Nigerian Exchange Index Declines, Market Cap Rises N390bn
The equities segment of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed lower as the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.21% to settle at 242,366.75 points.
The downturn was driven by profit-taking in select Industrial and Consumer Goods counters, which outweighed renewed buying interest in Banking heavyweights.
The session reflects a cautious market environment, with investors continuing to rebalance portfolios amid mixed sectoral performance.
Despite bearish trading, market capitalisation grew by 0.25%, or ₦390.32 billion, to ₦156.24 trillion, driven by additional shares listed. The market index, or All-Share Index, added 605.52 basis points in today’s trading session to close at 242,366.75
Total volume and total value of all transactions conducted in the local bourse declined by 24.96% and 44.46%, respectively. Stockbrokers reported that approximately 476.34 million units, valued at ₦29,625.19 million, were transacted in 40,992 deals.
FIRSTHOLDCO accounted for 16.55% of the market’s trading volume, followed by STERLINGNG (11.93%), ZENITHBANK (6.32%), FIDELITYBK (5.74%), and STANBIC (4.79%).
Reflecting its weight, FIRSTHOLDCO accounted for 21.03% of the total value of all trades, making it the most actively traded on the exchange.
FIRSTHOLDCO also topped the gainer chart, up by 9.98%, trailed by THOMASWY (+9.29%), LEGENDINT (+8.99%), TRIPPLEG (+8.96%), MCNICHOLS (+8.70%), WAPIC (+6.61%), and twenty-seven others.
A total of eighteen stocks depreciated. With a price depreciation of -9.85%, TRANSEXPR topped the worst performers’ chart, followed by INTBREW (-6.12%), HMCALL (-5.95%), DAARCOMM (-5.68%), NGXGROUP (-4.38%), and CONHALLPLC (-3.86%).
Hence, market breadth closed on a positive note, with 33 gainers and 18 losers. Sectoral performance was positive today as three of the five major market sectors increased.
The Banking sector led with +2.20%, followed by the Insurance sector (+0.74%), and the Oil & Gas sector (+0.003%). The Consumer goods and Industrial goods sectors declined by 0.27% and 0.23%, respectively. First Holdco Fires Up, Market Value Tops N3.6 Trillion
