Chinwendu Obienyi

Equity transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday opened the week with a lull as the market capitalisation lost N17 billion from N14.931 trillion to close at N14.914 trillion.

Following price losses recorded by Bellweather capitalised stocks, the All-Share Index (ASI) dropped 0.11 per cent or 45.90 basis point to close at 41,172.82 points.

Market breadth was, however, positive as 21 stocks advanced while 18 others fell. Eterna Oil topped the gainers’ chart with 9.76 per cent to close at N6.30 per share, CiLeasing followed with 5 per cent to close at N1.89; Oando Plc added 4.79 per cent to close at N8.75. AIICO gained 4.35 per cent to close at 0.72 kobo while Mutual Benefit appreciated by 3.85 per cent to close at 0.27 kobo per share.

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On the flip side, Unity Bank led the losers with 5 per cent to close at N1.14 per share. UAC-Prop trailed with 4.88 per cent to close at N2.34, NPF Microfinance Bank lost 4.74 per cent to close at 0.81 kobo, Linkage Assurance fell by 4.71 per cent to close at 0.81 kobo while First Aluminium depreciated by 4.08 per cent to close at 0.47 kobo.

Lasaco was the most active traded stock for the day with a sale of 24.32 million shares valued at N9.67 billion. GT Bank sold 20.68 million shares valued at N937.57 million while Sovereign Insurance transacted 16.58 million shares worth N3.63 billion.

Overall, the total volume of stocks traded stood at 221.395 million shares valued at N2.56 billion in 5,629 deals as against 283.62 million shares worth N4.22 billion exchanged in 4,187 deals on Friday.