The Nigerian Exchange Limited closed Wednesday’s trading session on a positive note, as equities gained marginally amid broad-based buying interest that lifted market capitalisation by N6.88bn.
At the close of trading, the total market capitalisation of listed equities rose to N106.44tn from the N106.43tn recorded in the previous session. At the same time, the All-Share Index inched up by 10.77 points, or 0.01 per cent, to close at 166,267.60, compared with 166,256.83 on Tuesday.
Market activity was mixed, as a total of 822.73 million shares valued at N24.93bn were exchanged in 43,514 deals. This represented a 3 per cent improvement in trading volume and a 25 per cent increase in turnover, although the number of deals declined by 4 per cent when compared with the preceding trading day.
In terms of market breadth, sentiment remained firmly positive, with 54 gainers outweighing 24 losers across the 130 equities that participated in trading. NCR Nigeria led the gainers’ chart, appreciating by 10 per cent to close at N171.05 per share. It was followed by McNichols Plc, which also gained 10 per cent to close at N6.93, while RT Briscoe Plc advanced by 10 per cent to N4.95. Jaiz Bank added 9.99 per cent to close at N7.93, and May & Baker Nigeria Plc rose by 9.95 per cent to N43.65.
On the losers’ table, UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust topped the list, shedding 9.68 per cent to close at N8.40 per unit. Champion Breweries declined by 9.31 per cent to N19.00, while Secure Electronic Technology lost 6.78 per cent to close at N1.10. Coronation Insurance dropped by 6.69 per cent to N3.35, and Equity Assurance fell by 6.00 per cent to N47.00.
Trading activity was dominated by Zichis Agro Allied Industries, which recorded the highest volume with 69.22 million shares traded. It was followed by Secure Electronic Technology with 54.80 million shares, Access Holdings with 40.11 million shares, and Zenith Bank with 38.11 million shares.
In value terms, Stanbic IBTC Holdings emerged as the most traded stock, with transactions worth N2.78bn. Zenith Bank followed closely with trades valued at N2.74bn, while Nigerian Breweries recorded N2.44bn in traded value.
GTCO and Aradel Holdings also featured among the top value drivers, with trades valued at N2.17bn and N1.44bn, respectively.
Analysts attributed the modest market growth to sustained interest in select banking, consumer goods and industrial stocks, noting that the improving market breadth suggests a cautious but steady return of investor confidence. They added that while gains remain marginal, continued accumulation of fundamentally strong stocks could support further upside in the near term, subject to macroeconomic and liquidity conditions.
