By Taiye Olayemi
The Nigerian stock market opened the week upbeat, gaining N1.869 trillion as market capitalisation soared to N101.806 trillion, boosting investor portfolios.
The positive trend was driven by sustained investor interest in heavyweight stocks such as Cadbury, Abbey Mortgage Bank, Fidson, Champion Breweries, FTN Cocoa Processors and 68 others.
The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) market capitalisation rose from N99.937 trillion at opening to N101.806 trillion at Friday’s close.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 1.74 per cent or 2,725.86 points, closing at 159,218.22 compared to 156,492.36 recorded on Friday.
Meanwhile, the market breadth also closed positive, recording 73 gainers against eight losers.
Cadbury, Abbey Mortgage Bank, Fidson, Champion Breweries and FTN Cocoa Processors led the gainers’ chart by 10 per cent each, settling at N64.90, N6.60, N60.50, N15.40 and N6.05 per share respectively.
Conversely, Juli led the losers’ chart by 9.93 per cent, ending the session at N7.26, Ikeja Hotel trailed by 9.91 per cent, finishing at N40.45 while Sunu Assurances dropped by 4.55 per cent, closing at N5.25 per share.
Also, Sovereign Trust Insurance dipped by 2.36 per cent, settling at N3.72 and Berger Paints shed by 2.08 per cent, closing at N47 per share.
An assessment of the market revealed that the volume traded rose by 58.13 per cent to 695.64 million shares, while the value of transactions declined by 25.57 per cent to N18.57 billion across 56,632 deals.
Tantalizer recorded the highest volume with 71.75 million shares traded, accounting for 10.31 per cent of total volume traded for the day.
Zenith Bank recorded the highest value at N3.51 billion, accounting for 18.89 per cent of total value traded for the day.
Commenting on the milestone, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Exchange Group, said the achievement reflected growing confidence in the Nigerian capital market.
He said: “The equities market capitalisation crossing the N100 trillion mark is a defining milestone for Nigeria’s capital market and a clear signal of renewed investor confidence as the year begins.
“It reflects the market’s growing depth, resilience, and ability to respond positively to improving macroeconomic conditions and structural reforms.”
Popoola noted that sustained collaboration between market stakeholders and regulators had played a key role in strengthening market credibility.
“Over the past two years, closer alignment between market operators, policymakers, and SEC has enhanced transparency, liquidity, and investor protection, reinforcing the Exchange’s role in mobilising long-term capital for economic growth,” he said.
Also, Mr Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Ltd., noted that the rally was supported by improving participation and selective demand across key sectors.
“The breadth of the market tells a positive story.
“We are seeing strong participation across banking, industrial, and consumer stocks, alongside rising trading volumes.
“This suggests growing investor confidence and a more active market at the start of the year,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
