Nigerian stocks extended their strong start to the year, with investors gaining approximately N6.76 trillion on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) over the past trading week. The sustained bullish momentum pushed total market capitalization to N117.027 trillion by Friday, up from N114.660 trillion at the week’s open.
Friday’s trading alone accounted for a N2.4 trillion increase in investor portfolios, highlighting robust buying activity. This followed daily gains throughout the week that totaled N6.764 trillion, with increases of N1.4 trillion, N1.8 trillion, N881 billion, and N283 billion recorded from Monday through Thursday.
Concurrently, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 2.06 percent during the final session, adding 3,687.45 points to close at 182,313.08, up from 178,625.63 on Thursday. This performance contributed to a year-to-date return of 17.16 percent, positioning the market among Africa’s top performers for 2025.
Market breadth concluded positively on Friday, with 53 stocks advancing against 33 decliners. The top gainers—Nestlé Nigeria, Union Dicon Salt, Infinity Trust, McNicholas, and Cornerstone Insurance—all appreciated by the maximum daily limit of 10 percent. Conversely, Skyway Aviation Handling Company led the losers’ list with a 10 percent drop to N135 per share, followed by Guinness Nigeria and Omatek Ventures.
According to Aruna Kebira, a market analyst cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the week-long rally was driven by improved corporate earnings reports, heightened anticipation of dividend payouts, and renewed interest from institutional investors. These factors combined to reinforce positive sentiment across key sectors.
The NGX, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest stock exchange by capitalization, has demonstrated notable resilience amid broader economic adjustments. The consistent inflows suggest growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s listed corporates and the prevailing macroeconomic environment. Market watchers will monitor whether this momentum sustains through the upcoming earnings season and any potential shifts in monetary policy.
