Stock Market Returns To Positive Position, Gains N649bn

The Nigerian stock market, on Thursday, reversed the negative direction witnessed in the previous two trading sessions, with a growth of N649 billion.

The All Share Index (ASI) gained 1,010.22 points, representing a growth of 0.52 per cent to close at 196,908.76 points. Also, market capitalisation gained N649 trillion to close at N126.399 trillion.

The upturn was driven by gains in medium- and large-capitalised stocks, including Transcorp Hotels, BUA Cement, Fidson Healthcare, CAP, and Guinness Nigeria.

On market performance, Imperial Asset Managers Limited stated that the bullish trend was driven by the return of investor confidence and selective accumulation in fundamentally strong stocks.

“Overall, the session reflects a return of investor confidence, supported by selective accumulation in fundamentally strong stocks amid a positive macroeconomic environment and above-par corporate earnings released so far for the full year 2025 season.”

Of the 132 traded stocks, 30 advanced, 30 declined, and 62 closed unchanged, indicating mixed market breadth. FTN Cocoa Processors recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N6.27 per share. Fidson Healthcare followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N105.35, while DEAP Capital Management & Trust was up by 9.89 per cent to close at N7.00 per share.

Caverton Offshore Support Group rose by 9.40 per cent to close at N6.40, while Livestock Feeds appreciated by 9.30 per cent to close at N7.05 per share.

On the other hand, Eterna and Omatek Ventures led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent each, closing at N42.30 and N2.52, respectively, while SCOA Nigeria followed with a 9.94 per cent decline to close at N22.65 per share.

Fortis Global Insurance depreciated by 9.24 per cent to close at N1.08, while Sovereign Trust Insurance declined by 9.09 per cent to close at N2.10 per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume traded declined by 25.84 per cent to 549.781 million units, valued at N44.736 billion, and exchanged in 55,465 deals. Transactions in the shares of Fortis Global Insurance topped the activity chart with 32.182 million shares valued at N34.775 million. Access Holdings followed with 28.124 million shares worth N700.986 million, while First Holdco traded 27.722 million shares valued at N1.385 billion.

Zenith Bank traded 27.483 million shares valued at N2.559 billion, while Dangote Cement sold 26.893 million shares worth N20.671 billion.