January 03, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian equities market closed the week on a positive note, trading for four sessions after the Federal Government declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, a public holiday to mark the New Year celebration.
Despite the shortened trading week, market activity strengthened significantly, supported by renewed investor interest across key sectors.
A total turnover of 7.821 billion shares valued at ₦134.471 billion was recorded during the week, a sharp increase from 2.876 billion shares worth ₦63.832 billion traded in the preceding week.
The surge in activity reflected stronger participation and improved market sentiment.
The Financial Services Industry dominated trading activity by volume, accounting for 5.992 billion shares valued at ₦67.024 billion, representing 76.61 percent of total equity turnover volume and 49.84 percent of value.
The ICT Industry followed, with 946.959 million shares worth ₦8.028 billion traded in 15,443 deals, while the Consumer Goods Industry ranked third with 258.820 million shares valued at ₦9.381 billion.
Trading in the top three equities by volume Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Cham Holding Company Plc, and Access Holdings Plc accounted for 5.317 billion shares worth ₦37.361 billion, contributing 67.97 percent of total market volume and 27.78 percent of total value.
At the close of the week, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 1.92 percent to settle at 156,492.36 points, while market capitalisation rose by 2.09 percent to ₦99.938 trillion, underscoring broad-based price appreciation.
All other major indices also closed higher during the week.
Market breadth improved notably, with 73 equities recording price appreciation, compared with 44 equities in the previous week.
Meanwhile, 23 equities depreciated, down from 30 in the prior week, while 51 equities closed unchanged, lower than the 73 equities that finished flat previously.
Top Gainers
• Austin Laz & Company Plc led the gainers’ chart, surging by 45.94 percent (from ₦3.20 to ₦4.67).
• Aluminium Extrusion Industries Plc followed closely with a 45.57 percent gain, (advancing from ₦16.35 to ₦23.80).
• Eunisell Interlinked Plc appreciated by 43.26 percent, (rising from ₦87.95 to ₦126.00).
• Associated Bus Company Plc gained 37.92 percent, (closing at ₦4.51 from ₦3.27).
• Honeywell Flour Mill Plc added 29.58 percent, (settling at ₦23.00 from ₦17.75).
Top Losers
• E-Tranzact International Plc declined by 9.92 percent, (closing at ₦11.35 from ₦12.60).
• First HoldCo Plc shed 7.92 percent, (ending the week at ₦48.80 from ₦53.00).
• LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc also lost 7.92 percent, (closing at ₦3.40 from ₦3.68).
• CAP Plc fell by 6.76 percent, (dropping from ₦74.00 to ₦69.00).
• Champion Breweries Plc declined by 6.67 percent, (settling at ₦14.00 from ₦15.00).
Other Market Activities
In the bond segment, a total of 46,845 units valued at ₦48.790 million were traded during the week, compared with 32,952 units worth ₦34.276 million exchanged in the preceding week across 21 deals, reflecting increased activity in the fixed-income space.
Investor sentiment remained broadly positive, supported by strong performances in financial, industrial, and consumer stocks.
Looking ahead, the market is expected to maintain a cautiously optimistic tone, with selective buying likely to persist as investors position for the new trading year, while profit-taking may emerge in stocks that recorded sharp weekly gains.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
