Earnings boom lifts Stock Market, adds N392bn in bullish trading

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigerian equities market ended the week on a bullish note, posting a N392 billion gain as improved corporate earnings for the 2025 financial year boosted investor sentiment.

Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that market capitalisation rose by 0.30 per cent to N131.165 trillion, up from N130.773 trillion recorded in the previous session.

In the same vein, the All-Share Index advanced by 608.62 points, representing a 0.30 per cent increase, to close at 203,770.43 compared to 203,161.81 earlier recorded. This lifted the market’s Year-to-Date return to 30.95 per cent.

The rally was largely driven by renewed investor interest in fundamentally strong stocks following the release of corporate earnings, with notable gains recorded in Trans-Nationwide Express, International Breweries Plc, CHAMS and Guinness Nigeria Plc, alongside several other advancing equities.

Despite the overall positive close, market breadth remained negative, as 34 stocks declined compared to 24 gainers.

Omatek Ventures led the losers’ chart with a 10 per cent drop to close at N2.07 per share. Austinlaz followed with a 9.93 per cent decline to N3.99, while Coronation Insurance fell by 9.88 per cent to settle at N2.92 per share.

Other decliners included Zichis Agro-Allied Industries, which shed 9.58 per cent to close at N12.55, and Cornerstone Insurance, down by 8.77 per cent to N5.20 per share.

On the gainers’ table, FG202033S6 recorded the highest appreciation, rising by 36.30 per cent to close at N115.86. Trans-Nationwide Express gained 9.91 per cent to N3.77, while International Breweries rose by 9.88 per cent to N13.35 per share.

CHAMS also climbed by 9.84 per cent to close at N3.35, while Guinness Nigeria advanced by 9.38 per cent to N462.90 per share.

Meanwhile, trading activity weakened during the session, with total volume traded declining by 15.97 per cent to 548.60 million shares valued at N31.46 billion across 48,538 deals.

Access Holdings Plc led the activity chart for the third consecutive session, recording 52.7 million shares worth N1.37 billion. Zenith Bank Plc followed with 47.8 million shares valued at N5.34 billion, while United Bank for Africa traded 38.9 million shares worth N1.83 billion.

Also, Secure Electronic Technology recorded 36.7 million shares valued at N35.4 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc posted 34.9 million shares worth N4.63 billion.

In terms of value, Aradel Holdings emerged as the most traded stock, recording transactions worth N6.49 billion, accounting for 20.64 per cent of the total value traded for the day.

Analysts say the sustained earnings-driven rally could continue in the near term, although profit-taking and mixed breadth may temper gains in subsequent sessions. (NAN)