Financial stocks power N1.27tn rally on NGX

cover, Financial Markets

The Nigerian Exchange Limited closed last week on a positive note as investors gained N1.27tn, pushing the market capitalisation to N94.56tn. The All-Share Index rose by 1.35 per cent to 148,977.64 points, driven largely by gains in financial stocks, Temitope Aina writes

The Nigerian Exchange Limited recorded a significant rebound in trading activities last week, as investors gained about N1.27tn in market value, driven largely by strong demand for financial stocks and renewed investor confidence across key sectors.

At the close of trading on Friday, the All-Share Index and market capitalisation appreciated by 1.35 per cent and 1.36 per cent to settle at 148,977.64 points and N94.561tn, respectively, compared to the previous week’s 146,998.63 points and N93.291tn.

Market data from the Exchange showed that a total turnover of 2.422bn shares worth N76.618bn was traded in 126,591 deals during the week, as against 2.286bn shares valued at N90.280bn exchanged in 138,177 deals the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) dominated the activity chart, accounting for 1.662bn shares valued at N32.565bn traded in 56,253 deals. This represented 68.65 per cent and 42.50 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

Following closely was the ICT industry, which recorded 184.884m shares worth N8.662bn in 11,500 deals, while the services industry occupied the third position with 154.537m shares valued at N1.066bn exchanged in 5,975 deals.

Trading in the top three equities, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Access Holdings Plc, accounted for 618.549m shares valued at N9.220bn in 9,277 deals, contributing 25.54 per cent and 12.03 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

Also, a total of 202,526 units of Exchange Traded Products valued at N24.917m were traded this week in 556 deals, in contrast to 147,745 units valued at N24.075m transacted last week in 372 deals.

Similarly, investors traded a total of 448,601 units of bonds valued at N381.846m in 46 deals, compared to 984,209 units worth N883.357m traded in 28 deals in the preceding week.

A review of the sectoral performance indicated that all other indices finished higher with the exception of the Consumer Goods, Banking, AFR Bank Value, AFR Div Yield, MERI Growth, NGX MERI Value, and Growth Indices, which declined 0.19 per cent, 0.13 per cent, 0.51 per cent, 0.93 per cent, 0.97 per cent, 0.68 per cent, and 2.08 per cent, respectively.

Market breadth closed positive, with 52 equities appreciating in price during the week, higher than the 51 equities recorded in the previous week. 41 equities depreciated, the same number as in the previous week, while 53 equities remained unchanged, lower than the 55 equities recorded earlier.

According to data released by the Exchange, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc emerged as the week’s top gainer, rising 11.21 per cent from N3.21 per share to close at N3.57 per share. The company was followed by Royal Exchange Plc, which appreciated 11.11 per cent, moving from N2.16 to N2.40 per share.

Eunisell Interlinked Plc also saw significant investor interest, gaining 10 per cent to close the week at N48.40 per share from N44.00, while SFS Real Estate Investment Trust rose 9.88 per cent to close at N418.75 from N381.10.

Omatek Ventures Plc appreciated 9.49 per cent, rising from N1.37 to N1.50 per share, while Transcorp Power Plc climbed 8.92 per cent, closing at N342.00 per share compared to N314.00 at the start of the week

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc gained 8.26 per cent to close at N118.00 from N109.00, while Universal Insurance Plc advanced by 8.11 per cent, moving from N1.11 to N1.20 per share.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc appreciated 7.41 per cent to close the week at N87.00 per share, up from N81.00, while Prestige Assurance Plc rounded off the list of top ten gainers with a 6.51 per cent increase, closing at N1.80 per share compared to N1.69 at the beginning of the week.

On the flip side, Tripple Gee and Company Plc led the decliners’ chart, shedding 18.84 per cent to close at N4.91 per share from N6.05. Academy Press Plc followed closely, losing 17.92 per cent to close at N7.88 per share, down from N9.60, after marking an ex-dividend of 15 kobo per share and a one-for-five bonus.

Regency Assurance Plc also recorded a loss of 13.94 per cent, closing at N1.42 per share from N1.65, while LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc declined 13.46 per cent to N4.50 from N5.20 per share.

Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc dropped 9.87 per cent to close at N32.40 per share from N35.95, and Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc depreciated 9.01 per cent to N5.25 per share from N5.77.

UAC of Nigeria Plc also posted a decline of 8.53 per cent, falling from N72.70 to N66.50 per share, while Austin Laz & Company Plc shed 7.94 per cent to close at N2.90 from N3.15.

Ellah Lakes Plc lost 7.20 per cent to close at N13.40 per share from N14.44, while Chams Holding Company Plc completed the list of top decliners with a 6.98 per cent drop, closing at N4.00 per share from N4.30.

Meanwhile, the Exchange also announced regulatory updates, including the delisting of Smart Products Nigeria Plc and the migration of Juli Plc to the Growth Board. According to a market bulletin referenced NGXREG/IRD/MB76/25/10/08, the delisting of Smart Products followed its failure to meet the required criteria for migration after the closure of the ASEM Board, while Juli Plc successfully transitioned to the Growth Board effective Monday, October 13, 2025.

Last week’s market performance, analysts noted, reflected growing investor appetite for financial sector equities amid expectations of improved third-quarter earnings results and moderate inflationary pressures. They added that the N1.27tn rise in market capitalisation signals renewed optimism as investors position for dividend yields and possible policy stability ahead of the year-end trading season.