Market Indices Record Further Appreciation

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened for the week on a positive note as market indices recorded further appreciation due to price gains by some blue chips.

The All-Share Index, which opened at 21,756.50, appreciated by 0.10 per cent to close at 21,779.33.

The market capitalisation also appreciated by N7 billion or 0.10 per cent to close at N6.945 trillion from the N6.938 trillion recorded on Friday.

Flour Mills led the gainers’ chart with a gain of N2.70 to close at N56.70 per share.

Some market analysts attributed the price appreciation to the first quarter forecast which projected a turnover of N72.19 billion and profit after tax of N2.57 billion.

Nigerian Breweries came second on the gainers’ chart with 80k to close at N110 per share, while NCR grew by 75k to close at N15.80 per share.

Cadbury appreciated by 56k to close at N11.86 per share, while Zenith rose by 43k to close at N14.10 per share.

On the other hand, NewGold led the losers’ chart, dropping N7 to close at N2, 499 per unit.

CAP followed with N1.31 to close at N25.08 per share, while Unilever lost N1.06 to close at N28.86 per share.

Okomu Oil depreciated by 80k to close at N31.70 per share, while PZ dipped by 54k to close at N21.86 per share.

In all a total of 435.21 million shares worth N3.38 billion were traded in 4,462 deals, representing an increase of 6.9 per cent over the 406.89 million shares valued N4.58 billion exchanged in 3,710 deals on Friday. (NAN)