Lagos: Nigeria’s stock market soared by a remarkable N392 billion on Friday, fueled by a surge of robust 2025 corporate earnings. Investors rushed in, eager to grab a piece of the action, driving the All-Share Index to a new high of 203,770.43 and pushing the year-to-date return to an impressive 30.95 per cent.
Furthermore, this rally was sustained by improved corporate earnings for the 2025 financial year, as released by several companies on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. platform, building on the earlier market momentum.
Additionally, gains in stocks such as Trans-Nationwide Express, International Breweries, CHAMS, Guinness and 20 other advancing equities further supported the uptrend.
Consequently, market capitalisation grew by 0.30 per cent, rising to N131.165 trillion from N130.773 trillion—signifying a gain of N392 billion.
Moreover, riding on this positive sentiment, the All-Share Index climbed 608.62 points, or 0.30 per cent, closing at 203,770.43, up from the previous session’s 203,161.81.
As a result of these robust movements, the Year-to-Date return soared to 30.95 per cent, reinforcing the market’s strong performance.
Despite this positive overall performance, however, market breadth closed negative, with 34 losers and 24 gainers.
In particular, Omatek Ventures led the losers’ chart, down 10 per cent to close at N2.07 per share.
Austinlaz followed, dropping by 9.93 per cent to N3.99, while Coronation Insurance shed 9.88 per cent to close at N2.92 per share.
Also, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries declined by 9.58 per cent to N12.55, while Cornerstone Insurance lost 8.77 per cent to close at N5.20 per share.
On the gainers’ chart, FG202033S6 appreciated by 36.30 per cent to close at N115.86.
Trans-Nationwide Express gained 9.91 per cent to N3.77, while International Breweries rose by 9.88 per cent to close at N13.35 per share.
CHAMS also increased by 9.84 per cent to N3.35, while Guinness advanced by 9.38 per cent to close at N462.90 per share.
Meanwhile, despite the overall rally, trading activity declined. Total volume traded dropped by 15.97 per cent, settling at 548.60 million shares valued at N31.46 billion through 48,538 deals.
Access Corporation topped the activity chart again—for the third consecutive session—recording 52.7 million shares worth N1.37 billion.
Zenith Bank followed, trading 47.8 million shares valued at N5.34 billion, while United Bank for Africa recorded 38.9 million shares worth N1.83 billion.
Also, Secure Electronic Technology traded 36.7 million shares valued at N35.4 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company recorded 34.9 million shares worth N4.63 billion.
Aradel Holdings posted the highest trade value at N6.49 billion, accounting for 20.64 per cent of the total value traded on the day.