The levels of the equities market indices increased at the end of the first trading session of the week, supported largely by gains in Ecobank Ghana.

The Ghana Stock Exchange’s Composite Index (GSE-CI) increased by 7.14 points to ~2,359 points while the Databank Stock Index (DSI) moved up by 84.28 points to ~ 30,294 points.

The year-to-date returns of the GSE-CI and the DSI are 39.68% and 35.65% respectively.

Market activity for the day was subdued with a total of 26,766 shares valued at GH¢90,936 exchanging hands on the bourse.

Trades in Total Petroleum Ghana accounted for ~77% of the aggregate volume of shares traded in the day to emerge the most actively traded counter.

The market breadth was firmly positive with 3 gainers and no laggards. Total Petroleum Ghana was the top performer of the day. The counter advanced by 33Gp to settle at GH¢3.53.

Ecobank Ghana similarly edged up by 2Gp to GH¢7.60 while GCB Bank inched up by 1Gp to GH¢4.21.

Earnings Update for 9M-2017

Standard Chartered Bank recorded an increase in PAT of 24% to GH¢231 million for the 9M period as compared to GH¢186 million same period in 2016.

Ecobank Ghana’s PAT dipped by 35% to GH¢184 million for the 9M period as compared to GH¢284 million same period in 2016.

Access Bank reported a decrease in PAT of 16% to GH¢36.96 million for the 9M period as compared to GH¢43.85 million same period 2016.

Benso Oil Palm Plantation’s PAT declined by 1% to GH¢9 million for the 9M period as compared to GH¢9.1 million same period in 2016.