The All-Share Index ASI) one of the performance indices of Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX), on Friday rose by 271.19 points or 0.36 per cent to close at 74,773.77l, as against 74,502.58 recorded on Thursday.
Also, the market capitalisation gained N148 billion or 0.36 per cent to close at 40.924 trillion, as against N40.776 trillion recorded on Thursday.
As a result, the Year-to-Date (YTD) return rose to 45.9 per cent.
The positive performance was due to the increase in the sale of shares of Tier-one banks, telecommunication companies, five stars hotels and manufacturing companies.
Meanwhile, Zenith Bank led the traders volume chart with 28.89 million units traded, while Geregu led in value chart in deals worth N7.22 billion.
The top traders chart was led by Learn Africa and Transcorp Hotel with 10 per cent each, to close at N3.19 and N70.18 per share respectively.
Multiverse Mining and Exploration followed with 9.95 per cent, closing at N18.57 per share.
Abbey Mortgage Bank gained by 9.90 per cent to close at N2.22, while IMG rose by 9.8 per cent to close at N13.45 per share.
On the looser’s chart, SUNU Assurances led in percentage terms by 5.17 per cent to close at N1.10 per share.
FTNCOCOA Processors followed, depreciating by 4.52 per cent to close at N1.48 and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) went down by 4.51per cent at N25.40 per share.
Tantalizer shed 4.08 per cent to close at 47k, while Sterling Nigeria lost 3.16 per cent to close at N4.29 per share.
Analysts at Vetival Securities Ltd. said, “It was an impressive run in the equity market this year, with a YTD return of 45.90 per cent.
“We expect the positive sentiments to filter into early next year, as investors continue to take position in the expected growth sectors.”
