The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed the week on a positive note, with the All-Share Index rising by 3.94% and market capitalisation increasing significantly. Investors traded a total of 3.805 billion shares worth N213.955 billion in 297,202 deals during the week ending April 24, 2026. This represents an increase from the previous week's 3.588 billion shares valued at N195.313 billion traded in 254,553 deals.
Financial Services Stocks Dominate Trading
The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart by volume, accounting for 2.739 billion shares valued at N106.269 billion traded in 135,101 deals. This sector contributed 71.99% to total equity turnover volume and 49.67% to total equity turnover value. The Services Industry followed with 212.324 million shares worth N4.024 billion in 17,042 deals, while the Consumer Goods Industry ranked third with 180.076 million shares valued at N13.269 billion in 32,457 deals.
Trading in the top three equities—Access Holdings Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and FirstHoldCo Plc—accounted for 814.060 million shares worth N39.032 billion in 37,195 deals, contributing 21.40% and 18.24% to total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
Market Indices and Gainers
The NGX All-Share Index closed the week at 225,722.49 points, while market capitalisation stood at N145.335 trillion. A total of 46 equities appreciated during the week, lower than 61 equities in the previous week.
Top Price Gainers
- UACN Plc: N100.00 to N142.00 (+N42.00, +42.00%)
- Union Dicon Salt Plc: N16.50 to N21.90 (+N5.40, +32.73%)
- Nascon Allied Industries Plc: N156.00 to N206.90 (+N50.90, +32.63%)
- Trans-Nationwide Express Plc: N6.05 to N7.90 (+N1.85, +30.58%)
- Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc: N12.41 to N15.60 (+N3.19, +25.71%)
- CAP Plc: N95.00 to N118.50 (+N23.50, +24.74%)
- Lafarge Africa Plc: N243.00 to N294.90 (+N51.90, +21.36%)
- PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc: N77.60 to N92.20 (+N14.60, +18.81%)
- FirstHoldCo Plc: N64.00 to N75.00 (+N11.00, +17.19%)
- Unilever Nigeria Plc: N103.30 to N121.00 (+N17.70, +17.13%)
Top Price Decliners
On the losing side, 53 equities declined during the week. The top decliners included:
- Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc: N19.00 to N9.35 (-N9.65, -50.79%)
- Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc: N8.10 to N5.40 (-N2.70, -33.33%)
- Guinea Insurance Plc: N1.25 to N1.06 (-N0.19, -15.20%)
- Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc: N188.55 to N162.50 (-N26.05, -13.82%)
- LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc: N4.10 to N3.65 (-N0.45, -10.98%)
- Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc: N2.17 to N1.95 (-N0.22, -10.14%)
- Transcorp Power Plc: N302.90 to N272.70 (-N30.20, -9.97%)
- Meyer Plc: N18.65 to N16.80 (-N1.85, -9.92%)
- Legend Internet Plc: N6.25 to N5.65 (-N0.60, -9.60%)
- NPF Microfinance Bank Plc: N5.80 to N5.25 (-N0.55, -9.48%)
Market Outlook
The Nigerian stock market closed positively on Friday, extending its winning streak to nine consecutive sessions, driven by strong demand for blue-chip and mid-cap stocks. MTN Nigeria Communications Plc closed at N825.70, up 9.27%, its highest level. Gains were recorded across key sectors as investors continued to position in banking stocks.
The positive performance reflects growing investor confidence in the Nigerian equity market, with the Financial Services sector leading activity. Analysts expect the bullish trend to continue as more investors seek opportunities in the market.
