Equities Market Ends March With N516bn Surge

The Nigerian equities market has ended March, 2026 on a positive note, with a N516 billion gain, as investors showed renewed confidence in the market, particularly in large-cap stocks.

The All Share Index (ASI) gained by 803.35 points, representing a growth of 0.40 per cent to close at 201,287.78 points. Also, market capitalisation gained N516 billion to close at N129.210 trillion.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), PZ Cussons Nigeria, Lafarge Africa, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Cadbury Nigeria.

On market outlook, Imperial Asset Managers Limited said, “looking ahead, we expect the market to remain mixed in the short term, with investor attention increasingly pivoting to first quarter 2026 earnings releases and dividend declarations as the corporate reporting season gathers momentum. Sector rotationinto Oil & Gas already visible in today’s session may persist, alongside selective interest in insurance and growth-oriented counters that have underperformed the broader market year-to-date.

“We maintain our selective investment stance and advise investors to focus on fundamentally sound, dividend-paying stocks with strong earnings visibility, while leveraging any near-term price pullbacks as accumulation opportunities for medium- to long-term value creation.”

Investor sentiment remained broadly negative, as market breadth closed at 20 gainers against 49 decliners. Multiverse Mining & Exploration recorded the highest price gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N18.35, per share. International Energy Insurance followed with a gain of 9.49 per cent to close at N3.23, while Chams Holding Company rose by 8.40 per cent to close at N4.39, per share.

MTNN appreciated by 5.85 per cent to close at N760.00, while PZ Cussons Nigeria up by 4.59 per cent to close at N82.00, per share.

On the other hand, NPF Microfinance Bank led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N6.30, per share. Skyway Aviation Handling Company followed with a decline of 9.97 per cent to close at N143.10, while Zichis Agro Allied Industries declined by 9.96 per cent to close at N13.65, per share.

Mutual Benefits Assurance depreciated by 9.91 per cent to close at N4.09, while RT Briscoe declined by 9.90 per cent to close at N9.65, per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume traded increased by 49.63 per cent to 887.683 million units, valued at N35.560 billion, and exchanged in 53,436 deals. Transactions in the shares of Wema Bank topped the activity chart with 184.133 million shares valued at N4.788 billion. VFD Group followed with 103.560 million shares worth N1.191 billion, while Secure Electronic Technology traded 59.331 million shares valued at N63.755 million.

Chams Holdings traded 38.558 million shares valued at N151.971 million, while Access Holdings sold 27.768 million shares worth N720.086 million.