October 02, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian stock market sustained its positive trajectory on Thursday, October 2, 2025, closing the session on a firmer note as investors rotated into select mid- and large-cap counters. The All-Share Index (ASI) advanced from 142,710.48 points to 142,979.46 points, while market capitalisation also appreciated from N90.58 trillion to N90.75 trillion, adding about N171 billion in value.
Market activity reflected a healthy breadth, with 34 gainers against 26 losers, underscoring strong buying interest in consumer goods, oil & gas, and select financial names, while profit-taking dragged some insurance and industrial stocks lower. The overall momentum points to a resilient equities market that continues to attract portfolio repositioning.
Top Performing Stocks:
Leading the pack of gainers was PZ Cussons, which appreciated by 10.00% (N34.50 → N37.95), reflecting strong investor appetite for consumer staples.
Eterna followed closely with a 9.94% rise (N33.70 → N37.05), buoyed by renewed demand in the downstream oil & gas space.
Champion Breweries gained 9.82% (N13.75 → N15.10), as interest in brewery stocks strengthened.
Other notable advances came from Tantalizer, up 5.96% (N2.35 → N2.49), and AIICO Insurance, which rose 5.43% (N3.50 → N3.69).
Declining Stocks:
On the losers’ chart was RT Briscoe, which led with a -9.89% drop (N3.74 → N3.37), followed by Thomas Wyatt, down -9.82% (N3.97 → N3.58).
The insurance sector was hit hardest, with Sovereign Insurance sliding -9.33% (N3.00 → N2.72).
International Energy Insurance shedding -7.78% (N3.34 → N3.08).
In the industrial space, Berger Paints dipped -7.18% (N39.00 → N36.20), reflecting profit-taking pressures.
Unchanged Stocks
Meanwhile, several counters closed flat, including John Holt Plc, FTN Cocoa Processors, Julius Berger, International Breweries, and BUA Foods, suggesting mixed investor positioning within these sectors.
Market Health, Drivers, and Sentiment:
Overall, the market remained healthy and resilient, with positive breadth and moderate sectoral rotation. Gains in consumer goods and energy stocks provided the lift that balanced out weakness in insurance and industrial names.
Driving factors included bargain-hunting by retail and institutional investors, stronger liquidity flows into mid-cap stocks, and a cautious yet improving macroeconomic outlook that is boosting confidence in equities as an attractive asset class.
Investor sentiment continues to lean cautiously optimistic, with traders selectively positioning in stocks with strong fundamentals and earnings potential. The positive close despite selling pressure in some segments indicates a market that is sustaining momentum, aided by active sector rotation and renewed appetite for growth-driven plays.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
