Yemisi Izuora/Agency Report

Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today- Monday February 23rd 2015, closed bullish, Oil prices fell on Monday as worries about oversupply and a further rise in dollar exchange rates pushed Brent futures down by over a dollar to around $59 a barrel. The equity market closed green due to positive performances from the banking, oil & gas and consumer goods sectors leaving the banking sector alone closing red.
The Street Journal reports that trading activities increased in volume as 306.63 million shares worth N3.01 billion in 4,139 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 277.75 million shares worth N6.57 billion in 3,723 trades carried out on Friday. Topping in volume terms was UBA Plc. FBN Holdings and Access Bank Plc., while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. and UACN Plc. ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

According to the BGL Plc sources, The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 1.39% (+409.20) increase to 29,793.13 from 29,383.93 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.94 trillion from N9.80 trillion the prior trading day. The BGL 50 Index also followed suit with a 1.33% increase to close at 126.43 from 124.77 the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N9.15 trillion from N9.03 trillion the previous trading day.
A total number of 26 stocks gained on the bourse today while 15 stocks declined, leaving 52 stocks unchanged. On the gainers’ chart, Access Bank Plc. led with a gain of 8.75% to close at N6.09 per share. It was Flour Mills Nig. Plc. with a gain of 8.01% to N34.00 per share. Others on the gainers chart include UACN Plc. Airline Services And Logistics Plc. and Union Bank Nig.Plc.

On the decliners’ list, Beta Glass Co Plc. led with a loss of 4.98% to close at N27.08 per share. It was followed Portland Paints & Products Nigeria Plc. with a loss of 4.96% to close at N3.83 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are; Red Star Express Plc. Continental Reinsurance Plc. and Golden Guinea Brew. Plc.

Access Bank Plc. emerged the toast of investors as it topped the BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 8.75% to close at N6.09 per share. It was Flour Mills Nig. Plc. with a gain of 8.01% to N34.00 per share. Others on the gainers chart include UACN Plc. Zenith Bank Plc. and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc. On the decliners’ list, Continental Reinsurance Plc. led with a loss of 4.65% to close at N0.82 per share. It was followed Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc. with a loss of 2.13% to close at N4.60 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are; Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. National Salt Co. Nig. Plc. and International Breweries Plc.