Lagos: The Nigerian stock market rebounded on Friday, ending four straight sessions of losses with a N285 billion lift to investors’ portfolios. Renewed interest in stocks such as Julius Berger, Learn Africa, Cornerstone Insurance, Aso Savings, and Ikeja Hotel boosted sentiment.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Nigerian Exchange market capitalisation, which opened at N97.543 trillion, rose by N285 billion or 0.29 per cent. Similarly, the All-Share Index increased by 0.29 per cent or 449.80 points to 154,126.46, up from 153,676.66 on Thursday. The year-to-date return climbed to 49.74 per cent. Market breadth, however, closed negative, with 35 losers against 31 gainers.

Eterna, McNicholas, and Deap Capital fell by 10 per cent each to close at N36, N2.97, and N1.71 per share. Sunu Assurances shed 9.98 per cent to N4.51, while UPDC declined 9.93 per cent to N6.17 per share. On the gainers’ side, Julius Berger and Learn Africa rose 10 per cent each to N151.80 and N6.49 per share. Cornerstone Insurance gained 9.82 per cent to N6.15, Aso Savings advanced 9.57 per cent to N1.03, and Ikeja Hotel rose 8.36 per cent to N18.80.

Total trades amounted to 5.2 billion shares worth N45.2 billion across 30,598 deals. Cornerstone Insurance topped activity with 4.68 billion shares valued at N22.13 billion. Guaranty Trust Holding Company traded 66.4 million shares worth N5.9 billion, while Access Holdings moved 46.6 million shares valued at N1.11 billion. Oando exchanged 32.1 million shares worth N1.6 billion, and Universal Insurance traded 27.5 million shares valued at N31.9 million.