Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited rebounded on Thursday, as renewed buying interest in consumer goods and banking stocks lifted the equities market by 0.05 per cent, despite weak investor sentiment.
Market capitalisation rose by N72 billion to close at N159.733 trillion, compared with N159.661 trillion recorded at the Wednesday session, while the All-Share Index (ASI) gained 113.02 points to settle at 249,175.39 points from 249,062.37 points.
The positive performance was driven by gains in stocks such as Unilever Nigeria, International Breweries, Wema Bank and other medium- and large-cap equities.
However, market breadth closed negative as 18 stocks advanced against 45 decliners, reflecting cautious trading sentiment across the bourse.
Among the top gainers, International Energy Insurance appreciated by 10.00 per cent to close at N3.41, while ABC Transport rose by 9.93 per cent to N9.08. Unilever Nigeria gained 9.80 per cent to finish at N168.00, Academy Press advanced by 9.74 per cent to N8.45, and Eunisell climbed by 9.41 per cent to N209.95.
The losers chart had Berger Paints which declined by 10.00 per cent to close at N147.60, Learn Africa shed 9.96 per cent to N11.75, while DAAR Communications fell by 9.95 per cent to N1.90. RT Briscoe lost 9.93 per cent to settle at N12.79, and May & Baker depreciated by 9.61 per cent to N46.55.
Sectoral performance was mixed, with the consumer goods index appreciating by 0.52 per cent and the banking index inching higher by 0.03 per cent. In contrast, the insurance index fell by 0.55 per cent, the energy sector slipped by 0.10 per cent, while the industrial goods index dipped marginally by 0.01 per cent.
Trading activity was largely upbeat during the session, with investors exchanging 1.1 billion shares valued at N31.0 billion in 62,448 deals, compared with 600.2 million shares worth N32.7 billion traded in 58,958 deals on Wednesday.
This represented a 5.20 per cent decline in transaction value, while trading volume and number of deals increased by 83.27 per cent and 5.92 per cent, respectively.
Sterling Holdings emerged as the most actively traded stock by volume, accounting for 322.7 million shares valued at N2.6 billion. Japaul traded 96.4 million shares worth N416.2 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 57.0 million shares valued at N1.3 billion, while Access Holdings traded 52.2 million shares worth N1.3 billion. Lasaco Assurance also recorded 42.5 million shares valued at N86.7 million.
