December 18, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian equities market extended its bullish run on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with strong buying interest in heavyweight stocks driving key indices higher.
Market capitalisation opened at N95.525 trillion and closed higher at N95.856 trillion, while the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced from 149,842.82 points to 150,363.05 points, crossing the 150,000-point psychological level. Market breadth remained positive, with thirty-five gainers against twenty-six losers.
Top Gainers
NESTLE appreciated by 10.00 percent, (rising from N1,780.00 to N1,958.00).
GUINNESS advanced by 9.98 percent, (closing at N289.70 from N263.40).
ALEX gained 9.76 percent, moving (from N10.25 to N11.25).
DAARCOMM added 9.20 percent, (increasing from N0.87 to N0.95).
MECURE climbed by 9.13 percent, (closing at N55.00 from N50.40).
Top Losers
STANBIC declined by 9.33 percent, (falling from N105.00 to N95.20).
LASACO shed 9.09 percent, (dropping from N2.75 to N2.50).
AFRIPRUD slipped by 8.82 percent, (moving from N13.60 to N12.40).
AUSTINLAZ lost 8.33 percent, (declining from N2.40 to N2.20).
STERLINGNG eased by 6.12 percent, (closing at N6.90 from N7.35).
Unchanged stocks for the session included Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, Julius Berger, Seplat Energy, and Okomu Oil Palm.
Investor sentiment remained firmly bullish, supported by renewed interest in consumer goods and insurance stocks, as well as continued rotation into fundamentally strong counters.
The strong performance of large-cap stocks, particularly Nestlé and Guinness, reinforced confidence and underpinned the market’s upward momentum.
In the near term, the market is expected to sustain its positive tone, although bouts of profit-taking may occur following recent gains.
Investors are likely to remain selective, focusing on fundamentally sound stocks and those with attractive valuation and earnings prospects as the year-end approaches.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
