BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday closed with Royal Exchange, Mutual Benefits Lasaco Assurance emerging top gainers.
Royal Exchange rose by 9.52 per cent to close at 23k, while Mutual Benefits Assurance rose by 9.09 per cent to close at 24k per share.
Lasaco Assurance also appreciated by 6.45 per cent to close at 33k per share.
FTN Cocoa Processors led the gainers’ by 9.68 per cent to close at 34k per share.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated went up by 8.33 per cent to close at N5.85,
The Market closed with 14 gainers and 18 losers.
The Initiates led the losers’ chart by shedding 8.77 per cent to close at 52k per share.
Regency Alliance followed with 8.33 per cent to close at 22k, while Wapic Insurance dipped 4.76 per cent to close at 40k per share.
Chams shedded 4.55 per cent to close at 21k, while Flour Mills depreciated 4.53 per cent to close at N25.30 per share.
The NSE continued in its depreciation mode as the market capitalisation, which opened at N18.327 trillion, dipped by 0.09 per cent or N17billion to close at N18.310 trillion.
Following the drop, the All-Share Index lost 30.62 points or 0.09 per cent to close at 35,033.74 as against 35,064.36 when compared to Monday performance.
The market depreciation according to Exchange report was driven by losses in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nigerian Aviation Handling Company; Zenith Bank; Flour Mills; Lafarge Africa and Access Bank.
Activity chart was led by transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa which topped the chart with 142.44 million shares valued at N1.20 billion.
Zenith Bank followed with 33.86 million shares worth N795.52 million, while FBN Holdings traded 12.63 million shares valued at N89.44 million.
Also, Guaranty Trust Bank sold 9.73 million shares worth N321.88 million, while ETI transacted 9.16 million shares worth N52.36 million.
At the end of trading, the number of shares dropped by 5.36 per cent as investors bought and sold 306.92 million shares valued at N3.27 billion in 4,500 deals.
