Goddy Egene
The bulls consolidated their hold on the market yesterday as buying interests in Dangote Cement Plc, MTN Nigeria Plc and Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc lifted the benchmark index further.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 1.54 per cent to close at 40,963.14, while market capitalisation rose by N325.3 billion to close at N21.4 trillion.
Also, volume and value of trading rose 72.9 per cent and 27.9 per cent respectively to 809.4 million shares and N8.9 billion. Year-to-date, the NSE ASI has gained 1.7 per cent.
The bulls clearly dominated the market as 49 stocks gaineds compared with seven price losers. Champion Breweries Plc led the price gainers with 9.8 per cent, trailed by NASCON Allied Industries Plc with 9.7 per cent. Japaul Gold Ventures Plc and AXA Mansard Insurance Plc chalked up 9.4 per cent apiece.