The stock market traded 432.4 million shares valued at N16.9 billion in 23,665 transactions on Thursday.

This is in contrast to 389.1 million shares valued at N12.5 billion recorded on Wednesday across 23,017 deals.

This revealed a 36 per cent increase in value, 11 per cent growth in volume, and a three per cent surge in deals when compared with the previous session.

Meanwhile, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings led the activity chart in volume with 40.95 million shares valued at N196.6 million.

Access Corporation followed with 40.34 million shares worth N1.04 billion, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company sold 27.57 million shares valued at N2.58 billion.

Zenith Bank transacted 25.05 million shares worth N1.71 billion, and Tantalizer traded 22.2 million shares valued at N51.09 million.

Also, the stock market maintained a bullish trend as investors gained N389 billion in value.

Market capitalisation rose by N389 billion, or 0.41 per cent, closing at N94.165 trillion from N93.776 trillion on Wednesday.

Likewise, the All-Share Index (ASI) climbed 612.81 points, or 0.41 per cent, ending at 148,355.04, up from 147,742.23.

Gains in stocks like Secure Electronic Technology, Sterling Nigeria, Livestock Feeds, The Initiates, and May and Baker, as well as 25 other advancing stocks, drove the market into positive terrain.

Similarly, the market breadth closed positive with 30 advancers against 26 decliners.

Secure Electronic Technology led the advancers’ table by 7.06 per cent, settling at 91k; Sterling Nigeria trailed by 6.49 per cent, finishing at N8.20; and Livestock Feeds rose by 5.33 per cent, closing at N7.90 per share.

Also, the Initiates gained 5.18 per cent, ending the session at N14, while May and Baker grew by 4.99 per cent, closing at N17.90 per share.

On the other side, Sunu Assurances led the decliners’ table by 9.71 per cent, closing at N5.21; Halldane McCall followed by 7.53 per cent, finishing at N4.05; while Daar Communication shed 6.36 per cent, ending the session at N1.03 per share.

Sovereign Trust Insurance dipped by 6.05 per cent, closing at N3.26, and Custodian Investment fell by 4.55 per cent, finishing at N42 per share.

(NAN)