May 21, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s equities market ended Thursday’s trading session on a marginally positive note as gains in select consumer and service stocks helped offset widespread declines across the broader market.
At the close of trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, market capitalisation edged higher from ₦159.660 trillion to ₦159.733 trillion, reflecting a modest gain of ₦73 billion.
Similarly, the NGX All-Share Index advanced slightly from 249,062.37 points to 249,175.39 points.
Despite the marginal uptick in the benchmark indicators, market breadth remained firmly negative as the session recorded 19 gainers against 44 losers, highlighting sustained profit-taking pressure across several counters.
Pricing Movement
Gainers
Leading the gainers’ chart was Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Plc, which appreciated by 10.00 percent, (rising from ₦3.10 to ₦3.41).
ABC Transport Plc followed with a 9.93 percent gain, (closing at ₦9.08 from ₦8.26).
Unilever Nigeria Plc advanced by 9.80 percent (to ₦168.00 from ₦153.00).
Also among the top gainers was Academy Press Plc, which rose 9.74 percent (from ₦7.70 to ₦8.45)
Eunisell Interlinked Plc gained 9.41 percent (to close at ₦209.95 from ₦191.90).
Decliners
On the losers’ side, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc led the laggards with a 10.00 percent decline, (falling from ₦164.00 to ₦147.60).
Learn Africa Plc shed 9.96 percent (to close at ₦11.75 from ₦13.05).
Daar Communications Plc declined by 9.95 percent (to ₦1.90 from ₦2.11).
Similarly, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc lost 9.93 percent, (dropping from ₦14.20 to ₦12.79)
May & Baker Nigeria Plc fell 9.61 percent (to ₦46.55 from ₦51.50).
Several heavyweight stocks closed flat during the trading session, including MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and Guinness Nigeria Plc, among others.
Investor sentiment remained cautious as widespread selloffs across mid-cap counters continued to pressure market breadth despite the marginal rise in the benchmark indices.
Analysts noted that the slight gain in market capitalisation reflects selective bargain hunting in a few resilient counters, while overall market activity suggests investors are still locking in profits after recent rallies.
Market participants are expected to maintain a cautious approach in the near term as they assess macroeconomic developments, interest rate trends, and sector-specific opportunities across the equities market.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
