March 11, 2007	Sunday	Safar 21, 1428

LAGOS, March 10: Nigerian stocks inched higher this week as the All-Shares index rose 1.9 per cent to close at 41,103.81 points from 40,332.19 the previous week, brokers said on Saturday.

Market capitalisation of the 203 listed shares also rose to 5.82 trillion naira from 5.46 trillion last week, they said.

A turnover of 2.5bn shares valued at 26.8bn naira traded in 50,466 deals was recorded as against 2.2bn shares worth 28.44 billion naira exchanged in 48,445 deals in the preceding week. 73 stocks appreciated in value, higher than the 64 recorded last week.

Oil stock Mobil led the gainers with 10.99 naira to close at 193 naira per share, followed by Ecobank Transnational with 6.71 naira to close at 151.62 per share.

Thirty-four stocks depreciated during the week, lower than the 44 the preceding week.

Food stock Nestle led the losers with 21.29 naira to close at 325 naira per share, while Flour Mills followed with a loss of 6.52 naira to close at 71.99 per share.

The banking sub-sector was the most active during the week, with 1.3bn shares valued at 16.1 billion naira traded in 26,171 deals.—AFP