Trading on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. opened the week on a positive note on Monday as the market capitalisation gained N96.08 billion, an increase of 0.34 per cent.

Specifically, the market capitalisation closed at N28.619 trillion, compared to the N28.523 trillion on Friday.

The All-Share Index also inched higher by 0.34 per cent to 53,086.46 points from the 52,908.24 posted on Friday.

The gain was a result of buying interests in large and medium stocks such as MTN Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBNH), Conoil, amongst others.

Consequently, the Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date returns advanced to 0.2 per cent 24.28 per cent respectively.

Analysts at Vetiva Dealing said: “Despite the green close, the market traded quiet with block trades in a single stock accounting for most of the day’s volume.

“We anticipate improved activity across board in tomorrow’s session amid continued bargain hunting activities.”

Performance across sectors was mixed, as the Oil & Gas gained by 0.7 per cent and Industrial Goods by 0.1 per cent.

The Insurance, Banking and Consumer Goods declined by 0.4 per cent, 0.4 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Market sentiment as measured by market breadth was positive with 19 gainers relative to 12 losers.

Conoil emerged the day’s highest price gainer with 9.97 per cent to close at N32. Pharmdeko rose by 9.37 per cent to close at N1.75.

Learn Africa added 8.72 per cent to close at N2.37. FTNCocoa garnered 5.88 per cent to close at 36 kobo. Chams gained 4.17 per cent to close at 25k.

JapaulGold led others on the losers’ chart with 6.25 per cent to close at 30k. ABC Transport followed with 6.06 per cent to close at 31k. Unilever dropped 3.01 per cent to close at N14.50.

AIICO Insurance depreciated by 2.94 per cent to close at 66k, while Jaizbank declined by 2.22 per cent to close at 88k.

FBNH was the toast of investors during the day, exchanging 610.41 million shares valued at N6.78 billion, while Flour Mills traded 22.97 million shares valued at N803.92 million.

WAPIC followed with an account of 21.60 million shares worth N8.79 million.

Transcorp exchanged 11.57 million shares worth N14.56 million and Zenith Bank sold 8.92 million shares worth N208.88 million.

The total volume of shares traded increased by 167 per cent to 755.62 million units, valued at NGN8.9 billion, and exchanged in 4,297 deals.

FBNH was the most traded stock by volume and value at 610.41 million units and NGN6.78 billion, respectively.

(NAN)