The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed higher on Friday as investors traded shares worth over ₦32 billion, reversing part of the losses recorded in previous sessions.
The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.15 percent to close at 242,593.31 points, while equity market capitalisation increased to ₦155.59 trillion.
Trading activity remained strong as investors exchanged 608.49 million shares valued at ₦32.03 billion in 53,826 deals, indicating sustained participation despite recent market volatility.
The positive performance was driven by gains in selected financial and industrial stocks, helping the market recover from the profit-taking pressure witnessed earlier in the week.
International Energy Insurance Plc led the gainers’ chart after advancing by 10.00 percent from ₦6.60 to ₦7.26 per share.
Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc also gained 10.00 percent to close at ₦9.35, while DAAR Communications Plc appreciated by 10.00 percent to ₦1.98. Zochonis Nigeria Plc rose by 9.39 percent to ₦32.38, while Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc added 8.70 percent to close at ₦2.50.
On the losers’ table, FGSUK2031S4 declined by 10.30 percent from ₦96.99 to ₦87.00. Academy Press Plc lost 9.84 percent to close at ₦8.25, while UPL Plc shed 9.73 percent to ₦5.10. VFD Group Plc fell by 7.59 percent to ₦10.35, and TAJ Sukuk Series 2 declined by 6.86 percent to ₦93.13.
Abbey Mortgage Bank emerged as the most actively traded stock of the session with 164.08 million shares valued at ₦1.53 billion exchanged by investors.
Ellah Lakes Plc followed with 76.71 million shares worth ₦767.16 million, while Access Holdings Plc recorded 44.79 million shares valued at ₦1.06 billion.
Other actively traded stocks included Linkage Assurance Plc and The Initiates Plc (TIP), reflecting continued investor interest across selected financial and insurance counters.
Market turnover increased compared with the previous session as transaction value climbed above ₦32 billion, suggesting that liquidity remained strong within the equities market.
Despite the relatively modest gain recorded by the benchmark index, the higher value of transactions indicates continued participation from both institutional and retail investors.
In the exchange-traded fund segment, STANBICETF30 posted the strongest gain, rising by ₦309.00 to close at ₦3,565.00.
VSPBONDETF appreciated by ₦14.49 to ₦316.49, while MERGROWTH gained ₦12.63 to settle at ₦138.93. GREENWETF and VETGOODS also recorded positive performances.
Analysts noted that the market’s recovery reflects selective buying interest following recent profit-taking.
The combination of rising turnover and a positive market close suggests investors continue to identify opportunities in specific sectors despite broader concerns about valuation and market direction.
With liquidity remaining robust and investor activity concentrated in selected counters, market participants are expected to monitor corporate developments, earnings expectations and macroeconomic indicators for further direction in the coming trading sessions.
