The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed the week on a positive note, with the All-Share Index climbing 2.36% to close at 166,129.50 points, while market capitalisation rose 2.48% to reach N106.354 trillion. This uptick was driven by strong investor demand across most sectors, with financial services stocks leading the trading activity.
Financial Services Sector Dominates Trading Volume
Total trading for the week reached 4.607 billion shares valued at N130.636 billion across 263,439 deals, a significant increase from the 4.164 billion shares worth N94.026 billion recorded in 248,254 deals the previous week. The Financial Services industry dominated the week's activity, accounting for 67.84% of total equity turnover by volume, with 3.126 billion shares valued at N47.225 billion in 94,186 deals.
The Services industry came second with 353.436 million shares worth N5.096 billion in 17,764 deals, while the ICT industry ranked third with 277.263 million shares valued at N18.009 billion across 28,525 deals. Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Access Holdings Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc were the three most traded equities by volume, collectively accounting for 1.406 billion shares worth N9.735 billion in 11,732 deals. That figure represents 30.52% of total volume and 7.45% of total value for the week.
Top Gainers and Notable Price Movements
Market breadth held positive for the week, though it softened slightly compared to the prior week. A total of 80 equities recorded price gains, down from 84 the week before, while 17 equities declined and 50 closed flat. NCR (Nigeria) Plc posted the biggest gain, jumping from N79.95 to N128.55, a rise of 60.79%. SCOA Nigeria Plc followed, climbing 59.36% from N9.35 to N14.90, while DEAP Capital Management and Trust Plc advanced 48.67% from N3.00 to N4.46. Jaiz Bank Plc gained 45.73%, moving from N5.62 to N8.19.
Other notable gainers included Omatek Ventures Plc (+38.28%), Red Star Express Plc (+25.71%), UPDC Plc (+24.00%), E-Tranzact International Plc (+22.33%), Secure Electronic Technology Plc (+21.35%) and Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc (+20.73%).
Decliners and Sectoral Indices Performance
On the losing side, Ikeja Hotel Plc shed the most ground, falling 12.38% from N40.00 to N35.05. Austin Laz and Company Plc dropped 9.20% from N4.13 to N3.75, and Eterna Plc declined 7.71% from N35.00 to N32.30. Universal Insurance Plc, Eunisell Interlinked Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Nascon Allied Industries Plc also closed lower for the week.
Most sectoral indices closed higher, with the exception of the NGX AFR Dividend Yield Index, which dipped 0.15%. The week's performance reflects continued investor confidence in the Nigerian equity market, with the All-Share Index and market capitalisation both recording notable gains.
