The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a strong rebound on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as the All-Share Index gained 1,324.1 points to close at 251,635.4 points.
The rally ended a four-session losing streak and was largely driven by gains in BUA Cement and major banking stocks.
The latest performance represents a 0.53 per cent increase from the previous close of 250,204.8 points.
Trading activity also improved significantly, with total volume rising to 703.9 million shares from 528 million shares recorded in the previous session.
Market capitalisation advanced to N161.2 trillion across 64,539 deals, compared to N160.36 trillion posted a day earlier.
Investor sentiment remained bullish as the market’s year-to-date return climbed to 61.71 per cent from 60.79 per cent in the previous trading session.
Access Holdings emerged as the most traded stock by volume after investors exchanged 88.4 million shares during the session.
Linkage Assurance followed with 46.2 million units traded, while Sterling Financial Holdings Company recorded 44.9 million shares.
Secure Electronic Technology posted a turnover of 35.03 million shares, while Zenith Bank traded 30.3 million shares, reflecting sustained investor interest in tier-one banking stocks.
On the value chart, Zenith Bank led with transactions worth N3.9 billion.
Aradel Holdings followed with N3.3 billion in traded value, while MTN Nigeria, Access Holdings, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company recorded N3.1 billion, N2.2 billion, and N1.9 billion respectively.
On the gainers’ chart, FTN Cocoa led the rally after appreciating by 10 per cent to close at N9.79 per share.
Zichis Agro-Allied followed closely with a 9.97 per cent gain to settle at N29.13.
Sky Aviation rose by 9.79 per cent to close at N156.95, while Caverton gained 9.76 per cent to settle at N6.75.
Japaul Gold also advanced by 9.73 per cent to close at N3.72 per share.
Despite the overall positive market performance, some stocks recorded losses during the session.
Unilever Nigeria topped the losers’ chart after shedding 10 per cent to close at N153.00.
Trans-Nationwide Express declined by 9.92 per cent to N6.99, while Sovereign Trust Insurance dropped 9.81 per cent to N2.39.
McNichols fell by 9.26 per cent to close at N7.25, while Austin Laz lost 7.28 per cent to settle at N4.20.
Sectoral performance showed mixed results during the trading session.
The NGX Industrial Goods Index recorded the strongest gain, rising by 2.27 per cent, while the NGX Banking Index advanced by 0.98 per cent.
However, the NGX Insurance Index declined by 1.64 per cent, while the Oil and Gas Index slipped by 0.32 per cent.
The Consumer Goods Index also recorded a loss of 0.93 per cent.
Market analysts noted that a successful break above the 252,400 resistance level on the All-Share Index could signal a stronger return of bullish momentum in the market.
