The   market capitalisation of equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed N25 billion higher yesterday as the stock market reacted positively to reports that the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) has openly told shareholders of the rescued banks to recapitalise them.
The market capitalisation closed at N6.076 trillion, up from N6.052 trillion the previous day, while the NSE All-Share Index, which went down the previous day appreciated by 0.41 per cent  to close the week on a positive note at 24,846.64.
Operators said that investors were excited by the development, stressing that it would help in dousing tension and uncertainty created by the CBN’s earlier plans to sell the banks to foreign investors.
Thirty-one stocks appreciated in value - including 11 banks. Nigerian Bottling Company Plc led the price gainers with N1.25 to close at N32.75 per share. Nigerian Bottling Company Plc trailed with a gain of N1, just as Nigerian Breweries Plc chalked up N0.65 to close at N65.46 per share.
Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Ecobank Nigeria Plc garnered N0.49, N0.26, N0.23 and N0.20 respectively.
Other top price gainers included Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (N0.19); National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc (N0.17); Diamond Bank Plc (N0.13); Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (N0.12); Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc (N0.11); Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, Access Bank Plc (N0.10); Nigerian Bags Manufacturing Company Plc and C & I Leasing Plc (N0.09 apiece).
Conversely, Oando Plc led the price losers with N2 to close at N70 per share. African Petroleum Plc shed N1.10 to close as the second highest price loser, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc slid by N0.85 and N0.81 in that order.
PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Poly Products Nigeria Plc declined by N0.50, N0.35, N0.20 and N0.14 respectively.
Other price losers included Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (N0.13); UAC of Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc (N0.10 each); Redstar Express Plc (N0.09); Starcomms Plc, May & Baker Nigeria Plc (N0.06 apiece).
Meanwhile, equities turnover stood at 440.548 million shares worth N1.956 billion exchanged in 5,544 deals, up from 228.852 million shares valued at N1.690 billion in 5,709 deals yesterday.  The insurance sub-sector led the activity chart with 110.784 million valued at N120.140 million in 222 deals. Niger Insurance Plc dominated the sub-sector with 102.445 million shares worth N111.077 million exchanged in 25 deals.
The banking sub-sector closed as the second most active, selling 72.134 million shares worth N629.651 million in 2,775 deals.  United Bank for Africa Plc led the sub-sector with 18.839 million shares valued at N188.572 million traded in 244 deals.