Lagos: The Nigerian equities market closed bullish on Wednesday, resulting in gains of N390 billion for investors. The positive performance was driven by the release of full-year 2025 financial results from listed companies, setting an upbeat tone for the session.
In addition to the earnings impact, FTSE Russell’s official update in its latest Equity Country Classification Interim Review further boosted optimism by confirming Nigeria’s return to Frontier Market status from its previous “Unclassified” (Standalone) position.
The reclassification, which takes effect from September, requires global tracker funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that track the FTSE Frontier Index to reallocate capital into Nigerian equities.
Starting the day at N130.014 trillion, the market capitalisation gained N390 billion—or 0.28 per cent—to close at N130.404 trillion.
Also gaining 0.28 per cent or 562.44 points, the All-Share Index settled at 202,585.54, surpassing Tuesday’s 202,023.10 figure.
Consequently, these gains contributed to the Year-To-Date (YTD) return, which increased to 30.19 per cent.
Despite the overall positive sentiment, market breadth closed negative, with 32 losers and 22 gainers.
Among the day’s hardest hit, UPDCredit topped the losers’ chart, plunging by 10 per cent to N6.75, with Fortis Global Insurance hot on its heels after dropping 9.92 per cent to N1.18.
Deap Capital Management slid 9.85 per cent, closing the session at N5.40 per share.
Also, CHAMS dipped by 9.47 per cent, finishing at N3.06, while JaPaul Gold fell by 8.82 per cent, closing at N3.10 per share.
In contrast, Universal Insurance raced to the top, leading the gainers’ chart by 10 per cent and concluding the session at N1.21.
Omatek Ventures followed by 9.78 per cent, settling at N2.47, while VFD Group gained by 9.71 per cent, finishing at N11.30 per share.
Similarly, Computer Warehouse Group added by 9.64 per cent, closing at N21.05, and Livestock Feeds increased by 9.56 per cent, finishing at N7.45 per share.
Meanwhile, despite the upbeat market performance, overall activity declined at the close of trading, with total volume traded falling by 12.64 per cent to 1.01 billion shares, valued at N40.57 billion across 52,723 transactions.
Access Corporation led the activity chart in volume, recording 232.98 million shares, accounting for 23.14 per cent of total trades.
Zenith Bank emerged as the most traded stock by value, accounting for N6.47 billion, or 15.94 per cent of the day’s turnover.
