THURSDAY, 14th October, 2021: Details from the website of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed that transactions closed in an upbeat with gains in several blue-chip stocks, especially that of Transcorp Hotel and Champion Breweries, as market capitalisation increased further by N80 billion.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also grew by 154.23 absolute points, which represented a rise of 0.38 per cent, to close at 41,051.19 points. Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value gained N80 billion to close at N21.391 trillion.
The market positive performance was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are; Okomu Oil, Lafarge Africa, Transcorp Hotels, Cadbury Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).
According to analysts at Afrinvest Limited,"We expect the positive momentum to be sustained in the next trading session as investors continue to rebalance their portfolio ahead of third quarter (Q3) earnings season.”
 Furthermore, the market breadth closed positive, recording 29 gainers and 14 losers. Transcorp Hotel recorded the highest price gain of 9.94 per cent to close at N5.97 kobo. Champion Breweries followed with a gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N2.78 kobo while Consolidated Hallmark Insurance went up 9.09 per cent to close at 60 kobo.
Okomu Oil up by 8.23 per cent to close at N125.00 kobo. University Press and Japaul Gold and Ventures appreciated by 6.67 per cent each to close at N1.60 kobo and 48 kobo.
On the other hand, FTN Cocoa Processors led the losers’ chart by eight per cent to close at 46 kobo while Associated Bus Company followed with a decline of 5.88 per cent to close at 32 kobo, per share.
Regency Alliance Insurance declined five per cent to close at 38 kobo, while Universal Insurance and Ikeja Hotels shed 4.55 per cent each to close at 21 kobo and N1.05kobo.