compared to 519.92 million shares valued at N14.55 billion that was exchanged across 35,490 transactions earlier on Monday.

Transactions in the shares of Access Corporation topped the activity chart in volume with N45.86 million shares valued at N1.19 billion.

Ellah Lakes followed with 39.49 million shares worth N594.3 million while CHAMS sold 30.8 million shares valued at N140.17 million.

Sovereign Trust Insurance transacted 27.79 million shares worth N86.69 million and Aradel Holdings traded 22.58 million shares valued at N13.16 billion. (NAN)