Week Kicks Off In Green As Equities Gain N155bn

The Nigerian equities market yesterday started the week positively as gains in BUA Cement Plc and 23 others pushed the market higher by N155 billion.

The All Share Index (ASI) gained by 244.53 points, representing a growth of 0.17 per cent to close at 142,377.56 points. Also, market capitalisation rose by N155 billion to close at N90.115 trillion.

Gains recorded in medium—and large-capitalised stocks impacted the upturn, including BUA Cement, MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), Eterna, Eunisell Interlinked, and Fidson Healthcare.

This week, United Capital Plc said, “We expect the market to rebound given the rate cut decision. Macroeconomic stability will boost investors’ confidence. Expectations of Q3, 2025 earnings release should lift the market. There are strong buy opportunities in the banking, industrial, Agricultural, and insurance sectors.”

Despite the index gain, market sentiment was bearish, with 36 declining stocks outnumbering 24 gainers. Thomas Wyatt Nigeria recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N3.63 per share. Living Trust Mortgage Bank followed with a gain of 9.90 per cent to close at N5.66, while Eterna rose by 9.86 per cent to close at N30.65 per share.

Caverton Offshore Support Group increased by 9.28 per cent to close at N6.83, while Fidelity Bank went up by 8.13 per cent to close at N19.95 per share.

On the other hand, AXA Mansard Insurance led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N14.40, per share. University Press followed with a decline of 9.85 per cent to close at N5.40, while Learn Africa declined by 9.72 per cent to close at N6.50, per share.

Julius Berger depreciated by 8.70 per cent to close at N136.50, while Cornerstone Insurance declined by 7.42 per cent to close at N5.86 per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume traded declined by 25.97 per cent to 383.945 million units, valued at N11.618 billion, and exchanged in 28,114 deals. Transactions in the shares of First Holdco topped the activity chart with 47.494 million shares valued at N1.472 billion.

Ellah Lakes followed with 24.462 million shares worth N290.869 million, while Veritas Kapital Assurance traded 21.872million shares valued at N44.660 million.