Gains by cement and petroleum stocks lifted activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, with market capitalisation increasing by N168 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation rose by N168 billion or 1.51 per cent to close at N11.299 trillion, against the N11.131 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 32,200.38 appreciated by 486.34 points or 1.51 per cent to close at 32,686.72.

NAN reports that Seplat recorded the highest price gain to lead the gainers’ table for the day, gaining N18.37 to close at N385.87 per share.

Dangote Cement followed with a gain of N7.47 to close at N208.97 and Total garnered N5.01 to close at N275.01 per share.

Forte Oil appreciated by N4.90 to close at N52.92, while International Breweries increased by N2.46 to close at N26.53 per share.

On the other hand, Mobil Oil recorded the highest loss for the day, declining by N1.56 to close at N287 per share.

Nestle Nigeria trailed with a loss of N1 to close at N964 and Nigerian Breweries shed 99k to close at N155.01 per share.

FBN Holdings was down by 65k to close at N6.40, while Guaranty Trust Bank shed 30k to close at N33.70 per share.

However, the volume of shares traded dipped by 33 per cent with an exchange of 499.11 million shares valued at N4.07 billion, transacted in 6,424 deals.

NAN reports that this was against the 744.99 million shares worth N6.52 billion traded in 7,841 deals on Tuesday.

FBN Holdings dominated trading for the day, accounting for 99.81 million shares worth N639.35 million.

United Bank for Africa followed with 62.18 million shares valued at N525.98 million, while Diamond Bank traded 58.06 million shares worth N73.26 million.

Fidelity Bank exchanged 42.76 million shares valued at N52.98 million and Access Bank sold 36.05 million shares worth N343.78 million. (NAN)

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