Investors on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) saw their wealth grow by N217 billion at the close of trading on Thursday, as the All-Share Index rose by 0.37% to reach 96,924.86 points. The market capitalization similarly increased by 0.37% to N58.73 trillion, while the year-to-date return stood at 29.62%.
Most sectors posted positive performances, with the insurance sector leading with a 1.84% increase. The consumer goods, oil and gas, and industrial goods sectors also rose by 0.01%, 1.77%, and 0.02%, respectively. However, the banking sector experienced a slight decline of 0.38%.
In total, 33 stocks advanced, while 17 declined. Top gainers included Conoil and Aradel, both rising by 10%, followed by Eunisell (+9.92%), JohnHolt (+9.77%), and Thomas Wyatt (+9.71%).
Despite the positive market sentiment, some stocks saw losses, including Tantalizer, NGX Group, Wema Bank, RT Briscoe, and FCMB Group.
Trading activity surged with increases of 7.53% in deals, 744.54% in volume, and 16.48% in value. A total of 744.54 million shares were traded across 9,700 transactions, with a total value of N16.48 billion.
Consolidated Hallmark Plc led by volume, trading 124.8 million shares valued at N245.79 million in 72 trades. Other significant players included Japaul Gold (105.93 million shares) and Ellah Lakes (92 million shares). FBN Holdings, which opened its N150 billion rights issue on Wednesday, also featured prominently on the volume chart, with 70.59 million shares exchanged, totaling N1.93 billion.
