The Nigerian capital market experienced a substantial decline on Wednesday, with equity investors losing approximately N367 billion in a single trading session. This marked the third consecutive day of losses for the Nigerian Exchange Limited, which closed in the red. Market capitalization fell by 0.42% to N87.416 trillion, down from N87.783 trillion at the start of trading. The All‑Share Index also slipped, dropping 580.48 points to finish at 138,157.16, compared with 138,737.64 on Tuesday.
The downtrend was driven by several companies, including DAAR Communications, Learn Africa, and Mansard Insurance. In contrast, a few stocks recorded gains, such as Secure Electronic Technology, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Cadbury, and Wema Bank. Trading volume increased, with 482.8 million shares worth N19.7 billion exchanged across 28,193 transactions on Wednesday, versus 407.6 million shares worth N39.9 billion traded in 31,406 transactions on Tuesday. Access Corporation was the most actively traded stock, with 43.03 million shares valued at N1.1 billion.
The market decline coincides with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of a two‑day settlement cycle, set to begin on 28 November 2025, according to the Central Securities Clearing System. This change is expected to improve trade efficiency and boost investor confidence. As the market continues to evolve, analysts are watching closely to see how the new settlement cycle and other regulatory adjustments will affect the overall performance of the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
Given the market’s volatility, investors are advised to exercise caution and monitor developments closely. The Nigerian Exchange Limited remains a key indicator of the country’s economic health, and its fluctuations carry significant implications for the broader economy.
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