The Nigerian equities market maintained its positive momentum during the week ended May 2, 2025, with the All-Share Index (ASI) advancing by 289.96 points.
This represents a 0.27% week-on-week growth, as the benchmark index rose from 105,752.61 to 106,042.57 points, fueled by heightened investor activity and notable strength in the consumer goods sector.
Trading volumes showed significant improvement, increasing by 18.65% to 2.1 billion shares, compared to 1.8 billion shares traded in the previous week.
Market capitalization expanded from ₦66.4 trillion to ₦66.6 trillion, reflecting positive market sentiment and upward price movements across key securities.
Despite the overall market gain, breadth indicators showed some contraction. Fifty-two stocks recorded price appreciation during the week, down from 64 in the preceding week. Conversely, 37 equities declined in value, up from 27 the previous week.
The market began the trading week on a positive note, with Monday’s session closing higher. However, this was followed by modest declines on both Tuesday and Wednesday. After Thursday’s market closure for a public holiday, trading resumed strongly on Friday, with the index pushing above the psychologically important 106,000 mark, reinforcing the market’s bullish trajectory.
The NGX Premium Index advanced by 0.38%, bolstered by price gains exceeding 2% in major constituents, including UBA, Zenith Bank, and Lafarge. Similarly, the NGX Main Board Index and NGX 30 Index concluded the week positively, recording gains of 0.47% and 0.58%, respectively.
- The NGX Consumer Goods Index emerged as the top-performing sector, climbing 2.89%, propelled by double-digit gains in Cadbury and Nigerian Breweries.
- The NGX Industrial Goods Index posted a modest increase of 0.41%.
- In contrast, the NGX Oil & Gas Index retreated by 2.90%, primarily due to Aradel’s sharp decline of over 9%.
- The NGX Banking Index edged lower by 0.38%, pressured by significant losses in Ecobank (down more than 18%) and Access Holdings (down 9%).
Associated Bus Company Plc led the gainers’ chart with a substantial 44.87% week-to-date increase, followed by Legend Internet Plc with a 32.40% appreciation. Other notable performers included:
- Fidson Healthcare Plc: up 22.85% to ₦22.85
- University Press Plc: up 20.88% to ₦4.11
- Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc: up 20.17% to ₦82.50
- Cadbury Nigeria Plc: up 19.92% to ₦31.90
- Nigerian Breweries Plc: up 17.95% to ₦46.00
- May & Baker Nigeria Plc: up 16.22% to ₦8.60
- Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc: up 15.79% to ₦1.10
- NPF Microfinance Bank Plc: up 14.29% to ₦2.00
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated recorded the steepest decline of 18.75% week-to-date, followed by Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc with an 18.59% decrease. Other significant decliners included:
- Livestock Feeds Plc: down 10.63% to ₦8.49
- Aradel Holdings Plc: down 9.86% to ₦448.00
- Tripple Gee and Company Plc: down 9.60% to ₦1.79
- Austin Laz & Company Plc: down 9.52% to ₦1.71
- Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc: down 9.21% to ₦35.00
- Access Holdings Plc: down 7.98% to ₦21.90
- John Holt Plc: down 7.94% to ₦5.80
- McNichols Plc: down 7.89% to ₦1.75
The All-Share Index continues its upward trajectory, having recently crossed the 106,000-point threshold—a significant psychological level that signals strengthening market confidence.
Looking ahead, sustained investor interest and robust price performance, particularly among large- and mid-cap securities, are expected to be crucial in maintaining market stability and momentum in the coming weeks.
