Equities investors are increasing their position in insurance and industrial stocks despite profit taking in banking, consumer goods and oil & gas stocks. The buy decision in favour of insurance and industrial stocks pushed the market higher by 0.12 percent at the close of trading on Tuesday.

In their weekly stock recommendation, Futureview research analysts maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Nigerian equities market this week, “anticipating continued upward momentum driven by strong corporate earnings”.

Read also: NEM Insurance, other major gainers push NGX-ASI higher by 0.70%

“Barring any major macroeconomic headwinds or negative market surprises, investor sentiment is expected to remain broadly positive,” they noted.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and equities Market Capitalisation increased from the preceding trading day’s close of 145,880.77 points and N92.294 trillion, respectively, to 146,055.89 points and N92.405 trillion.

In 31,155 deals, investors exchanged 1,277,235,754 shares worth N24.254billion. Lasaco, Japaul Gold, Sterling, AIICO and Access Holdings were actively traded.

Read also: Dangote Sugar, Berger Paints, others push NGX-ASI above 139,000 points

Ellah Lakes increased most from N14.60 to N16.06, adding N1.46 or 10 percent. Also, ABC Transport rose from N4.50 to N4.95, adding 45kobo or 10percent. Champion Breweries increased from N15.80 to N17.38, up by N1.58 or 10 percent. Prestige Assurance moved from N2 to N2.20, up by 20 kobo or 10 percent.

The market’s return year-to-date (YtD) increased to 41.90 percent. This month, the market has risen by 4.43 percent. This week it is up by 0.21 percent.

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Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.

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