TheCable

The domestic equities market extended its gaining streak on Thursday due to price appreciation in shares belonging to International Breweries, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Chemical and Allied Products.

Consequently, the all-share index (ASI) advanced by 0.13 percent to close at 25,204.60 points.

Investors gained N18.1 billion as market capitalisation advanced to N13.1 trillion while year-to-date (YTD) loss improved to -6.1 percent.

Activity level varied as volume traded fell by 0.03 percent to 179.5 million units while value traded climbed 66.7 percent to N2.5 billion in 3,055 deals.

Meanwhile, the top traded stocks by volume were Transcorp (35.5 million units), Guaranty Trust Bank (29.9 million units), and Lasaco Assurance (11.9 million units); while Nestle Nigeria (N983.5 million), Guaranty Trust Bank (N755.9 million), and Zenith Bank (N163.5 million) led by value.

Three of the top five Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) indices gained while oil and gas index remained flat; same with Wednesday’s trading session.

The insurance index was the lone loser as it fell 0.23 percent due to profit-taking in AIICO Insurance (-3.2 percent).

On the flip side, the consumer goods index led the gainers, advancing 0.52 percent due to buying interest in International Breweries and Honeywell Flour Mill.

Similarly, the banking and industrial indices climbed 0.18 percent and 0.03 percent respectively following price appreciation in Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Chemical and Allied Products.

Market breadth closed positive as 17 stocks gained relative to the 11 that recorded a loss.

The top gainers were International Breweries, Cutix, and Neimeth; while Studio Press Nigeria, UACN Property Development Company, and ABC Transport topped the laggards.