The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) concluded the last trading session of the week on a bullish note in terms of activity, with an impressive surge in both volume and value of transactions. Data from the exchange shows that a total of 1,900,901,402 shares were exchanged in 18,653 deals on Friday, May 30, 2025, representing a transaction value of ₦64.15 billion.
This represents a 242% increase in volume and a 274% boost in turnover when compared to the previous trading session on Thursday, May 29, underscoring heightened investor activity and renewed interest in the equities market.
Market Capitalization and Indices Movement
Despite the spike in trading activity, the market closed marginally lower, as the benchmark NGX All-Share Index (ASI) dipped by 76.07 points or 0.07%, settling at 111,742.01. The dip, however, did little to dampen broader investor sentiment, with the index recording a weekly gain of 2.49%, monthly gain of 5.37%, and a year-to-date appreciation of 8.56%.
Other major indices presented a mixed performance:
- NGX Top 30 Index remained flat (0%), but still managed a weekly gain of 2.25% and a year-to-date rise of 8.08%.
- NGX Premium Index rose 0.47%, adding to a modest 1-week gain of 0.11% and a YTD gain of 5.97%.
- NGX Pension Index declined slightly by 0.1%, but remains up 1.74% W-o-W and 15.95% YTD.
- NGX Industrial Index slipped by 0.16%, with marginal weekly growth of 0.35%, though still down -3.56% YTD.
- NGX Main Board Index lost 0.33%, but posted a solid 3.81% gain W-o-W and an 11.35% gain YTD.
- NGX Banking Index dropped by 0.36%, despite maintaining a weekly increase of 0.66% and a 7.29% YTD return.
Market Breadth: More Losers Than Gainers
A total of 128 listed equities participated in trading. Of these, 27 stocks posted gains while 37 recorded losses, reflecting a slightly negative market breadth.
Top Gainers:
- Omatek Ventures Plc led the pack with a 9.86% increase, closing at ₦0.78.
- Red Star Express Plc followed with a 9.62% rise.
- Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc appreciated by 9.38%.
- Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc gained 9.09%.
Top Losers:
- Beta Glass Company Plc emerged as the worst performer, dropping 10% to close at ₦232.65.
- NCR Nigeria Plc followed with a 10% loss.
- Conoil Plc declined by 9.99%.
- Legend Internet dropped 9.94%.
Volume Drivers
The session’s remarkable trading volume was largely driven by heavy trades in the banking and financial services sectors:
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) dominated the volume chart, accounting for 1.41 billion shares traded.
- United Capital Plc followed with 66.8 million shares.
- Access Holdings recorded 54 million shares.
- Fidelity Bank Plc contributed 31.4 million shares to the day’s total.
Outlook
Despite the marginal dip in the benchmark index, the significant boost in market activity and sustained gains across key indices indicate growing investor confidence and possible bullish momentum in the near term. Analysts suggest that the market may continue to benefit from portfolio repositioning, earnings expectations, and macroeconomic policy clarity.
The current market capitalization of the Nigerian Exchange stands at ₦70.5 trillion, signaling strong valuation levels as the market heads into a new month.
