Nigeria’s stock market hits ₦611bn gain as investor confidence returns - top gainers revealed

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened the week on a strong note, as investors recorded a remarkable ₦611 billion gain on Monday, a sign of renewed optimism sweeping through Africa's largest economy.

• Nigerian investors recorded a ₦611bn gain as the market capitalization hit ₦95.2 trillion.
• BUA Cement and mid-cap stocks led the rally, boosting the All-Share Index by 963.17 points.
• Industrial Index surged 2.34%, reflecting renewed investor appetite for blue-chip equities.
• Analysts attribute the bullish trend to Q4 earnings optimism and confidence in Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The rally was powered by a resurgence in industrial and mid-cap equities, led by BUA Cement and several blue-chip stocks.

According to a market analysis by Punch, the NGX's market capitalisation climbed from ₦94.6 trillion to ₦95.2 trillion, representing a 0.65% daily increase.

The All-Share Index also advanced by 963.17 points to close at 149,940.81, maintaining a year-to-date growth of 45.68%, one of the most robust returns among African exchanges in 2025.

Industrial stocks lead

The industrial sector led Monday's gains, with the Industrial Index rising 2.34%. This was followed by strong performances across the Top 30 Index (+0.68%), Premium Index (+0.66%), and Oil & Gas Index (+0.65%).

Among the top gainers, Union Dicon Salt Plc surged by 10% to close at ₦8.80 per share, while Eunisell Interlinked Plc rose 9.92% to ₦53.20. Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc appreciated 6.44%, and BUA Cement Plc gained 6.25%, closing at ₦170 per share.

The gains in these industrial and consumer-focused stocks mirror a wider pattern across Africa's emerging markets, where investors increasingly seek stable, dividend-yielding assets amid currency volatility and inflation pressures.

Banking stocks dominate trade activity

Trading activity remained robust with 415.04 million shares worth ₦26.96 billion exchanged across 31,486 deals, a 62% increase in turnover compared to the previous session.

Fidelity Bank led by volume with 49.44 million shares valued at ₦982 million, while Geregu Power Plc topped the value chart with ₦9.29 billion in transactions.

Juli Plc declined by 9.94% on the losers' end, followed by Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc (-9.63%) and Daar Communications Plc (-7.14%).

With a one-week gain of 1.51% and a four-week rise of 5.71%, the NGX outperforms many African peers.

Analysts predict the positive sentiment could deepen as listed companies release their Q4 earnings.