Trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) ended the week ended July 31, 2026, on a mixed note, as profit-taking activities pushed key benchmark indicators into negative territory.
The NGX All-Share Index declined by 0.84 per cent during the week to close at 245,283.68 points, while overall market capitalisation dropped by 0.79 per cent to N158.326 trillion.
Despite the weekly decline, the broader market outlook remains bullish, with the NGX All-Share Index maintaining a year-to-date return of 57.62 per cent.
Sector performance was largely bearish, with most sectoral indices recording losses.
However, some indices resisted the downward trend, including the NGX Premium Index, which gained 0.02 per cent, the NGX Insurance Index, which rose 1.72 per cent, and the NGX Sovereign Bond Index, which increased by 0.27 per cent.
Meanwhile, the NGX Growth Index recorded the largest decline, falling by 8.82 per cent.
Other major losers included the NGX MERI Growth Index, which dropped 4.23 per cent, NGX-AFR Bank Value Index, which declined by 2.99 per cent, and the NGX Consumer Goods Index, which fell by 2.29 per cent.
Despite the market decline, liquidity improved significantly during the review period as investor participation increased.
Total market turnover reached 5.119 billion shares valued at N404.762 billion across 285,223 deals.
This represented an increase from the previous week’s record turnover of 4.433 billion shares worth N306.143 billion traded in 255,589 deals.
The Financial Services Industry dominated trading activity, accounting for 3.918 billion shares valued at N271.428 billion across 123,514 deals.
The sector contributed 76.55 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 67.06 per cent of total market value.
The Services Industry ranked second with 203.203 million shares worth N3.061 billion traded in 18,333 deals.
The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 191.283 million shares valued at N13.203 billion exchanged in 30,730 deals.
Trading activity was heavily concentrated in three major stocks — First Holdco Plc, AVA Capital Plc and Access Holdings Plc.
The three companies jointly accounted for 2.308 billion shares valued at N224.773 billion across 27,359 deals.
Their combined activity represented 45.09 per cent of total trading volume and 55.53 per cent of total transaction value.
Market breadth closed negative as declining stocks outnumbered gainers.
A total of 33 equities appreciated during the week, compared with 57 in the previous week.
Meanwhile, 56 equities declined, up from 38 recorded in the preceding period, while 58 stocks remained unchanged compared with 51 previously.
Critical Minerals Financing Corp Plc emerged as the best-performing stock during the week, gaining 22.78 per cent to close at N3.88.
Coronation Infrastructure Fund followed with a 20.92 per cent increase to N154.30, while Thomas Wyatt Nig. Plc gained 20.66 per cent to close at N4.38.
Other notable gainers included Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, which rose 19.60 per cent, and Lasaco Assurance Plc, which appreciated by 18.68 per cent.
On the losers’ chart, Associated Bus Company Plc recorded the largest decline, falling 18.44 per cent to close at N5.75.
Fortis Global Insurance Plc declined by 16.13 per cent to N2.34, while Tripple Gee and Company Plc dropped 15.54 per cent to N2.88.
Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and International Breweries Plc also recorded losses, declining by 15.38 per cent and 13.87 per cent respectively.
The week also witnessed significant corporate restructuring and exchange-related activities.
On July 30, 2026, Fortis Global Insurance Plc listed an additional 15 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each on the Exchange following the conversion of an N12 billion debt into equity at N0.80 per share.
The transaction increased the company’s total paid-up shares to more than 18.227 billion.
Similarly, AVA Capital Plc listed its entire 5 billion ordinary shares of N1.00 each by introduction on the NGX Main Board on July 31, 2026.
The shares were listed at N7.50 per share under the ticker AVACAP.
The Exchange also carried out price adjustments for United Capital Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Exchange Group Plc following dividend declarations.
Beyond equities, Exchange-Traded Products recorded increased activity during the week.
A total of 4.607 million units valued at N549.378 million were traded in 6,535 deals, compared with 2.559 million units worth N447.340 million in 5,338 deals in the previous week.
The fixed-income segment also recorded stronger activity, with 305,669 bond units worth N311.559 million traded across 53 deals.
This compared with 189,675 units valued at N185.844 million exchanged in 64 deals during the preceding session.
