The Nigerian stock market ended the week on a bullish note, as investors recovered from three consecutive days of losses with a ₦425 billion gain on Friday, August 22, 2025. The rally marked a significant comeback for traders on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), reflecting renewed investor confidence across key equities.
According to official market data, the recovery was driven by strong buying interest in leading stocks such as Beta Glass, FTN Cocoa Processors, UPDC, Veritas Kapital Assurance, Sovereign Trust Insurance, and over 46 other firms.
This surge pushed the market capitalization up by 0.48 percent, closing at ₦89.208 trillion, compared with ₦88.783 trillion recorded in the previous session.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 671.70 points, settling at 141,004.14, underscoring the positive turnaround.
Market breadth also reflected the bullish momentum, with 51 gainers against just 13 losers, a clear indicator of strong investor appetite.
On the gainers’ chart, Beta Glass Plc led the pack, appreciating by 10 percent to close at ₦449.35 per share.
It was closely followed by UPDC, FTN Cocoa Processors, Veritas Kapital Assurance, and Sovereign Trust Insurance, all recording notable price increases.
However, not all equities shared in the victory.
Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc topped the losers’ table, shedding 9.91 percent to close at ₦3.00 per share. Other laggards included McNichols, The Initiates Plc, E-Tranzact International, and NPF Microfinance Bank, which all witnessed price dips.
The NGX report showed a sharp spike in trading activity.
A total of 1.30 billion shares worth ₦47.84 billion were exchanged across 25,916 deals, reflecting a significant leap compared to the 573.75 million shares valued at ₦12.88 billion traded in 25,881 deals during the previous session.
Banking stocks once again dominated trading volumes, with Zenith Bank Plc taking the lead.
The Tier-1 lender accounted for 345.5 million shares worth ₦21.2 billion, highlighting investors’ continued preference for the banking sector as a safe haven in the volatile market.
Analysts say the rebound underscores strong resilience in Nigeria’s capital market despite ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, including inflationary pressures, naira fluctuations, and tight monetary policy.
Speaking on the development, a Lagos-based stockbroker, Mr. Chukwuemeka Okafor, noted that the impressive rally reflects bargain-hunting by institutional and retail investors.
“Many investors saw the three-day dip as an opportunity to re-enter the market.
The banking, insurance, and consumer goods sectors remain attractive, especially as corporate earnings reports continue to provide direction,” Okafor said.
He added that the sharp rise in trading volume suggests renewed foreign portfolio interest, boosted by Nigeria’s improving external reserves, which recently climbed above $41 billion.
While the banking sector dominated market activity, the insurance and industrial goods sectors also contributed significantly to the rally.
Analysts say the strong performance of Beta Glass reflects increased demand for consumer packaging products, while insurance stocks such as Veritas Kapital and Sovereign Trust Insurance benefited from renewed investor interest in low-priced equities.
Market watchers expect mixed sentiments in the coming week as investors react to new economic data and await policy signals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The ongoing recovery in the naira and the rise in external reserves could further strengthen confidence, but global market volatility remains a risk factor.
Investors are advised to watch key sectors such as banking, oil & gas, consumer goods, and insurance, which are likely to drive market direction in the near term.
The ₦425 billion rebound at the close of the week signals a positive shift in the Nigerian equities market, highlighting both the resilience of local investors and the potential for further growth.
With more than 51 companies recording gains, the Nigerian stock market appears set to sustain bullish momentum if macroeconomic fundamentals remain stable.