The Nigerian stock exchange commenced the week on an optimistic trajectory, recording a substantial increase of N705 billion, fueled by rising share prices in BUA Foods Plc alongside 31 other companies.
The All-Share Index surged by 1,113.31 points, marking a 0.79% uplift to close at 141,659.00 points. Correspondingly, the total market capitalization expanded by N705 billion, settling at N89.627 trillion.
This upward trend was primarily propelled by gains in both large and mid-cap stocks, including notable performers such as BUA Foods, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills (NNFM), Unilever Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria, and Vitafoam Nigeria.
Reflecting on the week’s market dynamics, Imperial Asset Managers Limited commented, “We anticipate the equity market to exhibit a cautiously optimistic stance. Continued investor enthusiasm for leading, undervalued, and speculative stocks, coupled with enhanced market liquidity, may sustain this positive momentum.”
Nevertheless, upcoming macroeconomic indicators-such as the August 2025 inflation figures, the yield trajectory for September 2025 bonds’ Primary Market Auction (PMA), the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in September 2025, and the Q2 2025 GDP report-are expected to provoke varied responses among market participants.
“In light of these factors, we advise investors to proceed prudently, focusing on equities with robust fundamentals, solid financial health, and consistent earnings potential,” the firm added.
Investor confidence, as reflected by market breadth, closed positively with 32 stocks advancing against 30 that declined. Leading the gainers was Living Trust Mortgage Bank, which soared by 9.96% to close at N5.08 per share. eTranzact International followed closely with a 9.70% increase, ending at N16.40, while Regency Alliance Insurance climbed 9.64% to finish at N1.82 per share.
NNFM shares rose by 8.62% to close at N93.90, and Unilever Nigeria shares appreciated by 8.41%, closing at N72.80 per share.
Conversely, McNichols topped the decliners, dropping 9.90% to close at N3.55 per share. Honeywell Flour Mills fell by 9.13% to N20.90, and UACN declined 8.01% to close at N67.15 per share.
Other notable losers included Omatek Ventures, which slipped 7.58% to N1.22, and Champion Breweries, which decreased by 6.00% to close at N15.98 per share.
Trading volume increased significantly by 27.69%, reaching 555.123 million units valued at N24.082 billion, across 31,578 transactions. UACN led the volume chart with 67.170 million shares traded, worth N4.495 billion. Regency Alliance Insurance followed with 57.234 million shares valued at N98.102 million, while Access Holdings exchanged 37.696 million shares valued at N1.019 billion.
Lasaco Assurance recorded trades of 32.782 million shares valued at N98.446 million, and Chams Holding Company transacted 32.596 million shares worth N115.614 million.
