The Nigerian stock market began the week on a positive note, with investors gaining N443 billion amid renewed buying interest driven by increased demand for stocks including NGX Group, Trans-Nationwide Express, MC Nichols, VFD Group, CHAMS, and 27 others. Market capitalisation rose from an opening value of N131.165 trillion to close at N131.608 trillion, representing a gain of 0.34 per cent, while the All-Share Index advanced by 688.43 points to settle at 204,458.86, reflecting a similar 0.34 per cent increase.
The rally pushed the Year-to-Date return to 31.39 per cent, underscoring the sustained bullish momentum that has characterised Nigerian equities in 2026. Market breadth closed positive with 32 gainers outpacing 24 losers, signalling broad-based participation across sectors rather than concentration in a few heavily weighted stocks. Trading activity, however, declined at the close of the session, with total volume falling by 14.33 per cent to 470.01 million shares valued at N32.45 billion across 60,793 deals.
NGX Group led the gainers’ chart, advancing by 10 per cent to close at N153.45, followed by Trans-Nationwide Express which rose by 9.81 per cent to end the session at N4.14. MC Nichols soared by 9.74 per cent to settle at N7.10 per share, while VFD Group gained 9.71 per cent to finish at N11.30. CHAMS increased by 8.96 per cent to close at N3.65 per share, rounding out a strong session for mid-cap and small-cap stocks that have attracted investor attention amid the search for value.
On the other hand, Berger Paints topped the losers’ chart, declining by 9.95 per cent to end the session at N68.35. Academy followed with a loss of 9.71 per cent to finish at N7.90, while Caverton Offshore Support Group dipped by 5.98 per cent to close at N5.50 per share. Honeywell Flour shed 4.92 per cent to settle at N20.30, and CAP dipped by 3.81 per cent to close at N96 per share, reflecting profit-taking in some consumer and industrial goods names after recent rallies.
Access Corporation led the volume chart with 54.91 million shares traded, representing 11.68 per cent of the day’s total volume, while Aradel topped the value chart with transactions worth N7.05 billion, accounting for 21.74 per cent of the total value traded. The participation of heavyweight stocks like Aradel in the value leadership position suggests sustained institutional interest in the oil and gas sector, which has benefited from elevated global crude prices amid Middle East tensions.
The positive sentiment aligns with broader economic trends. Inflation has eased to 15.06 per cent, the naira has stabilised following exchange rate reforms, and corporate earnings across banking, consumer goods, and industrial sectors have exceeded expectations in many cases. The Year-to-Date return of 31.39 per cent positions the NGX as one of the best-performing equity markets globally in 2026, attracting interest from both domestic and foreign portfolio investors seeking returns in an environment of moderating fixed income yields.
