Investors in the Nigerian equities market gained N1.7 trillion at the close of trading on Thursday.

This followed a surge in the share prices of stocks like FTN Cocoa Processors, Caverton Offshore Support Group and Haldane McCall, among others, on the trading floor.

The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 124,446.8 points from 121,989.67 points recorded the previous day.

After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalisation increased to N78.7 trillion from the N76.9 trillion posted by the bourse on Wednesday.

The market breadth was positive, with 70 stocks advancing, 10 stocks declining, and 67 stocks remaining unchanged in 27,875 deals.

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FTN Cocoa Processors, Caverton Offshore Support Group and Haldane McCall led other gainers with 10% growth each in prices to close at N6.82, N8.36 and N4.73 from the previous N6.20, N7.60 and N4.30 per share.

Neimeth International Pharma, Legend Internet and Industrial & Medical Gases led other price decliners with 9.91%, 9.88% and 7.36% dip in share prices to close at N9.00, N7.21 and N34.00 from the previous N9.99, N8.00 and N36.70 per share.

On the volume index, Access Holdings Plc led trading with 174 million shares in 1,537 deals, followed by AIICO Insurance Plc, which traded 81 million shares in 720 deals.

Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc traded 74 million shares in 341 deals.

On the value index, Access Holdings Plc traded stocks valued at N3.9 billion in 1,537 deals, followed by Nigerian Breweries Plc, which traded equities worth N3.8 billion in 522 deals.

United Bank of Africa Plc (UBA) traded shares valued at N2.5 billion in 1,054 deals.