May 10, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian equities market closed the week on a positive note, as improved investor activity lifted key market indicators despite pockets of profit-taking across some large-cap stocks.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited recorded a total turnover of 7.075 billion shares valued at ₦324.351 billion in 474,436 deals, representing a notable increase compared with the 4.842 billion shares worth ₦287.756 billion traded in the previous week.
At the close of trading, the NGX All-Share Index rose by 0.71 percent to settle at 244,775.83 points, while market capitalisation advanced to ₦157.094 trillion, reflecting sustained buying interest across several mid- and small-cap stocks.
Activity during the week was dominated by the Financial Services industry, which led the activity chart with 4.260 billion shares valued at ₦131.483 billion, accounting for 60.22 percent of total equity volume and 40.54 percent of total value traded.
The ICT sector followed with 769.239 million shares worth ₦45.315 billion, while the Investment industry ranked third with 544.809 million shares valued at ₦5.776 billion in 2,243 deals.
Trading in three major equities Access Holdings Plc, VFD Group Plc, and Computer Warehouse Group Plc accounted for 1.589 billion shares worth ₦30.098 billion, representing 22.46 percent of total volume and 9.28 percent of total value traded.
Market Breadth and Indices
Market breadth improved during the week as 69 equities recorded price appreciation, higher than 52 gainers recorded in the previous week.
Meanwhile, 36 equities declined, compared with 53 losers recorded previously, while 41 equities closed unchanged, the same as the previous week.
Across sectoral indices, most finished higher. However, the NGX CG, NGX Premium, NGX Pension, NGX AFR Bank Value, NGX MERI Growth, NGX MERI Value, NGX Oil & Gas, and NGX Commodity indices declined by 0.26 percent, 1.69 percent, 0.60 percent, 2.12 percent, 0.16 percent, 2.80 percent, 3.27 percent, and 2.26 percent respectively, while the NGX Sovereign Bond Index closed flat.
Top Performing Stocks
Top Gainers
1. Chemical and Allied Products Plc gained 60.95 percent (₦145.20 to ₦233.70).
2. Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc rose 53.17 percent (₦21.78 to ₦33.36).
3. FTN Cocoa Processors Plc advanced 50.91 percent (₦5.50 to ₦8.30).
4. R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc increased 40.98 percent (₦10.64 to ₦15.00).
5. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc appreciated 33.43 percent (₦69.70 to ₦93.00).
Top Decliners
1. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc fell 20.95 percent (₦258.00 to ₦203.95).
2. Guinness Nigeria Plc dropped 18.99 percent (₦497.00 to ₦402.60).
3. Access Holdings Plc declined 12.59 percent (₦27.00 to ₦23.60).
4. MTN Nigeria Communications Plc shed 12.45 percent (₦915.00 to ₦801.10).
5. UPDC Plc lost 12.24 percent (₦4.90 to ₦4.30).
Bonds Market
In the bonds segment, a total of 119,721 units valued at ₦122.184 million were traded during the week, lower than the 153,656 units worth ₦156.875 million recorded in the previous week.
Overall, the week’s performance reflects improving liquidity and renewed investor participation, particularly within financial and technology-related counters, even as selective profit-taking weighed on some large-cap stocks.
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.
