The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited cemented its position in the green territory on Wednesday with a marginal 0.04 per cent rise.
This was buoyed by sustained buying pressure on energy equities despite selling pressure on financial stocks, according to data from Customs Street.
The insurance counter was down by 0.73 per cent yesterday, and the banking index shed 0.70 per cent. These losses were offset by gains in the three other key sectors of the bourse, with the energy segment rising by 3.37 per cent. The consumer goods space appreciated by 1.94 per cent, and the industrial goods industry expanded by 0.43 per cent.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 349.96 points to 252,508.19 points from 252,158.23 points, and the market capitalisation grew by N226 billion to N161.839 trillion from N161.613 trillion.
A total of 42 stocks appreciated during the session, while 29 stocks depreciated, implying a positive market breadth index and strong investor sentiment.
The quartet of CWG, DAAR Communications, Fidson, and Livestock Feeds gained 10.00 per cent each to sell for N23.10, N1.87, N113.00, and N10.45, respectively, while Berger Paints rose by 9.97 per cent to N140.10.
On the flip side, NCR Nigeria lost 10.00 per cent to close at N179.10, Zichis decreased by 9.99 per cent to N36.32, First Holdco shed 9.87 per cent to trade at N71.20, Neimeth dropped 9.66 per cent to N172.00, and Eterna eased by 9.59 per cent to N33.00.
At midweek, investors transacted 1.9 billion shares for N118.1 billion in 76,557 deals compared with the 2.0 billion shares worth N87.7 billion traded in 80,888 deals on Tuesday.
This showed that the value of transactions surged by 34.66 per cent, the volume of trades went down by 5.00 per cent, and the number of deals declined by 5.35 per cent.