The Nigerian Exchange Limited closed the week on a bearish note, with its market capitalisation and All-Share Index declining. The market was open for four trading days following the Federal Government's declaration of Thursday, October 1, 2026, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria's Independence Day. At the close of trading on Friday, October 2, the NGX All-Share Index stood at 250,808.27 points. This represented a weekly decline.
The market capitalisation fell by 0.50% to close at N162.843 trillion. Trading activity also weakened considerably during the week, with investors exchanging a total of 3.166 billion shares worth N155.023 billion in 206,662 deals. This represented a decline from the 4.689 billion shares valued at N240.824 billion traded in 261,198 deals in the preceding week.
The Financial Services Industry remained the most active segment of the market by volume, accounting for 1.944 billion shares valued at N77.733 billion in 92,035 deals. The sector contributed 61.41% and 50.14% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Investment Industry followed with 409.484 million shares valued at N5.400 billion in 1,444 deals.
The three most traded equities—Fidelity Bank Plc, VFD Group Plc and Access Holdings Plc—accounted for 1.343 billion shares valued at N27.580 billion in 15,771 deals. The three stocks jointly represented 42.42% of total equity turnover volume and 17.79% of total equity turnover value during the week. Daily trading figures showed that 1.024 billion shares valued at N39.560 billion changed hands in 61,661 deals on Monday, September 28.
Across the market, 44 equities appreciated in price during the week, compared with 61 gainers recorded in the previous week. The number of decliners increased to 37 from 32, while 65 equities remained unchanged. ABC Transport Plc emerged as the week's biggest price gainer, rising from N5.10 to N7.40, representing a gain of 45.10%. Critical Minerals Financing Corp Plc followed with a 37.73% increase.
On the decliners' chart, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc recorded the largest percentage decline, falling 12.50% from N2.40 to N2.10. E-Tranzact International Plc dropped by 12.00% from N12.50 to N11.00, while Learn Africa Plc declined by 11.05% from N8.60 to N7.65. PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc fell by 10.03% from N73.80 to N66.40.
The weakness in the broader market was reflected across most of the NGX indices. The NGX Main Board Index appreciated by 0.08%, while the NGX Insurance, NGX Oil & Gas and NGX Growth indices rose by 0.61%, 0.05% and 1.85% respectively. The NGX 30 Index declined by 0.52% to 9,230.30 points, from 9,278.17 points.
Key points
- The Nigerian Exchange Limited's market capitalisation fell by N819bn.
- The All-Share Index dropped by 0.52%.
- Trading activity weakened considerably during the week.
