The stock market closed the week on a positive note, with investors gaining N1.360 trillion.

The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. recorded gains, with the All-Share Index rising 1.03 per cent to 203,770.43 and market capitalisation increasing 1.05 per cent to N131.166 trillion.

This compares with the previous week’s 201,698.89 and N129.806 trillion, respectively. Consequently, investors gained N1.360 trillion over the week.

The market traded for four days, as the Federal Government declared Monday, April 6, a public holiday to mark Easter.

All other indices closed higher, except NGX Insurance and NGX Growth, which declined by 3.64 per cent and 1.82 per cent, respectively.

A total of 3.361 billion shares, worth N151.948 billion, were traded in 229,442 deals during the week.

This contrasts with 2.856 billion shares valued at N113.597 billion exchanged in 215,287 deals the previous week.

The financial services industry led activity, recording 2.303 billion shares valued at N90.467 billion in 98,175 deals.

This represented 68.54 per cent of total volume and 59.54 per cent of total value traded.

The services industry followed with 264.146 million shares worth N1.977 billion in 12,638 deals.

The ICT industry ranked third, with 214.578 million shares valued at N9.791 billion in 28,183 transactions.

Trading in Access Holdings Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc dominated activity.

These equities accounted for 1.124 billion shares, worth N49.451 billion, across 27,886 deals.

This contributed 33.45 per cent and 32.54 per cent to total turnover volume and value, respectively. In addition,  25 equities gained, lower than the 29 recorded in the previous week.

Fifty-four equities declined, compared with 57 in the prior week, while 67 remained unchanged, higher than 62 previously.

Trans-Nationwide Express, Nigerian Exchange Group, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Nascon Allied Industries and Guinness Nigeria led gainers.

They appreciated by 93k, N23, N13, N14 and N39.70 respectively.

Daar Communications, RT Briscoe, Deap Capital Management, Ellah Lakes and JaPaul Gold were top decliners. They shed 41k, N2.10, N1.01, N2 and 57k respectively.

The NGX announced the delisting of DN Tyre and Rubber Plc and Greif Nigeria Plc, effective Thursday, April 9.

This followed failure to meet listing standards, making their securities unsuitable for continued trading.

It also disclosed that 1.06 billion ordinary shares of 50k each of Access Holdings Plc were listed on Wednesday, April 8. 

(NAN)