By Providence Obuh

The fluctuating trend on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued Thursday, as the market indicators for measuring the performance indices, the market capitalisation and the All share index appreciated by 0.05 per cent.

Specifically, the capiotalisation appreciated by N3.61 billion to close at N7.912 trillion from N7.908 trillion at which it opened, while the index rose by 11.3 bases points to close at 24,765.60 points from 24,754.30 points.

Presco Plc led 26 other stocks on the gainers table with a gain of N0.31 to close at N6.53 per share, Costain West Africa Plc followed with a gain of N0.32 to close at N6.75 per share and IHS Plc garnered N0.12 to close at N2.60 per share.

Other share price gainers include: Vitafoam Nigeria Plc N0.29, National Salt Company Nigeria Plc N0.29, Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc N0.06, Access Bank Plc N0.34, FTN Cocoa Processors Plc N0.02, Okomu Oil Palm Plc N0.50, Livestock Feeds Plc N0.02, among others.

On the contrary, Wema Bank Plc recorded the highest share price loss on the losers table dropping by N0.07 to close at N1.33 per share, C and I Leasing Plc followed with a loss of N0.08 to close at N1.53 per share and Evans Medical Plc dipped by N0.06 to close at N1.15 per share.

Other share price losers include: John Holt Plc N0.46, A.G Leventis Nigeria Plc N0.13, Vono Product Plc N0.14, Starcomms Plc N0.07, Intercontinental Bank Plc N0.11, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc N0.15, Oceanic Bank International Nigeria Plc N0.12, among others.
NSE 30, which measures the performance of blue chips in the market garnered 0.28per cent, NSE Food and Beverages gained 0.52 per cent, NSE Banking rose by 0.39 per cent and NSE Oil, Gas appreciated by 0.19 per cent, while NSE Insurance dipped by 2.07 per cent.

A turnover of 210.80 million shares valued at N1.83 billion was recorded in 5,189 deals in contrast to the previous day’s turnover of 211.60 million shares valued at N1.67 billion in 3,939 deals.

Banking stocks was the most sought after on the sectorial analysis accounting for 52.68 per cent of the market turnover with 111.04 million shares valued at 1.04 billion in 2,581 deals.  Zenith Bank Plc recorded the highest patronage in the sub-sector.