Mid-week equity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed upbeat yesterday, occasioned by price gains recorded by major blue-chip stocks especially Nestle and Dangote Cement, causing market capitalisation to appreciate by N52billion.

Specifically, at the close of transactions yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities improved by N52billion or 0.43 per cent to N12.100trillion from N12.048trillion traded the previous day.

The All-Share index increased by 152.13 basis points to 35103.40 points from 34951.27 recorded on Tuesday. Also, investors traded 136.403 million shares worth N1.269billion in 2860 deals, higher than 500.299 million units valued at N3.620billion exchanged in 3120 deals during the previous day.

Further review of yesterday’s transactions showed that Nestle Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table for the day, growing by N4.76 kobo to close at N1210.00.

Dangote Cement followed with a gain of N4.00 to close at N210.00, Zenith International Bank gained N0.39 kobo to close at N22.51 kobo, International Breweries also appreciated by N0.32 kobo to close at N36.00.

Stanbic IBTC increased by N0.25 kobo to close at N39.75 kobo. Champion Breweries appreciated by 0.18 kobo to close at N2.39 per share. Fidson added 0.14 kobo to close at N3.24 per share. C&I Leasing gained 0.06 kobo to close at N1.45 per share. African Prudential also added 0.05 kobo to close N3.36 per share.

Conversely, Mobil Oil (11 Plc) recorded the highest loss for the day, declining by N2.01 kobo to close at N167.99 kobo, Nigerian Breweries trailed behind shedding N1.50 kobo to close at N165.50 kobo. Guaranty Trust Bank fell by N0.40 kobo to close at N39.20 kobo, Lafarge WAPCO was down N0.24 kobo to close at N49.78 kobo.

PZ Industries depreciated by N0.22 kobo to close at N25.00. UACN shed 0.19 kobo to close at N15.00 per share. UAC-Properties lost 0.15 kobo to close at N2.85 per share.

United Bank for Africa dropped 0.14 kobo to close at N8.51 per share. May & Baker also lost 0.12 kobo to close at N2.64 per share.

The result showed that Jaiz Bank was the most active stock at the end of transactions, exchanging 35.853 million shares worth N26.064million, Meyer Paint followed with account of 20.887 million shares valued at N14.005million.

FBNHoldings traded 6.687 million shares at N36.775million, Diamond Bank sold 5.428 million shares worth N6.040million, while Access Bank Plc traded 4.878 million shares valued N46.201million.