By Providence Obuh
A bullish run was recorded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), last week, as the value of listed  equities, driven by gains on the prices of blue chip companies, appreciated by N106.82 billion.

Equities’ value, represented by the market capitalisation, rose by 1.73 per cent to Nand the All share index both appreciated by 1.73 per cent each.  The capitalisation closed at N6.290 trillion from N6.183 trillion at which it opened the week.

The All-share index — another performance indicator, also appreciated by 1.73 per cent, rising by 439.14 points to close at 25,861.93 point from 25,422.79 points at which it opened the week.

Nestle Nigeria Plc led 48 other blue chip companies on the price gainers’ table, rising by N17.50 to close at N367.50 per share, followed by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc with a gain of N6.55 to close at N91.35 per share and Guinness Nigeria Plc grossed N4.60 to close at N159.60 per share.

Other share price gainers include: Benue Cement Company Plc N2.05, 7-Up Bottling Company Plc N2.00, Ashaka Cement Plc N1.72, Chemical and Allied Product Plc N1.50, Cadbury Nigeria Plc N1.33, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc N1.25, Unilever Nigeria Plc N1.16, among others.

On the other hand, Nigerian Bottling Company Plc recorded the most share price loss, in the week under review, dropping by N3.30 to close at N30.50 per share, followed by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc with a loss of N2.01 to close at N69.98 per share, while May and Baker Nigeria Plc dipped by N1.73 to close at N6.30 per share, among others.
Other share price losers include: Oando Oil Plc N1.69, Presco Plc N0.62, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc N0.51, UAC Nigeria Plc N0.50, Nampak Nigeria Plc N0.49, Diamond Bank Plc N0.36, Berger Paint Nigeria Plc N0.33, among others.

Equities trading appreciated by 27.61 per cent, as a turnover of 1.71 billion shares valued at N17 billion was recorded last week in 32,098 deals, in contrast to the previous week’s turnover of 1.34 billion shares valued at N11.56 billion in 64,900 deals.

The Banking recorded the most transactions in the sectorial analysis, accounting for 62.33 per cent of the market turnover with 1.1 billion shares valued N10.3 billion in 16,285 deals.  United Bank for Africa Plc enjoyed the highest patronage in the sub-sector, trading 186.88 million shares valued at billion in 1,156 deals.