The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) closed the trading week ended April 24, 2026, on a strong bullish note, extending its upward trajectory amid positive investor sentiment across major sectors.
The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advanced significantly during the week, rising by 3.94% to close at 225,722.49 points, up from 217,167.57 points recorded in the previous week. Similarly, market capitalization increased, gaining to N145.33 trillion, reflecting a substantial increase in investor wealth and market value.
This performance highlights continued confidence in the Nigerian equities market, with the ASI crossing the 220,000 point threshold for the first time, a key psychological level that reinforces the strength of the ongoing rally.
Market activity also improved during the week, as total volume traded rose to approximately 3.8 billion shares , compared to about 3.5 billion shares in the prior week. This increase in activity signals stronger participation from both institutional and retail investors, further supporting the market’s upward momentum.
From a breadth perspective, the market recorded a mixed but relatively balanced performance. A total of 46 equities advanced, 53 declined, while 47 remained unchanged, suggesting that although the overall market trended upward, gains were concentrated in key sectors and large-cap stocks.
The NGX Premium Index rose by 5.91%, driven by strong price appreciation in blue-chip stocks such as Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank, and UBA.
The NGX 30 Index gained 3.83%, while the Main Board Index advanced by 2.79%, reinforcing the strength of large and fundamentally sound companies during the week.
Sectoral Performance
Sectoral performance was broadly positive, with all major sectors closing in the green, reflecting strong buying interest across the market
The NGX Industrial Goods Index led the rally with a 7.70% gain, supported by notable price increases in cement companies such as Lafarge Africa, Dangote Cement and BUA Cement which added 21.36%, 8.14% and 2.54% respectively
The NGX Banking Index followed closely, rising by 6.81%, driven by strong demand for banking stocks including First HoldCo, Ecobank, Wema Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank. This underscores the continued attractiveness of financial services stocks to investors, particularly amid improving earnings expectations and capital raising activities in the sector.
NGX Consumer Goods Index appreciated by 5.25%, buoyed by gains in BUA Foods and Nigerian Breweries, alongside other key players in the sector.
Meanwhile, the NGX Oil and Gas Index recorded a modest gain of 0.86%, reflecting relatively subdued activity compared to other sectors, while the NGX Insurance Index edged higher by 0.40%, indicating mild investor interest in insurance stocks.
Market Highlight
ASI Weekly Close: 225,722.49 points
Month-on-month Change: 12.14%
Year-to-Date Return: 45.05%
Market Capitalization: N145.335 trillion
Top Gainers
- UACN Plc: up 42.00%
- Union Dicon Salt Plc: up 32.73%
- Nascon Allied Industries Plc: up 32.63%
- Trans-Nationwide Express Plc: up 30.58%
- Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc: up 25.71%
- Chemical & Allied Industries Plc: up 24.74%
Top Losers
- Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc: down 50.79%
- Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc: down 33.33%
- Guinea Insurance Plc: down 15.20%
- Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc: down 13.82%
- LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc: down 10.98%
- Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc: down 10.14%
Overall, the Nigerian equities market delivered a strong performance during the week, driven by robust buying pressure, improving liquidity, and sustained investor confidence. The broad-based sectoral gains suggest that the rally is not limited to a single segment but is supported by multiple sectors of the economy
