First Holdco leads gainers as market cap hits N157 trillion

Nigeria's stock market closed the week on a mixed note, with the overall market capitalisation rising by 0.39% to reach N157.057 trillion even as the NGX All-Share Index shed 0.14% to settle at 243,462.13 points. First HoldCo Plc emerged as the top price gainer with a 38.66% surge, while BUA Cement Plc recorded the steepest loss at 18.99%.

Trading activity slows

Trading activity slowed compared to the prior week. Investors exchanged 2.819 billion shares valued at N182.499 billion across 226,729 deals, a notable drop from the 3.608 billion shares worth N220.568 billion that changed hands in 251,861 deals the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry dominated trading, accounting for 2.006 billion shares valued at N99.697 billion in 96,171 deals. This represented 71.17% of total equity turnover by volume and 54.63% by value. The Consumer Goods Industry ranked second with 178.863 million shares worth N7.872 billion in 26,637 deals, while the Oil and Gas Industry placed third with 151.237 million shares valued at N38.309 billion across 16,879 deals.

Top gainers and losers

Forty-four equities recorded price gains during the week, fewer than the 60 that appreciated the week before. Thirty-five equities declined, up from 28 the prior week, while 67 remained unchanged compared to 58 previously.

First HoldCo Plc led the gainers, rising from N69.20 to N95.95. Other top gainers included Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc (+27.16% to N3.09), Fidelity Bank Plc (+15.00% to N21.85), Learn Africa Plc (+14.44% to N10.30), and United Bank for Africa Plc (+10.98% to N45.50).

On the losing side, BUA Cement Plc dropped from N340.20 to N275.60. Red Star Express Plc fell 18.53% to N20.00, International Energy Insurance Plc lost 15.27% to N4.66, and C&I Leasing Plc declined 13.28% to N5.55.

Most active stocks

First HoldCo Plc, FCMB Group Plc, and Access Holdings Plc were the most actively traded equities by volume, collectively recording 939.402 million shares worth N57.673 billion in 19,051 deals. Their combined trades accounted for 33.33% of total turnover volume and 31.60% of total value.

For the naira and Nigerian businesses, the mixed market performance reflects cautious investor sentiment amid broader economic uncertainty. The rise in market capitalisation alongside a dip in the index suggests that large-cap stocks are driving valuations while mid and small-cap stocks face pressure.