Stock Market Loses N1.8trn In 5 Trading Days

The Nigerian equities market closed lower for the third consecutive week by N1.802 trillion loss, pressured by profit-taking in blue-chip tickers.

The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 2.27 per cent week-on-week to close at 250,330.92 points, while market capitalisation rose by N3.34 trillion to close the week at N160.444 trillion. Consequently, year-to-date returns strengthened to 60.87 per cent, underscoring continued positive investor sentiment.

The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 1.21 per cent week-on-week to close at 229,240.34 points, while market capitalization decreased by N1.80 trillion to close the week at N147.103 trillion.

Consequently, the month-to-date and year to-date returns settled at 1.6 per cent and 47.3 per cent, respectively.

The week’s performance was predominantly driven by losses in MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), Dangote Cement and Aradel Holdings.

Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth closed negative as 22 stocks gained, while 57 declined. Airtel Africa led the gainers table by 21.00 per cent to close at N5,274.00, per share. Regency Assurance followed with a gain of 20.25 per cent to close at 95 kobo, while UPDC went up by 12.31 per cent to close to N3.65, per share.

On the other side, International Energy Insurance led the decliners table by 18.83 per cent to close at N4.70, per share. McNichols followed with a loss of 18.60 per cent to close at N7.00, while University Press declined by 17.54 per cent to close at N4.70, per share.

Meanwhile, a total turnover of 3.821 billion shares worth N154.393 billion in 258,567 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.324 billion shares valued at N134.486 billion that exchanged hands last week in 249,328 deals.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 2.330 billion shares valued at N54.606 billion traded in 108,978 deals: contributing 60.99 per cent and 35.37 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Services Industry followed with 509.473 million shares worth N16.353 billion in 16,527 deals, while the Consumer Goods Industry pulled a turnover of 216.344 million shares worth N8.057 billion in 25,963 deals.

Trading in the top equities, Sterling Financial Holdings Company, Access Holdings and Ikeja Hotel accounted for 1.405 billion shares worth N28.370 billion in 12,898 deals, contributing 36.78 per cent and 18.37 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Looking ahead, Cordros Securities Limited stated that “we expect market sentiment to improve as investors selectively accumulate beaten-down stocks at attractive entry points, favouring fundamentally sound counters ahead of the H1, 2026 earnings season.

“Nonetheless, elevated yields on government instruments are expected to sustain competition for investor liquidity, with anticipated primary market activity remaining a headwind to equities.”