The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a positive close on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with market capitalisation rising by N103.90 billion, as gains in oil and gas, banking, and insurance stocks outweighed a decline in trading activity.
The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced from 247,513.63 points to 247,673.65 points, representing a 0.065% increase. Market capitalisation correspondingly rose from N160.71 trillion to N160.81 trillion, according to data from the exchange.
Oil, Banking, and Insurance Stocks Drive Market Performance
Leading the positive performance were stocks in the oil and gas, banking, and insurance sectors. Notable gainers included Aradel Holdings and Wema Bank, which contributed to the overall upward trajectory of the market.
The positive close extended the market's recent positive run, although overall trading activity saw a significant drop. The number of shares traded declined by 20.11% to 314.90 million, down from 394.16 million shares in the previous session. Similarly, the number of deals fell by 20.02% to 30,922 from 38,660.
Top Gainers and Losers on the NGX
Among the top gainers, Austin Laz & Company led with a 10.00% rise, climbing from N2.20 to N2.42, adding N0.22. eTranzact International followed with a 9.76% gain, moving from N14.35 to N15.75, adding N1.40. Livestock Feeds rose by 9.71%, increasing from N15.45 to N16.95, gaining N1.50. Critical Minerals Financing Corp advanced by 9.60%, from N3.23 to N3.54, adding N0.31, while Fortis Global Insurance gained 9.38%, from N1.60 to N1.75, adding N0.15.
On the losing side, UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust recorded the biggest decline, falling 9.96% from N26.10 to N23.50, losing N2.60. UPDC Plc shed 6.02%, dropping from N4.15 to N3.90, losing N0.25. Regency Alliance Insurance declined by 4.88%, from N0.82 to N0.78, losing N0.04. Veritas Kapital Assurance fell 3.57%, from N1.12 to N1.08, down N0.04, and R. T. Briscoe (Nigeria) declined by 3.14%, from N9.55 to N9.25, shedding N0.30.
Most Active Stocks and Trading Volume
During the session, a total of 314.90 million shares were exchanged across 30,922 deals. Access Holdings dominated trading by volume, with 99.37 million shares exchanged. Zenith Bank followed with 17.77 million shares traded.
The positive market close occurred despite a broader regulatory development. Earlier, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disowned online investment platform WayvePay, warning Nigerians against investing through the company due to concerns about its unregistered operations. WayvePay, described as the digital banking platform of Wayve Microfinance Bank, had announced it was making the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals initial public offering (IPO) accessible to customers. The SEC warning was contained in a public notice dated Friday, October 9, 2026, signed by the commission's management and published on its official website.
