The Nigerian All-Share Index ended Monday’s trading on 23 March 2026 in negative territory, down 2,142.8 points to close at 199,014.0, representing a 1.07% decline from Wednesday’s pre-holiday session.
Market volume slowed significantly to 848 million shares traded across 139,458 deals, a sharp drop from six billion shares in the previous session, as investors approached the market cautiously.
Market capitalization settled at N127.7 trillion, down from N129.1 trillion, shedding over N1.4 trillion as broad-based market weakness prompted position trimming among investors.
On the gainers’ table, Presco Plc and Zichis Agro-Allied Industries rose 10.00% and 9.91%, respectively, with Zichis rebounding after the lifting of its trading suspension by the Nigerian Exchange.
However, profit-taking pressured stocks such as Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc and Deap Capital Plc, which fell 9.64% and 8.37%, respectively.
In terms of trading volume, UBA Plc led with 114.1 million shares, followed by Wema Bank Plc at 111.9 million and Access Holdings Plc with 54.7 million shares traded. Other notable volumes included Zenith Bank Plc with 38.1 million and Zichis at 32.2 million shares.
By market value, MTN Nigeria led with N17.4 billion, followed by UBA at N5.5 billion, Zenith Bank at N4.08 billion, GTCO at N3.5 billion, and Dangote Cement Plc at N3.2 billion.
The 1.07% decline marks the third consecutive daily loss for the market, which began on 17 March 2026, and has pushed the index below the 200,000 threshold it crossed last week. Losses in large-cap stocks continue to drive the bearish sentiment, with market analysts monitoring whether this trend will persist.
