By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Nigeria’s equities market sustained its positive momentum on Friday as the benchmark All-Share Index rose by 0.15 per cent to close at 245,574 points.
The latest gain extends the market’s recent upward trajectory, with the index recording a 1.28 per cent increase over the past month, according to market data tracking the Nigerian benchmark.
On a year-on-year basis, the performance has been significantly stronger, with the All-Share Index gaining 68.48 per cent compared with its level at the same period in 2025.
The latest appreciation indicates continued bullish sentiment in the Nigerian equities market, despite periodic profit-taking and mixed performances across individual stocks and sectors.
The market’s strong annual return also underscores the significant rally recorded on the Nigerian bourse in 2026, following the index’s steady climb from earlier levels of the year. For context, the All-Share Index was at 239,734.61 points on May 7, 2026, according to a Stanbic IBTC market report.
Friday’s 0.15 per cent increase, however, represents a more measured pace of appreciation compared with some of the stronger sessions recorded earlier in the year.
The sustained year-on-year growth suggests that equities remain attractive to investors seeking returns in the Nigerian market, although the headline index performance does not necessarily reflect the fortunes of every listed company.
With the All-Share Index now at 245,574 points, investors will be watching trading activity in the coming sessions for signs of whether the market can sustain its current momentum and build on its substantial 2026 gains.
