By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

The value of equities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, appreciated by N284.53 billion last week occasioned by impressive first quarter financial reports released by various companies.

Specifically, the market capitalisation, which measures the total value of equities, gained 2.47 per cent to close at N11.798 trillion from N11.513 trillion it opened at.

Another market indicator, the All-Share Index, rose by 2.49 per cent or 897.53 points to close at 36,907.81 points from 36,010.28 points.

The appreciation in the market capitalisation was as a result of the gains recorded in the share prices of sixty-three companies during the week.

This was led by Courteville Business Solutions Plc with 57.38 per cent or N0.35 appreciation to close at N0.96 per share from N0.61 per share. This was followed by Eterna Plc which rose by 45.56 per cent or N1.23 to close at N3.93 per share, while U T C Nigeria Plc gained 41.54 per cent or N0.27 to close at N0.92 per share. However, 20 equities depreciated in prices lower than 27 in the preceding week, while 112 equities remained constant lower than118 in the preceding week.

Okomu Oil Palm Plc recorded the highest price loss, depreciating by N52.56 or 49.35 per cent to close at N53.94 per share from N106.50 per share. This was followed by Africa Prudential Registrars Plc that lost 11.58 per cent or N0.22 to close at N1.68 per share. While Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Plc lost 10.00 per cent or N2.38 to close at N21.42 per share.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 2.292 billion shares valued at N24.025 billion in 29,048 deals was traded last week by investors in contrast to a total of 1.686 billion shares valued at N21.389 billion that exchanged hands penultimate week in 28,392 deals.

The Financial Services sector (measured by volume) led the activity chart with a turnover of 1.756 billion shares valued at N14.800 billion traded in 16,292 deals. Financial Services sector represented 76.62 per cent and 61.61 per cent of the total traded volume and value respectively.

The Banking sub-sector of the Financial Services sector boosted by activity in the shares of First City Monument Bank Plc and U B A Plc was the most active sub-sector on the week’s activity chart with a sub-sector turnover of 1.276 billion shares valued at N12.072 billion exchanged hands by investors in 11,622 deals. Also, the Banking sub-sector accounted for 55.67 per cent and 50.25 per cent of the total sub-sector traded volume and value respectively.

Traded during the week were 63 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N136, 137 executed in 3 deals compared with a total of 58 units valued at N130, 231 transacted last week in 3 deals.