Nigerian Equities market sustain gains… ASI up 0.1%

At the close of trade today, the  All-Share index appreciated 11bps to 40,341.05 points as a result of gains in FLOURMILL (+6.9%), MOBIL (+9.4%) and WAPCO (+1.4%). Consequently, the YTD return improved to 0.2% while market capitalisation advanced by ₦23.6bn to settle at ₦21.1tn. Activity level retreated as volume and value traded declined 59.9% and 12.6% respectively to 468.1 units and ₦7.0bn. The most traded stocks by volume were ZENITH (45.8m units), LASACO (40.7m units) and UBA (31.8m units) while MTNN (₦2.2bn), ZENITH (₦1.2bn) and GUARANTY (₦592.7m) topped by value.

Performance across sectors was positive as all indices under our coverage gained save the AFR-ICT index that closed flat. The Insurance index led the gainers, advancing 4.1% due to price uptick in MANSARD (+9.5%), CUSTODIAN (+2.6%) and AIICO (+2.6%). Similarly, the Oil & Gas and Consumer Goods indices appreciated 1.7% and 0.1% respectively due to buying interest in MOBIL (+9.4%) and FLOURMILL (+6.9%). The Banking and Industrial Goods indices also gained 8bps apiece as ACCESS (+1.1%), ZENITH (+0.4%), and WAPCO (+1.4%) ticked higher. 

Investor sentiment as measured by market breadth (advance/decline ratio) increased to 1.9x from the 1.3x recorded previously as 31 stocks advanced against 16 decliners. ACADEMY (+10.0%), VERITASKAP (+10.0%) and SOVRENINS (+10.0%) were the best-performing tickers while CHELLARAMS (-10.0%), LIVESTOCK (-9.7%) and CHIPLC (-8.8%) were the losers. We believe the positive sentiment would be sustained till the close of the week.

Market Statistics for Wednesday, 13th January 2021