Courtesy of Forte Assets, here is the market report for the week ended April 3rd 2009:

A review of the week’s performance indicators chart shows a steady climb all through the week except for Monday. The ASI and Market Capitalisation decreased by 11.40 basis points (0.06%) and N3 billion (0.07%) on Monday to close at 19,825.08 points and  N4.477 trillion. Tuesday’s indices increased by 26.81 points (0.14%) and N7 billion (0.16%) to record 19,851.89 points and N4.484 trillion. On Wednesday, they appreciated by 19.80 points (0.10%) and N11 billion (0.25%) to close at 19,871.69 points and N4.495 trillion. The uptrend continued on Thursday as the indicators increased by 7.85 points (0.04%) and N2 billion (0.04%) to close at 19,879.54 points and N4.497 trillion. On Friday, they rose by 74.61 points (0.38%) and N17 billion (0.38%) to record 19,954.15 points and N4.514 trillion. Altogether, there were 117.67 points (0.59%) and N34 billion (0.76%) increases in the week under review.  However, market activities for the week reduced in contrast with the prior week. An overview shows the total volume of trades reducing by 37.86% from 2.76 billion units to 1.72 billion units, the value of trades by 28.22% from N13.59 billion to N9.76 billion and the number of deals by 4.70% from 28,216 deals to 26,891 deals.

Analysis of Top Percentage Gainers and Losers
More equities recorded price increases in the week under review as 47 (36%) stocks appreciated, 41(31%) shed weight, with 44 (33%) constant in their share prices as against 26 (20%) advancers, 63 (48%) decliners and 42 (32%) which were stagnant the previous week.

Top Gainers by Percentage
African Petroleum Plc was the highest price gainer in the week adding N15.62kobo (27.60%) to its previous week’s closing price to record N72.22. Other notable gainers were FTN Cocoa, Oando, Dangote Sugar, UACN among others.

Notable Price Gainers include:
AP  - 27.60%
UNILEVER - 22.48%
FTNCOCOA  - 16.67%
CADBURY - 16.11%
SKYEBANK - 15.76%
JAPAULOIL  - 15.48%
OANDO - 15.33%
NAHCO - 15.20%
DANGSUGAR - 14.62%
CHAMS  – 13.51%
DIAMONDBNK - 13.16%
UAC-PROP - 12.78%
UACN - 12.69%
LASACO - 10.84%
WAPCO - 9.76%

Top Losers by Percentage
R.T. Briscoe Plc had the highest percentage loss, shedding N2.81 (23.48%) to close at N9.16. Others were Wema Bank, C&I Leasing, ABC Transport, International Energy Insurance, to mention a few.

Notable price losers include:
RTBRISCOE   -23.48
ETI   -22.41
NASCON  -22.09
STDINSURE  -19.12%
WEMABANK  -18.22%
CUSTODYINS   -18.08%
AFRIBANK  -16.39%
CONTINSURE   -15.84%
CRUSADER   -14.22%
CILEASING   -14.19%
INTENEGINS   -13.04%
ABCTRANS  -11.11%
PLATINUM  -10.54%
NEIMETH   -9.50%
REDSTAREX   -9.50%

News

1. NSE Lists Courteville Investments Plc: A total of 2,960,000,000 Ordinary shares in favour of Courteville Investments Plc were newly listed on the Daily Official List of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on April 1, 2009.
2. Total Nigeria and FTN Cocoa Declare Dividends: The Board of Directors of Total Nigeria Plc approved a dividend of N9.13kobo per ordinary share. The register of members would close on April 20, 2009 while payment is fixed for June 29, 2009.
3. FTN Cocoa Processors Declares Dividends: The Board of FTN Cocoa Processors Plc proposed a dividend of 3.5kobo. Closure of register date is on May 11 while payment is on June 25, 2009. Details of the company’s financials will be reported when available.