The Nigerian equities market extended its positive run on Monday, with investors gaining N228.25bn as buying interest across several sectors lifted the benchmark index.
The NGX All-Share Index rose by 352.24 points, representing a 0.14 per cent increase, to close at 250,156.80 points, compared with 249,804.56 points recorded in the previous session.
Consequently, total market capitalisation increased from N162.16tn to N162.39tn.
The development came as the Central Bank of Nigeria retained the Monetary Policy Rate at 26.50 per cent.
Banking, insurance lead sectoral gains
Trading activity produced 68,506 deals involving 574.12 million shares across the equities market.
Sectoral performance was broadly positive, with the NGX Premium Index rising 0.29 per cent to 31,714.33 points and the NGX 30 Index advancing 0.12 per cent to 9,207.58 points.
The banking sector recorded one of the stronger performances, with the NGX Banking Index gaining 0.68 per cent to close at 2,658.95 points.
The NGX Insurance Index also appreciated by 0.33 per cent to 1,102.93 points, while the NGX Industrial Index rose 0.47 per cent to 10,354.72 points.
The NGX Consumer Goods Index added 0.32 per cent to finish at 4,082.39 points.
However, the NGX Oil/Gas Index declined by 0.40 per cent to 6,008.86 points, while the NGX Lotus Islamic Index shed 0.44 per cent to 23,532.30 points.
SUNU, NASCON top gainers
Market breadth remained positive, with 39 equities recording price gains against 26 decliners.
SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Omatek Ventures Plc and Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc topped the gainers’ list, each rising by 10 per cent.
The stocks closed at N3.08, N176, N1.32 and N2.53 respectively.
Critical Minerals Financing Corp Plc followed with a 9.80 per cent gain to N2.24, while Fortis Global Insurance Plc appreciated by 9.70 per cent to N1.81.
UPDC Plc also advanced by 9.68 per cent to N3.40.
Other notable gainers included Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, which rose 8.96 per cent to N7.30; Transnational Corporation Plc, up 6.78 per cent to N37; Oando Plc, which gained 4.85 per cent to N35.65; and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, which advanced 3 per cent to N133.90.
Okomu Oil leads decliners
The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc recorded the steepest decline, falling by 10 per cent to close at N1,276.20.
Custodian Investment Plc declined by 9.13 per cent to N68.15, while Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc dropped 8.64 per cent to N2.01.
Haldane McCall Plc lost 8.33 per cent to N3.30, while Ellah Lakes Plc declined 5.39 per cent to N7.90.
Other decliners included First Holdco Plc, down 5.44 per cent to N160; International Breweries Plc, which fell 3.50 per cent to N9.65; Aradel Holdings Plc, down 1.29 per cent to N1,530; and United Bank for Africa Plc, which declined 0.79 per cent to N44.20.
Financial stocks dominate volume
The Financial Services sector accounted for a significant portion of trading activity.
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc recorded the highest volume among the actively traded stocks, with 53.58 million shares changing hands.
Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc followed with 44.23 million shares, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc recorded 25.85 million shares.
AIICO Insurance Plc traded 24.38 million shares, while Access Holdings Plc recorded 22.66 million shares.
ETF, fixed-income trading
Activity also extended to exchange-traded funds, where 1,207 deals involving 570,463 units were recorded.
Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 and SIAMLETP Pension ETF 40 led ETF gainers, each appreciating by 10 per cent to close at N1,397.55 and N3,194.40 respectively.
Greenwich Alpha ETF also gained 8.70 per cent to N804.69.
In the fixed-income segment, debt securities recorded eight deals involving 70,098 units, with transactions in Federal Government and corporate bond instruments accounting for the activity.
