Transactions on the equities sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), sustained a rising profile yesterday, as more blue chip stocks appreciated in price, resulting to a further rise in market capitalisation of N34billion.

Specifically, market capitalisation of listed equities improved by 0.27 per cent to N12.773trillion from N12.739trillion recorded the previous day. Also the NSE All Share Index rose by 96.73 basis points to 37059.21 from 36962.48 traded on Tuesday.

Investors during the day exchanged 264.286 million shares valued at N5.530billion in 3849 deals against 244.315 million shares worth N3.672billion in 3829 deals.
A breakdown of the investment showed that Nigerian Breweries recorded the highest gain during the day, growing by N2.01 kobo to close at N185.02 kobo, Stanbic IBTC followed with a gain of N0.85 kobo to close at N38.85 kobo.

Zenith International Bank gained N0.45 kobo to close at N23.50 kobo. Access Bank increased by N0.39 kobo to close at N10.24 kobo Dangote Sugar grew by N0.36 kobo to close at N13.00.

However, Total Nigeria Pic topped losers chart for the day, shedding N11.51 kobo to close at N228.00, while 7UP Bottling Company Plc, trailed with a loss of N4.84 kobo to close at N92.12 kobo. Similarly, Lafarge Wapco shed N1.49 kobo to close at N57.01 kobo, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc depreciated by N1.33 kobo to close at N28.52 kobo, while Unilever Nigeria Plc down by N0.55 kobo to close at N45.00.

Further analysis of yesterday’s trading showed Zenith International Bank as the most active during the day, trading 57.242 million shares worth N1.324billion, United Bank for Africa followed with 40.592 million shares valued at N378.667million, and Guaranty Trust Bank traded 28.495 million shares worth N1.162billion. Access Bank Plc sold 24.546 million shares worth N243.248million, while FBNHoldings exchanged 12.091 million shares valued at N72.519million.