By PROVIDENCE OBUH
Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed, Monday, on a bullish note, as the value of listed equities, represented by the Market capitalisation, appreciated by N56.32 billion.

In particular, the capitalisation appreciated by 0.72 per cent to close at N7.845 trillion from N7.789 trillion at which it opened. Another key performance indices, the All share index rose by 0.72 per cent or 176.28 basis points to close at 24,555.00 points from24,378.72 points.

Zenith Bank Plc recorded the highest share price gain, with N0.70 to close at N14.70 per share, Diamond Bank Plc followed with a gain of N0.35 to close at N7.35 per share and Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc garnered N0.08 to close at N1.68 per share.

Other share price gainers include: Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc N0.42, First Bank of Nigeria Plc N0.64, Union Bank Nigeria Plc N0.14, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc N0.58, Fidelity Bank Plc N0.13, Ecobank Nigeria Plc N0.20, Poly Product Nigeria Plc N0.08, among others.

On the contrary, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc recorded the most share price loss, dropping by N1.68 to close at N31.92 per share, Total Nigeria Plc followed with a loss of N11.41 to close at N216.92 per share and Vono Products Plc dipped by N0.17 to close at N3.25 per share.

Other share price losers include: May and Baker Nigeria Plc N0.24, Costain West Africa Plc N0.34, Longman Nigeria Plc N0.35, Evans Medical Plc N0.06, Unity Bank Plc N0.05, Niger Insurance Plc N0.03, Unilever Nigeria Plc N1.04, among others.

Equity trading appreciated by 9.74 per cent as a turnover of 279.98 million shares valued at N2.41 billion was recorded in 4,904 deals in contrast to Friday’s turnover of 255.12 million shares valued at N1.98 billion in 5,710 deals.

The Banking sub-sector was the most active on the sectorial analysis, accounting for 48.25 per cent of the market turnover with 135.08 million shares valued at N1.10 billion in 2,870 deals.  First City Monument Bank Plc dominated activities in the sub-sector, trading 40.49 million shares valued at N248.63 million in 141 deals, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc followed with the exchange of 15.17 million shares valued at N288.26 million in 405 deals and First Bank of Nigeria Plc recorded 13.69 million shares valued at N182.28 million in 752 deals.

The Insurance sub-sector followed on the sectorial analysis accounting for 27.10 per cent of the market turnover with 75.88 million shares valued at N180.78 million in 199 deals.  Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc recorded the highest patronage in the sub-sector trading 52.98 million shares valued at N165.26 million in 45 deals, NEM Insurance Company Nigeria Plc followed with the exchange of 12.76 million shares valued at N6.52 million in 66 deals and Continental Reinsurance Plc recorded 5.44 million shares valued at N4.89 million in 14 deals.