NGX ASI Surpasses 200,000 Points as Investors Gain N2 Trillion in Single Day
Nigeria's stock market experienced an unprecedented rally, with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) crossing the 200,000-point mark for the first time, fueled by robust investor demand and broad-based gains across key sectors. The benchmark index surged by 1.55 percent to close at 201,474.89 points, up from 198,407.3 points in the previous trading session. This milestone brings the month-to-date (MTD) return to 4.48 percent and the year-to-date (YTD) return to 29.47 percent, highlighting strong market momentum and investor confidence.
Market Capitalization and Investor Gains
Market capitalization expanded significantly to N129.33 trillion, up from N127.36 trillion recorded on Friday, representing a staggering N2 trillion gain in a single day. Large-cap stocks led the gains, with financial services stocks dominating trading volumes, reflecting heightened investor interest in the sector. Trading activity remained robust, with total deals rising to 72,700, while investors exchanged 948.1 million shares valued at N49.15 billion.
Leadership Insights on Market Milestone
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group, described this achievement as a clear sign of growing confidence in Nigeria's capital market. He emphasized that ongoing reforms are strengthening domestic capital formation, with increased participation by local investors, improving corporate fundamentals, and continued market modernization reinforcing the market's role as a catalyst for long-term wealth creation and sustainable economic growth.
Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, attributed the milestone to sustained demand and active participation across the market. He noted that crossing the 200,000-point mark reflects strong investor engagement and consistent demand across key sectors, with a focus on deepening market liquidity, enhancing trading infrastructure, and ensuring efficient price discovery to support a resilient and transparent marketplace.
Top Gainers and Decliners
Among the top gainers for the session were BUA Cement Plc, which recorded the highest price gain of 10 percent to close at N297, followed by Premier Paints Plc with a gain of 9.79 percent to close at N21.30, and John Holt Plc rising by 9.52 percent to close at N10.35 kobo. Guinea Insurance Plc and FTN Cocoa Processors Plc also saw significant increases.
On the other hand, decliners included VFD Group Plc, which led the losers' chart with a 10 percent decline to close at N11.25, followed by Royal Exchange Plc with a decline of 9.63 percent to close at N1.69, and Omatek Ventures Plc declining by 9.62 percent to close at N2.35 kobo. Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and Regency Alliance Insurance Plc also experienced losses.
Trading Volume and Activity Highlights
The total volume of shares traded rose by 60.43 percent to 948.212 million units, valued at N49.173 billion, and exchanged in 72,735 deals. Transactions in the shares of Sovereign Trust Insurance topped the activity chart with 72.564 million shares valued at N147.12 million. Access Holdings followed with 69.856 million shares worth N1.759 billion, while First HoldCo traded 67.031 million shares valued at N3.354 billion. Zenith Bank and Nigerian Breweries also saw substantial trading activity.
Market breadth was positive at the close of trading, with 38 advancing stocks surpassing 31 declining counters, underscoring the sustained momentum in Nigeria's equities market. This milestone continues to attract growing interest from both domestic and institutional investors, reinforcing the market's resilience and potential for future growth.
