January 18, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian equities market closed the week on a positive note, supported by improved trading activity and broad-based gains across most indices. A total turnover of 4.607 billion shares worth N130.636 billion was recorded during the week, higher than the 4.164 billion shares valued at N94.026 billion traded in the previous week.
The Financial Services Industry led market activity by volume, with 3.126 billion shares worth N47.225 billion, accounting for 67.84 percent of total volume and 36.15 percent of total value.
The Services Industry followed with 353.436 million shares valued at N5.096 billion, while the ICT Industry ranked third, recording 277.263 million shares worth N18.009 billion. Trading in Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Access Holdings Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc accounted for 1.406 billion shares worth N9.735 billion, representing 30.52 percent of total volume and 7.45 percent of value.
Market performance remained upbeat as the NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation appreciated by 2.36 percent and 2.48 percent to close at 166,129.50 points and N106.354 trillion respectively. All indices finished higher, except the NGX AFR Dividend Yield Index, which declined by 0.15 percent.
Eighty equities recorded price appreciation during the week, compared with eighty-four in the previous week, while seventeen equities depreciated, lower than twenty-two previously. Fifty equities closed unchanged, higher than forty-two recorded last week.
Top Gainers
NCR NIGERIA PLC 60.79 percent (N79.95 to N128.55).
SCOA NIG PLC 59.36 percent (N9.35 to N14.90).
DEAP CAPITAL 48.67 percent (N3.00 to N4.46).
JAIZ BANK 45.73 percent (N5.62 to N8.19).
OMATEK VENTURES 38.28 percent (N1.28 to N1.77).
Top Losers
IKEJA HOTEL -12.38 percent (N40.00 to N35.05).
AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY -9.20 percent (N4.13 to N3.75).
ETERNA PLC -7.71 percent (N35.00 to N32.30).
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE PLC -7.69 percent (N1.30 to N1.20).
EUNISELL INTERLINKED PLC -7.57 percent (N169.80 to N156.95).
Investor sentiment remained decidedly bullish during the week, supported by strong price appreciation across mid- and small-cap stocks as well as sustained activity in financial services equities. The positive market breadth, with advancers significantly outweighing decliners, reflected broad-based buying interest rather than isolated stock-specific rallies. Improved turnover values also pointed to renewed participation by both retail and institutional investors, as market players repositioned ahead of upcoming macroeconomic data releases and corporate earnings expectations.
Looking ahead, market direction is expected to remain largely sentiment-driven in the near term, with investors closely monitoring macroeconomic signals, particularly inflation data, monetary policy cues, and foreign exchange developments. While profit-taking may emerge following recent gains, underlying demand for fundamentally sound stocks could continue to support market stability. Analysts anticipate that liquidity conditions and earnings expectations will play a key role in shaping trading patterns in the coming sessions.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
