By Taiye Olayemi

The stock market continued on a positive note on Thursday, as performance indices grew by 0.53 per cent amid increased buying interest and bargain hunting.

Market capitalisation rose by N403 billion, or 0.53 per cent, to close at N76.583 trillion, compared with N76.180 trillion on Wednesday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) also increased by 637.27 points, or 0.53 per cent, to settle at 120,977.20.

The gain was driven by strong buying interest in medium and large-capitalised stocks such as Academy, Berger Paints, Deap Capital, Guinea Insurance, Unilever and 50 others.

Meanwhile, the market breadth also closed positive with 55 gainers and 15 losers.

On the gainers’ chart, Academy rose by 10 per cent, closing at N5.61 while Berger Paints also soared by 10 per cent, settling at N33 per share.

Deap Capital Management climbed by 10 per cent, ending the session at N1.10 while Guinea Insurance also gained by 10 per cent, finishing at 99k per share.

Similarly, Unilever grew by 9.96 per cent, closing at N56.85 per share.

On the other side, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical dropped by 8.49 per cent, settling at N7.22 while Legend Internet fell by 7.98 per cent, closing at N7.73 per share.

Computer Warehouse Group declined by 4.50 per cent, finishing at N13.80 and Sovereign Trust Insurance shed by 4.35 per cent, ending the session at N1.32 per share.

Also, VFD Group lost by 3.57 per cent, closing at N13.50 per share.

A total of 933.40 million shares worth N29.31 billion was traded across 24,207 transactions.

This is compared to 1.05 billion shares worth N12.17 billion that was exchanged across 21,964 transactions earlier.

Transactions in the shares of Universal Insurance topped the activity chart with 67.33 million shares worth N40.67 million.

This is followed by Access Corporation with 62.62 million shares valued at N1.46 billion while CHAMS sold 59.74 million shares worth N147.10 million.

Ja Paul Gold transacted 49.46 million shares valued at N147.88 million and Guaranty Trust Holding Company traded 40.64 million shares worth N3.37 billion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa