Equities trading at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) started the trading week on a positive trajectory, as the All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 0.03 percent, closing at 97,747.27 basis points.
This modest increase lifted market capitalisation by an equivalent margin to N59.23 trillion, adding N15.3 billion to investors’ portfolios.
The year-to-date (YTD) return remained robust at 30.72 per cent.
Market breadth was positive, with 29 stocks advancing against 21 decliners.
Leading gainers included John Holt, Eunisell Interlinked, Beta Glass, Lafarge Africa and Tantalizer, having appreciated in share value by 9.97 percent, 9.92 percent, 9.92 per cent, 9.52 per cent and 9.33 percent, respectively.
Conversely, top losers for the day under review featured Mecure Industries, The Initiates, Thomas Wyatt, University Press and Champion Breweries as their share prices depreciated by 9.65 percent, 9.09 percent, 8.85 per cent, 7.83 percent and 6.88 per cent, respectively.
Sectoral performance was mixed. The banking, consumer goods, and oil/gas sectors experienced declines of 0.58 percent, 0.27 percent, and 0.08 per cent, respectively.
Conversely, the insurance and industrial goods sectors posted gains of 0.42 percent and 0.66 per cent.
Trading activity was robust, though the total trading value dipped by 21.15 percent. Deals and trade volume, however, saw increases of 6.77 percent and 40.03 per cent, respectively, with 413.35 million shares traded across 9,004 deals, amounting to N5.34 billion.
Japaul Gold and Ventures emerged as the most traded stock by volume, with 179 million units worth N379.8 million exchanged in 94 transactions.
