Nigerian Capital Market Experiences Significant Losses
The Nigerian capital market witnessed a substantial decline on Wednesday, with investors in equities losing approximately N367 billion in a single trading session. This marks the third consecutive day of losses for the Nigerian Exchange Limited, which closed in the red.
Market capitalization decreased by 0.42% to N87.416 trillion, down from N87.783 trillion at the start of trading. The All-Share Index also declined, dropping 580.48 points to close at 138,157.16, compared to 138,737.64 on Tuesday. The downtrend was led by several companies, including DAAR Communications, Learn Africa, and Mansard Insurance.
On the other hand, some stocks recorded gains, including Secure Electronic Technology, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Cadbury, and Wema Bank. An analysis of market activity revealed an increase in trading volume, with 482.8 million shares worth N19.7 billion exchanged across 28,193 transactions on Wednesday. This compares to 407.6 million shares worth N39.9 billion traded across 31,406 transactions on Tuesday.
Access Corporation was the most actively traded stock, with 43.03 million shares valued at N1.1 billion. The decline in the market comes as Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a two-day settlement cycle, set to begin on November 28th, 2025, according to the Central Securities Clearing System.
The Nigerian capital market has been experiencing fluctuations in recent times, and this latest decline may have significant implications for investors. The introduction of a two-day settlement cycle is expected to improve the efficiency of trades and increase investor confidence. As the market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the overall performance of the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
The developments in the Nigerian capital market are being closely watched by investors and analysts, who are eager to see how the market will respond to the new settlement cycle and other regulatory changes. With the market’s volatility, investors are advised to exercise caution and monitor the situation closely. The Nigerian Exchange Limited will likely continue to be a key indicator of the country’s economic performance, and its fluctuations will have significant implications for the broader economy.
