Source: Nairametrics

Trading ended on a strongly positive note at the Nigerian Stock Exchange this week. The All Share Index opened the week at 31,005.17 basis points and closed at 31,426.63 basis points, up 1.36%.

Year to date, the index, however, remains marginally in the red, down 0.01%.

40 equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 38 in the previous week. 25 equities depreciated in price, lower than 29 of the previous week, while 103 equities remained unchanged higher than 102 equities recorded in the preceding week.

Top Gainers

Fidelity Bank Plc
Fidelity Bank was the best performing stock this week, up by 24.38%. The stock opened at N2.01 and closed at N2.50, up N0.49. Year to date, the stock is up 23.15%.

Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc
Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc opened at N1.90 and closed at N2.33, up N0.43 or 22.6%. Year to date, the stock is up 21.35%.

FCMB Group Plc
FCMB Group Plc gained 22.16% this week. The stock opened at N1.76 and closed at N2.15, up N0.39. Year to date, the stock is up 13.76%.

Access Bank Plc
Access Bank opened the week at N5.60 and closed at N6.50, up N0.90 or 16.07%. Year to date, the stock is down 4.41%.

The bank will be holding a court-ordered meeting at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island by 10 am. Agenda is to obtain shareholders approval for a proposed merger with Diamond Bank.

Royal Exchange Plc

Royal Exchange Plc gained 14.81% this week. The stock opened at N0.27 and closed at N0.31, up N0.04.

Redstar Express Plc
Redstar Express Plc opened the week at N4.40 and closed at N5, up N0.60. Year to date, the stock is up 19.05%.

The company this week released its results for the nine months ended December 2018. Turnover increased to N6.2 billion in 2017 to N7.5 billion in 2018. Profit before tax increased from N428 million in 2017 to N534 million in 2018. Profit after tax also rose from N291 million in 2017 to N363 million in 2018.

Wema Bank Plc
Wema Bank appreciated by 12.90% this week. The stock opened the week at N0.62 and closed at N0.70, up N0.08. Year to date, the stock is up 11.11%.

First Aluminum Nigeria Plc
First Aluminum Nigeria Plc also appreciated by 12.90% this week. The stock opened at N0.31 and closed at N0.35, up N0.04.

AIICO Insurance Plc
AIICO Insurance Plc opened the week at N0.63 and closed at N0.71, up N0.08 or 12.70%. Year to date, the stock is up by the same margin.

Linkage Assurance Plc
Linkage Assurance Plc rounds up the top 10 gainers for the week. The stock opened at N0.56 and closed at N0.63, up N0.07 or 12.50%. Year to date, the stock is down 12.5%.

Top Losers


Resort Savings and Loans Plc
Resort Savings and Loans Plc was the worst performing stock this week. The stock shed 23.08% this week, opening at N0.26 and closing at N0.20. Year to date, the stock is down 60%.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc
Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc shed opened at N0.26 and closed at N0.21, down N0.05 or 19.23% this week. Year to date, the stock is flat.

Medview Airline Plc
Medview Airline Plc declined by 9.76% this week. The stock opened at N2.05 and closed at N1.85, down N0.20. Year to date, the stock is down by the same margin.

McNichols Plc
McNichols Plc opened the week at N0.43, and closed at N0.39, down N0.04 or 9.30%. Year to date, the stock is down 17.02%.

Union Bank Plc
Union Bank Plc shed 8.9% this week. The stock opened at N6.75 and closed at N6.15, down N0.60. Year to date, the stock is up 9.82%.

ETranzact International Plc
Etranzact International Plc opened the week at N3.56 and closed at N3.25, down N0.31 or 8.71%. Year to date, the stock is down 17.72% and is trading at a year low.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc
Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc fell by 7.89% this week. The stock opened at N0.38, and closed at N0.35, down N0.03. Year to date, the stock is down by the same margin.

Seplat Petroleum Development Company
Seplat Petroleum Development Company opened the week at N576 and closed at N540, down N36 or 6.25%. Year to date, the stock is down 15.63%.

Fidson Healthcare Plc
Fidson Healthcare Plc shed 5.05% this week. The stock opened at N4.95 and closed at N4.70, down N0.25. Year to date, the stock is down 5.05%.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc rounds up the top 10 losers for the day, The stock declined by 4.76% opening at N0.21 and closing at N0.20. Year to date, the stock is down by the same margin.

Price Gainers and Losers

Meanwhile, 40 equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 38 in the previous week, while 25 equities depreciated in price, lower than 29 of the previous week.

Fidelity Bank Plc led the price gainers with 24.3 per cent, trailed by Caverton with 22.6 per cent. FCMB Group Plc chalked up 22.1 per cent, just as Access Bank Plc, Royal Exchange Plc and Red Star Express Plc garnered 16.0 per cent, 14.8 per cent and 13.6 per cent in that order.

Other top price gainers included: Wema Bank Plc, First Aluminium Nigeria Plc (12.9 per cent apiece); AIICO Insurance Plc (12.7 per cent) and Linkage Assurance Plc (12.5 per cent).

On the contrary, Resort Savings & Loans Plc led the price losers, shedding 23.0 per cent, trailed by Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc with 19.2 per cent. Medview Airline Plc depreciated by 9.7 per cent, just as MCNichols Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc shed 9.3 per cent and 8.8 per cent.

Other top price losers were: ETranzact International Plc (8.7 per cent); Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (7.8 per cent); Seplat Petroleum Development Plc (6.2 per cent);Fidson Healthcare Plc (5.0 per cent)