Transactions on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed upbeat yesterday, following price gains by major highly capitalised stocks, as market capitalisation increased by N8billion.

Specifically, at the close of trading yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities grew by 0.06 per cent to N12.627trillion from N12.619trillion recorded on Friday. Also the All-share index increased by 22.04 basis points to 36484.30 from 36462.26 point traded on Friday.

Investors traded 174.957 million shares worth N1.824billion in 3401 deals against 250.893 million shares valued at N3.008billion at the close of trading on Friday in 3968 deals.

Further breakdown of yesterday’s trading showed that Total emerged the day’s highest price gainer with 7.25 kobo to close at N240.00 per share. Forte Oil followed with 2.70 kobo to close at N40.99 per share.

Dangote Flour Mills added 0.84 kobo to close at N9.08 per share. Cadbury garnered 0.345 kobo to close at N11.00 per share. EcoBank TransNational Incorporated gained 0.44 kobo to close at N17.49 per share. Guinness added 0.34 kobo to close at N100.38 per share.

Zenith Bank garnered 0.29 kobo to close at N26.00 per share. United Bank for Africa appreciated by 0.23 kobo to close at N9.54 per share. Vitafoam added 0.13 kobo to close at N2.83 per share.

On the other hand, Seplat led others on the losers’ chart with 10.00 kobo to close at N480.00 per share while WAPCO followed with 2.00 kobo to close at N50.00 per share. Nigerian Breweries lost 0.5 kobo to close at N151.5 per share.

Dangote Sugar Refinery shed 0.30 kobo to close at N14.90 per share. National Salt Company of Northern Nigeria depreciated by 0.07 kobo to close at N15.87 per share. FBN Holdings dropped 0.05 kobo to close at N6.15 per share.

Access Bank shed 0.04 kobo to close at N9.82 per share. Morison depreciated by 0.03 kobo to close at N0.60 per share.

TransNational Corporation lost 0.02 kobo to close at N1.39 per share. Fidson also dropped 0.01 kobo to close at N3.80 per share.

Further analysis showed that FBN Holdings Plc was the most active stock during the day, trading 26.513 million shares worth N262.103million, Diamond Bank followed with 26.248 million shares valued at N27.532million.

United Bank for Africa sold 16.126 million shares cost N151.905million, Zenith International Bank exchanged 15 596 million shares valued at N401.367million, while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria transacted 14.753 million shares worth N20.208million.