The equities market recorded N235 billion gain on Friday at the close of trading, reflecting sustained bullish sentiment among investors.
This marked the 3rd consecutive bullish session in the week.
The performance underscored renewed investor confidence in the stock market, driven by increased demand for blue-chip stocks and sustained positive market momentum.
Market capitalisation rose by 0.15 per cent, closing at N158.513 trillion from the N158.278 trillion recorded at the previous session.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.15 per cent, gaining 364.26 points to close at 245,573.60, compared with 245,209.34 recorded in the preceding session.
This pushed the year-to-date return to 57.81 per cent.
Meanwhile, the market breadth closed negatively, recording 24 losers against 22 gainers.
Red Star Express led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, ending the session at N18, CAP trailed by 9.98 per cent, closing at N115.45 while John Holt dipped by 9.82 per cent, finishing at N 10.10 per share.
Also, ABC Transport declined by 9.57 per cent, settling at N5.20 and Legend Internet shed by 8.70 per cent, finishing at N4.20 per share.
On the gainers’ chart, UPDC led by 9.23 per cent, closing at N3.55, Computer Warehouse Group followed by 6.56 per cent, ending the session at N19.50 and AXA Mansard Insurance advanced by 4.80 per cent, settling at N13.10 per share.
Neimeth International Pharmaceutical gained by 4.24 per cent, finishing at N8.60 while Cutix grew by 4 per cent, closing at N2.60 per share.
Market activity strengthened during the session, with total trading volume surging by 185.55 per cent to 1.52 billion shares worth N26.65 billion, exchanged in 42,580 deals.
Fortis Global Insurance emerged as the most traded stock by volume, with 824.46 million shares, representing 54.29 per cent of the day’s total volume.
Access Corporation led by value, accounting for N4.67 billion or 17.52 per cent of the total value traded.
