The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened the week on a strong note as investors gained N611bn, driven by renewed interest in industrial and mid-cap stocks, particularly BUA Cement.
At the close of Monday's trading, market capitalisation rose to N95.2tn from N94.6tn, representing a 0.65% increase. The All-Share Index also advanced by 963.17 points to close at 149,940.81, sustaining a one-week gain of 1.51%, a four-week rise of 5.71%, and a year-to-date growth of 45.68%.
Trading data showed that 415.04 million shares valued at N26.96bn were exchanged in 31,486 deals, reflecting a 14% decline in volume but a 62% improvement in value compared to the previous session.
A total of 130 equities traded, ending with 30 gainers and 33 losers. Union Dicon Salt Plc led the gainers with a 10% rise to N8.80 per share, followed by Eunisell Interlinked Plc (+9.92% to N53.20), Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc (+6.44% to N3.80), and BUA Cement Plc (+6.25% to N170).
On the losing side, Juli Plc topped the chart with a 9.94% drop to N8.06 per share, followed by Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc (-9.63% to N2.72), Daar Communications Plc (-7.14%), and Universal Insurance Plc (-5%).
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In terms of activity, Fidelity Bank Plc was the most traded stock by volume with 49.44 million shares worth N982.26m. Access Holdings followed with 41.21 million shares valued at N1.05bn, while Chams Holdings and Nigerian Breweries traded 20.20 million and 17.89 million shares, respectively.
On the value chart, Geregu Power Plc led with transactions worth N9.29bn, followed by Aradel Holdings Plc (N3.28bn), Dangote Cement Plc (N1.97bn), MTN Nigeria (N1.47bn), and Nigerian Breweries (N1.39bn).
Sectoral performance showed broad gains across key indices. The Industrial Index advanced by 2.34%, followed by the Top 30 Index (+0.68%), Premium Index (+0.66%), Main Board Index (+0.66%), Oil & Gas Index (+0.65%), and Pension Index (+0.55%).
Market analysts attributed the positive sentiment to sustained confidence in industrial and blue-chip stocks, as investors position for stronger earnings and dividend prospects in the fourth quarter.
