NGX rebounds as investors gain N72.44 billion on renewed buying interest
By Aboki Forex —
The Nigerian stock market rebounded on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as investors gained N72.44 billion in value. The recovery was driven by renewed buying interest in select large and mid-cap stocks.
The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) edged up by 0.05% to 249,175.39 points, compared with 249,062.37 points in the previous session. Market capitalisation rose by N72.44 billion, bringing the year-to-date return to 60.13%.
The gain was supported by stocks such as Unilever, Eunisell, UACN, TIP, and Wema Bank. These stocks contributed to the 14 gainers recorded for the day.
Market sentiment remained weak overall. Market breadth closed negative with 45 decliners against 19 gainers. This suggests the index increase was driven by a few heavyweights while profit-taking continued.
Market activity improved significantly. Total trading volume surged by 76.39% to 1.06 billion shares, worth N30.97 billion in 62,448 deals.
Sterling led the market in trading volume with 322.68 million shares, representing 30.48% of total activity. Aradel led in trading value with N5.06 billion, accounting for 16.35% of total value.
Top gainers
INTENEGINS rose from N3.10 to N3.41, gaining N0.31 or 10.00%. ABC Transport advanced from N8.26 to N9.08, adding N0.82 or 9.93%. Unilever increased from N153.00 to N168.00, up N15.00 or 9.80%. Academy Press climbed from N7.70 to N8.45, gaining N0.75 or 9.74%. Eunisell rose from N191.90 to N209.95, adding N18.05 or 9.41%.
Top losers
FGSUK2031S4 fell from N98.99 to N80.00, shedding N18.99 or 19.18%. Berger dropped from N164.00 to N147.60, losing N16.40 or 10.00%. Learn Africa declined from N13.05 to N11.75, down N1.30 or 9.96%. Daar Communications slipped from N2.11 to N1.90, losing N0.21 or 9.95%. RT Briscoe fell from N14.20 to N12.79, down N1.41 or 9.93%.
Most traded stocks
SterlingNG traded 322.68 million shares worth N2.58 billion. JapaulGold exchanged 96.39 million shares valued at N416.15 million. Fidelity Bank recorded 57.04 million shares worth N1.33 billion. AccessCorp traded 52.23 million shares valued at N1.32 billion. Lasaco Assurance exchanged 42.54 million shares worth N86.74 million.
Investors are also positioning ahead of the Dangote Group refinery IPO. President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote confirmed that the listing is expected in September 2026. Dangote disclosed this after leading chairman Femi Otedola and senior executives of First HoldCo on a tour of the refinery complex in Lagos on Wednesday, May 20.