Following price gains recorded by major highly capitalised stocks especially Nestle, and PZ Cussons, transactions on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), re-opened in an upward note yesterday, as market capitalisation appreciated by N31billion.

Specifically, at the close of trading yesterday, the market capitalisation rose by 0.2 per cent or N31billion to close at N12.805trillion higher than N12.774trillion achieved on Friday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index, which opened at 36,703.58 increased by 89.02 points or 0.24 per cent to close at 36,792.60 posted on Friday.

On the price movement chart, Nestle recorded the highest price gain to lead the gainers’ chart with 4.87 kobo to close at N1, 255.90 per share.

PZ Cussons followed with 2.30 kobo to close at N24.79 per share. National Salt grew by 1.39 kobo to close at N15.89 per share.

Zenith International Bank clinched 86 kobo to close at N24.98 per share. Dangote Sugar increased by 62 kobo to close at N14.95 per share. Dangote Flourmills gained 0.29 kobo to close at N9.29 per share.

Eterna Oil added 0.18 kobo to close at N3.94 per share. May&Baker, and FBN Holdings each garnered 0.10 kobo to close at N2.82 and N7.00 per share respectively. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company added 0.09 kobo to close at N3.70 per share. United Capital gained 0.06 kobo to close at N3.27 per share.

Conversely, Forte Oil led the losers’ chart with a loss of 4.73 kobo to close at N43.89 per share. International Breweries came second with 95 kobo loss to close at N50.85 per share.

Unilever depreciated by 50 kobo to close at N37.00 per share. Guaranty Trust Bank dipped by 40 kobo to close at N42.60 per share. Nigerian Breweries shed 30 kobo to close at N138.50 per share.

UACN lost 0.20 kobo to close at N17.00 per share. Cadbury shed 0.05 kobo to close at N11.20 per share. Cutix dropped 0.03 kobo to close at N1.99 per share. Unity Bank, and Learn Africa each shed 0.02 kobo t close at N0.51 and 0.98 per share respectively.

However, the volume of shares traded closed lower, as investors bought and sold a total of 208.71 million shares valued at N2.45billion transacted in 2,993 deals.

This was against the 1.83 billion shares worth N6.31billion achieved in 3,097 deals on Friday.

Custodian and Allied Insurance was the most active in volume terms, accounting for 40.46 million shares worth N151.72million. FBN Holdings sold 27.45 million shares valued at N190.08million.

Fidelity Bank exchanged 23.46 million shares worth N37.54million; Diamond Bank transacted 16.89 million shares valued at N19.37million, while Zenith International Bank sold 12.78 million shares worth N319million.