The Nigerian stock market concluded the 2025 trading year on a resoundingly positive note, delivering substantial gains for investors in a final session marked by intense bargain-hunting. The sustained rally on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, significantly boosted the capitalisation of the market, enriching shareholders.
Market Indices Reflect Bullish Sentiment
The key benchmark, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI), recorded a solid gain of 645.19 points, representing an increase of 0.42%. It closed the session at 155,034.72 points, up from the previous day's close of 154,389.53 points. This upward movement directly translated into a massive expansion of market value.
Consequently, the total market capitalisation soared by N411 billion, climbing from N98.432 trillion recorded on Monday to settle at N98.843 trillion at the close of Tuesday's trading. This impressive growth underscores the heightened investor confidence that characterised the final trading day of the year.
Surge in Trading Activity and Market Breadth
Investor participation witnessed a dramatic spike, indicating robust market activity. The total volume of shares traded exploded by a staggering 213.33% to reach 4.7 billion units, a sharp rise from the 1.5 billion shares exchanged in the prior session.
Similarly, the total value of transactions rose by 9.58% to N38.9 billion, compared to N35.5 billion recorded on Monday. Interestingly, the number of executed deals saw a decline of 27.28%, totalling 34,852 deals against 47,892 previously.
The market breadth remained firmly positive, reflecting the prevailing bullish sentiment. A total of 46 equities appreciated in value, while 24 stocks declined, resulting in a favourable outcome for a majority of traded securities.
Top Performers and Notable Decliners
Guinea Insurance Plc led the pack of gainers, recording a maximum price appreciation of 10.00% to close at N1.32 per share. It was closely followed by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, which also gained 10.00% to finish at N21.45.
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc joined the top gainers with a 10.00% rise, settling at N152.90, while Austin Laz Plc appreciated by 9.94% to close at N3.87.
On the flip side, Union Dicon Salt Plc topped the losers' chart after its share price dipped by 10.00% to N6.30. Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc also fell by 10.00% to N3.42, and First Holdco Plc declined by 9.94% to N44.40.
Most Actively Traded Stocks
Cornerstone Insurance Plc dominated the activity chart by volume, accounting for a massive 3.7 billion shares valued at N18.5 million. FCMB Group Plc followed, trading 302.4 million shares worth N3.3 billion.
Other notable mentions in the volume leaders include Wema Bank Plc with 97.4 million shares valued at N1.9 billion, Access Holdings Plc with 75.1 million shares worth N1.6 billion, and Chams Plc, which sold 47.5 million shares for N169.5 million.
The strong market performance provides a optimistic backdrop for the Nigerian Exchange as it heads into the new year, with investors reaping significant rewards from the year-end rally.
