By Taiye Olayemi

The stock market began the week on a positive note on Monday, with investors gaining N400 billion as bullish sentiment dominated trading activities.

Specifically, the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) market capitalisation climbed by N400 billion, rising to N85.455 trillion from N85.055 trillion on Friday.

The All-Share Index also increased by 713.58 points or 0.53 per cent to close at 135,166.51 compared to 134,452.93 recorded on Friday.

This uptrend was driven by investor interest in stocks like; Academy Press, Champion Breweries, May and Baker and 43 other stocks.

The market breadth closed positive with 46 gainers and 25 losers.

On the gainers’ chart, Academy Press increased by 9.99 per cent, closing at N10.24 while Champion Breweries soared by 9.98 per cent, ending the session with N13.55 per share.

Tripple Gee climbed by 9.97 per cent, finishing at N3.86 and May and Baker rose by 9.94 per cent, closing at N18.80 per share.

Also, UANC gained by 9.92 per cent, settling at N60.40 per share.

On the losers’ chart, Livestock Feeds declined by 10 per cent, ending the session at N8.10 while The Initiates Plc dropped by 9.98 per cent, settling at N14.52 per share.

Ellah Lakes fell by 9.08 per cent, closing at N8.91 and NGX Group shed by 6.02 per cent, finishing at N75 per share.

Thomas Wyatt Nigeria lost by 5.54 per cent, settling at N2.90 per share.

795.59 million shares worth N23.2 billion were exchanged across 37,626 transactions, compared to 713.7 million shares worth N24.2 billion that was exchanged across 24,880 transactions earlier.

Transactions in the shares of Fidelity Bank topped the activity chart with 123 million shares worth N2.58 billion.

First City Monument Bank followed with 68.4 million shares valued at N670.14 million and Ja Paul Gold transacted 44.09 million shares worth N126.77 million.

Zenith Bank sold 31.03 million shares valued N2.25 billion and Access Corporation traded 29.06 million shares worth N816.79 million. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa