Investors recorded a N677 billion gain as the Nigerian stock market continued on a bullish trend on Thursday.
This comes as market capitalisation increased by 0.92 percent, closing at N74.358 trillion, compared to N73.681 trillion recorded on Wednesday.
Also, market data showed that the All-Share Index (ASI) climbed 1,074.26 points, or 0.92 percent, reaching 117,861.13 from 116,786.87 recorded on Wednesday.
The gain was driven by strong buying interest in medium- and large-capitalised stocks like Ikeja Hotel, Beta Glass, Legend Internet, University Press, Eterna, and 38 other stocks.
Consequently, market breadth closed positive with 43 gainers and 20 losers.
On the gainers’ table, Ikeja Hotel increased by 10 percent, closing at N15.40, while Beta Glass rose by 9.98 percent, ending the session at N276 per share.
Also, Legend Internet soared by 9.92 percent, finishing at N7.20, and University Press gained by 9.85 percent, settling at N6.02 per share.
Similarly, Eterna climbed by 9.82 percent, closing at N42.50 per share.
Conversely, on the losers’ chart, Guinea Insurance dropped by 9.21 percent, settling at 69k, while Haldane McCall declined by 5.88 percent, finishing at N4.00 per share.
C&I Leasing fell by 5.84 percent, closing at N4.35, and McNichols Plc shed 5.58 percent, ending the session at N2.20 per share.
Also, Fidson Healthcare lost 4.65 percent, closing at N41 per share.
Market data further indicated that a total of 893.97 million shares worth N22.03 billion were exchanged across 17,257 transactions.
This is compared to 640.08 million shares valued at N26.01 billion that were traded across 19,727 deals earlier.
Transactions in the shares of Champion Breweries topped the activity chart with 332.29 million shares valued at N2.27 billion. Also, Guaranty Trust Holding Company followed with N5 billion worth of 62.67 million shares, while PZ Cussons sold 46.58 million shares valued at N1.48 billion.
Zenith Bank traded 37.55 million shares worth N1.89 billion, and Access Corporation transacted 35.99 million shares valued at N787.11 million.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Umaru Kwairanga, had urged financial sector stakeholders to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive efficiency and improve customer satisfaction.
