The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market indicators extended price growth on Thursday, appreciating further by 0.77 per cent amid gains by petroleum equities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index inched 251.26 points or 0.77 per cent to close at 32,937.98 compared with 32,686.72 achieved on Wednesday.

In the same vein, the market capitalisation rose by N87 billion or 0.77 per cent to close at N11.386 trillion against N11.299 trillion recorded on Wednesday.

An analysis of the price movement table indicated that major oil companies recorded price growth, with Seplat leading the gainers’ table with N39.13 to close at N425 per share.

Forte Oil followed with gain of N5.41 to close at N58.39 and Total gained N4.49 to close at N279.50 per share.

Okomu Oil increased by N2.88 to close at N60.63, while Presco added N2.83 to close at N59.53 per share.

Conversely, Dangote Cement recorded the highest loss for the day, shedding N3.97 to close at N205 per share.

Julius Berger trailed with a loss of N1.86 to close at N38 and Guaranty Trust Bank shed 15k to close at N33.55 per share.

Lafarge Africa declined by 11k to close at N52.64, while Golden Guinea Breweries dropped by 4k to close at 81k per share.

Also, the volume of shares traded closed higher as investors bought and sold 528.69 million shares worth N4.84 billion transacted in 5,603 deals.

NAN reports that this was in contrast with 499.11 million shares valued at N4.07 billion exchanged in 6,424 deals on Wednesday.

Access Bank of the banking sub-sector emerged the toast of investors, trading 81.83 million shares worth N32.43 million.

FBN Holdings followed with an account of 71.43 million shares valued at N471.73 million, whileUnited Bank for Africa traded 47.13 million shares worth N586.54 million.

FCMB Group sold 47.05 million shares valued at N65.05 million, while Fidelity Bank exchanged 47.02 million shares worth N61.94 million. (NAN)