STOCK MARKET INDICES APPRECIATE

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) surged in volume and value terms yesterday with a total of 610.92 million shares worth N5.93 billion traded in 5,882 deals.

This was in contrast to the 557.25 million shares worth N4.65 billion traded in 5,986 deals on Wednesday.The impressive trading impacted positively on the market indices with the All-share index appreciating by 1.86 per cent to close at 25,891.13 from the opening index of 25,416.21. The market capitalisation also rose by N151 billion to close at N8.267 trillion against N8.116 trillion recorded in the preceding day.

The banking sub-sector was the most active with 430.16 million shares worth N3.44 billion traded in 3,331 deals.Transactions in the sub-sector were largely boosted by UBA where investors exchanged 124.60 million shares valued at N1.17 billion in 219 deals.

The ICT sub-sector followed with 78.36 million shares worth N155.75 million traded in 21 deals.Starcomms drove the sub-sector's volume with 75.15 million shares valued at N148.06 million traded in 13 deals.

The Insurance sub-sector came third with N23.87 million staked on 25.38 million shares in 229 deals.The shares of AIICO Insurance enhanced activities in the sub-sector with 10.97 million shares worth N11.91 million traded in 99 deals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prices of 49 stocks appreciated while those of 14 depreciated.Dangote Cement led the price gainers, appreciating by N5.06 to close at N133.00 per share.

Oando rose by 90 kobo to close at N66.90 while First Bank appreciated by 65 kobo to close at N13.65AP led the losers' table, shedding N1.14 to close at N22.86 per share.

Lafarge WAPCO lost 95 kobo to close at N41.05 per share while Conoil depreciated by 94 kobo to close at N38.00 per share. (NAN).