NGX Market Cap Hits N125trn as Investors Gain N1.3trn in Weekly Rally
The Nigerian equities market closed the week firmly in positive territory, with investors recording N1.3 trillion in gains as market capitalisation surged to N125.16 trillion.
Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 1,916.20 basis points, or 0.99 per cent, to close at 194,989.77 points.
The rally was driven by sustained buying in medium- and large-cap stocks, particularly in the Insurance and Industrial Goods sectors, as investors positioned for momentum plays amid improving sentiment.
Market capitalisation rose by N1, 299.10 billion week-on-week to N125.16 trillion, reflecting renewed risk appetite despite softer trading activity.
Total volume traded declined by 8.68 per cent, while total value of transactions fell sharply by 26.38 per cent, indicating selective accumulation rather than broad-based participation.
Stockbrokers reported that 820.51 million shares worth N28.33 billion were exchanged in 63,507 deals during the week.
On the activity chart, MBENEFIT led the volume table, accounting for 9.70 per cent of total trades, followed by ZENITHBANK (5.40 per cent), CHAMS (5.39 per cent), AIICO (5.20 per cent) and VERITASKAP (4.42 per cent).
In value terms, ZENITHBANK emerged as the most traded stock, accounting for 13.42 per cent of total market turnover, underscoring strong institutional participation in banking counters.
On the gainers’ chart, FIDSON, JAIZBANK and NPFMCRFBK each appreciated by a maximum of 10.00 per cent. They were trailed by DEAPCAP (+9.96 per cent), ZICHIS (+9.94 per cent), MBENEFIT (+9.94 per cent), CUSTODIAN (+9.94 per cent) and FTNCOCOA (+9.91 per cent), alongside 45 other advancing stocks.
Conversely, 22 equities closed in the red. NSLTECH led the laggards with a 10.00 per cent decline, followed by SOVRENINS (-9.73 per cent), ELLAHLAKES (-7.91 per cent), INTENEGINS (-5.56 per cent), ABCTRANS (-5.26 per cent) and LEARNAFRICA (-4.26 per cent).
Market breadth remained positive, with 53 gainers against 22 losers, reinforcing the underlying bullish tone. Sectoral performance reflected broad strength. The Insurance Index topped the chart with a 2.52 per cent gain, followed by the Industrial Goods Index, which rose 2.28 per cent. The Banking Index advanced 1.43 per cent, Consumer Goods appreciated 1.23 per cent, while Oil and Gas edged up 0.05 per cent. The Commodity Index closed flat.
Analysts say the sustained upward movement, which pushed the market capitalisation beyond the N125 trillion threshold, signals improving investor confidence and continued rotation into fundamentally strong counters as the market builds momentum heading into the new trading week.
