The Nigerian equities market maintained its positive momentum as sustained buying interest pushed the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index higher by 0.23 per cent to 251,191.02 points, extending gains in the domestic stock market.
Market capitalisation also increased by 0.23 per cent to settle at ₦163.06 trillion, reflecting the appreciation recorded across several equities during the trading session.
The latest performance lifted the NGX’s year-to-date return to 61.42 per cent, compared with 61.05 per cent in the previous session, reinforcing the strong gains accumulated by Nigerian equities since the beginning of 2026.
Eterna, NAHCO Lead Market Gains
The positive market performance was supported by gains in Eterna Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company and CMFC, which helped offset losses recorded by United Capital, Caverton Offshore Support Group and University Press.
Eterna emerged as the session’s strongest performer, appreciating by 10 per cent, while CMFC gained 9.76 per cent.
NAHCO also strengthened market momentum after advancing 7.69 per cent.
On the losing side, Caverton recorded the sharpest decline, falling 9.09 per cent, while University Press dropped 9 per cent.
United Capital declined by 5 per cent during the session.
The movement across these counters left the broader market in positive territory despite selling pressure on some equities.
Trading Volume Surges to 1.59bn Shares
Investor activity presented a mixed picture.
Total trading volume increased substantially by 89.97 per cent to 1.59 billion shares, signalling a sharp increase in the number of securities changing hands.
However, the value of transactions moved in the opposite direction, falling 5.66 per cent to ₦45.82 billion.
The combination of higher trading volume and lower transaction value indicates that the increased activity did not translate into a corresponding rise in the monetary value of trades.
According to the supplied market summary, Fidelity Bank recorded trading volume of 170.72 million shares, while transactions in the bank were valued at ₦3.41 billion.
Market Breadth Remains Positive
Investor sentiment remained positive, with the market recording more appreciating equities than decliners.
Market breadth stood at 2.17 times, with the supplied summary reporting 47 gainers against 24 losers.
Eterna occupied the top position on the gainers’ table following its 10 per cent appreciation, while Caverton led the losers after declining 9.09 per cent.
The positive breadth suggests that the session’s advance was supported by gains across a wider group of equities rather than being driven solely by a handful of large-cap stocks.
With the ASI’s year-to-date return now at 61.42 per cent, the performance also highlights the scale of the rally recorded by the Nigerian stock market so far this year.
NASD Index Falls 0.49% as Market Cap Drops to ₦2.64tn
Performance was weaker in the unlisted securities market, where the NASD OTC Securities Exchange closed in negative territory.
The NASD Security Index declined by 0.49 per cent to 4,390.84 points, while market capitalisation fell 0.38 per cent to ₦2.64 trillion.
The decline reduced the market’s year-to-date return to 23.90 per cent, from 24.51 per cent in the previous trading session.
The performance created a contrast between Nigeria’s two equity-market segments, with listed equities on the NGX advancing while the NASD OTC market retreated.
NASD Trading Activity Weakens
Activity on the NASD platform was also subdued during the session.
Total trading volume declined by 3.27 per cent to 1.90 million units, while transaction value decreased by 1.02 per cent to ₦236.33 million.
A total of 21 transactions were executed during the session, representing an 8.70 per cent decline from the previous session.
The simultaneous declines in trading volume, value and number of transactions indicate weaker activity in the unlisted securities market during the session.
Three NASD Stocks Decline
Market sentiment on the NASD platform remained negative, with one advancing security against three decliners.
SDFOODCPT was the sole advancing security, appreciating by 6.96 per cent.
At the opposite end of the market, SDUBNPROP recorded the steepest decline, shedding 9.09 per cent.
The weak breadth combined with lower trading activity weighed on the NASD Security Index and brought its year-to-date performance down to 23.90 per cent.
Overall, the day’s trading showed divergent performances across Nigeria’s equity markets, with the NGX maintaining its upward trajectory while the NASD OTC market recorded declines in both its benchmark index and market capitalisation.
