Nigerian stocks returned to positive territory on Thursday as capitalisation increased by N215 billion.
The market capitalisation, which opened at N25.289 trillion, edged up by N215 billion or 0.85 per cent to close at N25.504 trillion.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 399.14 points on Wednesday to close at 47,329.80 up from 46,930.66.
The upturn was fueled by gains recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, including Dangote Cement, Oando, Flour Mills, University Press, and Red Star Express.
Market performance overall was positive, with 23 gainers to 19 losers.
With 10 per cent gains, Oando dominated the gainers’ chart with N5.17 per share.
The shares of Academy Press closed at N1.24 with a 9.73 per cent increase, while SCOA rose to N1.14 per share with a 9.62 per cent increase.
Lasaco Assurance grew eight per cent to end at N1.08, while R. T. Briscoe gained 7.69 per cent to close at 28k.
Pharma Deko led the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 10 per cent and closed at N1.98 per share.
The next closest stock was Champion Breweries, which closed at N2.10 after shedding 8.70 per cent, followed by Ikeja Hotel, which closed at N1.33 per share after shedding 6.99 per cent.
Unity Bank lost 3.77 percent to 51k, and Mutual Benefits Assurance lost 3.70 percent to 26k.
FBN Holdings traded 27.95 million shares worth N318.02 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company traded 21.29 million shares worth N584.96 million.
Oando traded 18.36 million shares valued at N92.48 million, while Transcorp transacted 20.44 million shares worth N23.12 million.
In contrast, the total volume traded decreased by 20.3 per cent to 346.70 million units valued at N3.83 billion exchanged in 4,952 trades.
This is in contrast with a turnover of 434.9 million shares worth $6.26 billion traded in 5,878 transactions on Wednesday.
There were 55.94 million shares traded at a value of N160.27 million for Fidelity Bank, topping the activity chart.