By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed on a positive note on Friday, July 17, 2026, as the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 0.54 per cent, buoyed by strong buying interest in banking and other blue-chip stocks.
Market data showed that investors traded a total of 685.79 million shares valued at ₦42.59 billion in 44,074 deals, reflecting improved market activity compared to the previous trading session.
Compared with trading on Thursday, July 16, transaction volume rose by 38 per cent, turnover increased by 22 per cent, while the number of deals improved by 12 per cent, indicating renewed investor participation.
The market’s total capitalization stood at ₦157.1 trillion (approximately $114 billion) at the close of trading.
A total of 134 listed equities participated in the day’s trading, with 33 stocks recording gains against 18 losers, underscoring the market’s bullish sentiment.
First HoldCo Plc emerged as the day’s best-performing stock after appreciating by 9.97 per cent to close at ₦95.95 per share. It was followed by Haldane McCall, which gained 9.94 per cent, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank with 9.73 per cent, and Coronation Insurance, which rose by 7.44 per cent.
On the losers’ chart, Red Star Express posted the steepest decline, shedding 9.50 per cent to close at ₦20.00 per share. Other notable decliners included Omatek Ventures, which fell 6.08 per cent, C&I Leasing with a 5.93 per cent loss, and Jaiz Bank, which depreciated by 5.03 per cent.
In terms of trading activity, First HoldCo also dominated the volume chart with 226 million shares exchanged. It was followed by Guinea Insurance with 53.4 million shares, Zenith Bank with 41.5 million shares, and Access Holdings with 29.1 million shares.
The benchmark NGX All-Share Index gained 1,316.52 points to close at 243,462.13, representing a 0.14 per cent loss over the past week, a 3.19 per cent gain over the last four weeks, and a robust 56.45 per cent year-to-date return.
Sectoral indices also posted impressive performances, led by the NGX Banking Index, which climbed 3.13 per cent on the day, extending its one-week gain to 9.30 per cent and its year-to-date return to 54.96 per cent.
The NGX Premium Index appreciated by 1.11 per cent, bringing its year-to-date gain to 79.02 per cent, while the NGX Pension Index advanced 1.25 per cent for a 71.65 per cent year-to-date return.
Similarly, the NGX Insurance Index rose by 1.08 per cent, although it remained down 4.50 per cent on a year-to-date basis. The NGX Main Board Index added 0.22 per cent, with a cumulative 48.21 per cent gain since the beginning of the year, despite a 1.54 per cent decline over the past week.
The day’s performance reflects sustained investor confidence, particularly in banking stocks, as market participants continue to position their portfolios amid positive earnings expectations and favourable macroeconomic sentiment.
