The bulls upstaged the bears on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, as most blue chip stocks appreciated in price, causing market capitalisation to rise by N29billion.

Precisely, at the close of transactions yesterday, the market capitalisation of listed equities increased by N29billion to N12.810trillion, from.N12.781trillion recorded on Monday.

Also, the All -share index grew by 82.74 basis points to 37013.75 from 36930.83 achieved at the reopening of trading on Monday.

Investors traded 305.171 million shares worth N2.905billion in 4399 deals, against 466.522 million shares valued at N2.902billion exchanged in 4274 deals the previous day.

Further breakdown of yesterday’s trading showed that Total Nigeria Plc led others on the gainers’ chart, appreciating by 5.00 kobo to close at N229.00 per share, while Dangote Cement followed with a gain of 2.00 kobo to close at N229.00 per share.

UAC of Nigeria increased by 0.72 kobo to close at N19.10 per share. Guaranty Trust Bank advanced by 0.28 kobo to close at N42.03 per share. Dangote Sugar Refinery added 0.15 kobo to close at N15.50 per share.

However, Mobil Oil topped the losers chart, dropping by N8.02 kobo to close at N153.01, International Breweries trailed with a loss of 4.20 kobo to close at N41.00 per share. Nigerian Breweries depreciated by 0.89 kobo to close at N144.10 per share. National Salt Company of Nigeria fell by 0.48 kobo to close at N15.52 per share. Eterna Oil Plc depreciated by 0.19 kobo to close at N4.16 per share.

On the activity chart, Diamond Bank was the most active stock for the day, trading 83.122 million shares worth N98.160million, while Fidelity Bank followed, accounting for 39.922 million shares valued at N66.269million. Cadbury Nigeria Plc sold 37.845 million shares cost N391.724 million.

FBNHoldings traded 34.313 million shares worth N241.126 million. Meyer Paint exchanged 16.500 million shares valued at N11.550million.