NGX Gains N240bn as Market Closes Strong

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) rounded off Thursday’s trading session on a strong note, with a notable N240 billion surge in market capitalisation. This positive close reflects sustained investor confidence in the equities market, even as trading volume and turnover witnessed marginal declines.

The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 382.13 points, representing a 0.35% gain, to close at 109,231.96 points. This performance elevated the NGX’s weekly return to 3.24%, the four-week return to 4.81%, and year-to-date return to 6.13%. Market capitalisation rose correspondingly from N68.46tn to N68.70tn.

Despite the upbeat close, market activity experienced a mild slump. A total of 554.1 million shares valued at N14.3 billion were exchanged in 16,704 transactions—marking a 6% drop in volume, a 23% drop in turnover, and a 5% fall in deal count compared to the previous trading session.

Out of the 128 listed equities that participated in the day’s trade, 38 posted gains while 21 recorded losses, suggesting broad-based market strength.


Beta Glass Plc topped the gainers’ chart with a maximum 10% increase, closing at N160.65 per share. Chellarams Plc followed closely, also rising 10% to settle at N9.46. International Energy Insurance Plc climbed 9.93% to N1.66, while May & Baker Nigeria Plc and Academy Press Plc each gained 9.78%, ending at N10.10 and N3.93 respectively. University Press Plc rounded out the top gainers with a 9.77% uptick to N4.83.

On the flip side, Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc declined by 10% to close at N7.47, leading the losers’ chart. Livestock Feeds Plc lost 9.77% to settle at N7.85, while Legend Internet Technologies Plc slipped 8.5% to N9.15. Deap Capital Management dropped 6.48% to N1.01, and Tantalizers Plc fell by 5.74% to N2.30, despite being among the most traded by volume.


Fidelity Bank Plc led in volume with 69.8 million shares traded, trailed by Access Holdings Plc with 65.8 million shares. Tantalizers Plc accounted for 55.1 million units, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and United Bank for Africa followed with 46 million and 30.2 million shares respectively.


Sectoral indices reflected the general bullish trend. The NGX Banking Index climbed 1.02%, while the Industrial Goods Index appreciated by 0.98%. The Premium Board Index posted a 0.73% gain, and the Insurance and Pension indices rose by 0.33% and 0.25% respectively—suggesting widespread investor optimism across financial and industrial sectors.


The latest bullish trend underscores investor resilience amid macroeconomic challenges and regulatory adjustments. Analysts attribute the market’s sustained momentum to stronger corporate earnings, relatively stable foreign exchange conditions, and continued interest in fundamentally sound stocks.

Earlier in the week, the market kicked off on a positive note with a N307 billion gain on Monday—driven largely by buying pressure in blue-chip stocks across the banking and industrial sectors.


Market experts predict that barring any adverse macroeconomic developments, the Nigerian Exchange will likely maintain its positive trajectory. Continued earnings season disclosures and foreign investor inflows could serve as key catalysts for further gains.

As the NGX sustains its recovery pace, investors are advised to focus on fundamentally strong stocks with consistent dividend histories and resilience to economic shocks.