December 29, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian equities market closed the trading session on a positive note, as sustained buying pressure in select mid- and large-cap stocks lifted key market indicators.
Market capitalisation rose to ₦98.432 trillion from an opening level of ₦97.890 trillion, reflecting a gain of approximately ₦541.7 billion.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 849.70 points to close at 154,389.53, up from 153,539.83 at the start of the session.
Market breadth closed positive, with 41 gainers against 37 losers, indicating active participation by investors across sectors amid continued portfolio repositioning.
Top Gainers
• AUSTINLAZ topped the gainers’ chart, rising by 10.00 percent (from ₦3.20 to ₦3.52).
• ETI followed closely with a 10.00 percent appreciation, (closing at ₦41.80 from ₦38.00).
• EUNISELL gained 9.95 percent (to settle at ₦96.70, up from ₦87.95).
• HONYFLOUR advanced by 9.86 percent, (closing at ₦19.50 from ₦17.75).
• GUINNESS added 9.82 percent, (finishing the session at ₦349.90 from ₦318.60).
Top Losers
• INTENEGINS led the losers, shedding 10.00 percent (to close at ₦2.34 from ₦2.60).
• MEYER declined by 9.92 percent, (ending the day at ₦11.80 from ₦13.10).
• ETRANZACT dropped 9.92 percent (to ₦11.35, down from ₦12.60).
• LIVESTOCK fell by 9.60 percent, (closing at ₦5.65 from ₦6.25).
• CILEASING depreciated by 8.06 percent (to ₦5.70 from ₦6.20).
Unchanged Stocks
Stocks that closed flat during the session included Dangote Cement, Seplat Energy, Custodian Investment, Julius Berger, and Nestlé Nigeria.
Investor sentiment remained cautiously optimistic, driven by bargain-hunting and renewed interest in fundamentally sound stocks, particularly within the consumer goods and industrial segments.
However, the relatively high number of decliners suggests ongoing profit-taking in some names.
Looking ahead, market performance is expected to remain selective, with investors likely to focus on earnings prospects, liquidity conditions, and positioning ahead of further portfolio adjustments.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
