Nigeria’s equities market gains N235 billion as the benchmark All-Share Index, ASI, rises 0.15 per cent, extending its positive run to three consecutive sessions.
The latest advance lifts the market’s capitalization to N158.513 trillion from N158.278 trillion in the previous session, as continued buying interest in selected large-cap stocks keeps the market on an upward trajectory. The gain also pushes the market’s year-to-date return to 57.81 per cent.
The ASI, which tracks the performance of listed equities on the Nigerian Exchange increased by 364.26 points to close at 245,573.60, compared with 245,209.34 recorded at the previous trading session.
Despite the positive movement in the benchmark index, trading remained mixed across individual stocks, with more equities closing lower than higher.
Market breadth stood at 24 losers against 22 gainers, indicating that the overall market advance was driven by gains in a relatively smaller group of stocks.
Red Star Express recorded the biggest decline, shedding 10 per cent to close at N18 per share. CAP followed closely, falling 9.98 per cent to N115.45, while John Holt declined 9.82 per cent to N10.10. ABC Transport dropped 9.57 per cent to N5.20, while Legend Internet lost 8.70 per cent to close at N4.20 per share.
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On the gainers’ side, UPDC led with a 9.23 per cent increase, closing at N3.55 per share. Computer Warehouse Group rose 6.56 per cent to N19.50, while AXA Mansard Insurance advanced 4.80 per cent to N13.10.
Neimeth International Pharmaceutical gained 4.24 per cent to finish at N8.60, while Cutix appreciated by four per cent to close at N2.60 per share.
Trading activity also strengthened significantly during the session. Total volume increased by 185.55 per cent to 1.52 billion shares, compared with the previous session, while the value of transactions stood at N26.65 billion across 42,580 deals.
Fortis Global Insurance dominated trading by volume, accounting for 824.46 million shares, or 54.29 per cent of the total volume traded during the session.
In terms of value, Access Corporation led activity with transactions worth N4.67 billion, representing 17.52 per cent of the total value traded.
The latest performance adds to the strong showing of Nigeria’s equities market in 2026. The market has experienced periods of sharp gains and corrections during the year, with investor activity increasingly concentrated in selected equities as market participants respond to company fundamentals, corporate earnings, dividend prospects and broader economic conditions.
With the ASI now at 245,573.60 points and the year-to-date return at 57.81 per cent, investors will be watching whether the buying momentum can continue in the next trading sessions or give way to profit-taking following the market’s extended gains.
NAN
