Access Holdings Trades 126.5 Million Shares as Banking Stocks Extend Market Leadership
Access Holdings Plc emerged as the most actively traded stock on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Monday after investors exchanged 126.54 million shares valued at N3.95 billion.
The strong trading activity came during one of the market’s best sessions in recent weeks with the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) rising 1.20 percent to 244,199.39 points, while equity market capitalisation climbed to N157.739 trillion, adding more than N3 trillion compared with the market value recorded at the close of trading on August 27.
The rally followed the release of stronger second-quarter economic growth data showing Nigeria’s economy expanded 4.43 percent year-on-year, an improvement from 3.89 percent in the first quarter.
While trading data alone cannot establish that the GDP report drove the market higher, the session reflected stronger investor participation and renewed interest in growth-sensitive sectors.
Access Holdings’ turnover represented approximately 21 percent of the day’s total trading volume of 606.19 million shares, underscoring the lender’s importance to overall market liquidity.
The banking sector’s leadership extended beyond Access Holdings.
GTCO Plc recorded the highest transaction value among the day’s most actively traded equities after investors exchanged 33.18 million shares worth N4.43 billion, while UBA Plc followed with 31.49 million shares valued at N1.45 billion.
Together, Access Holdings, GTCO and UBA accounted for more than 191 million shares, representing almost one-third of all shares traded during the session.
The concentration of liquidity in banking stocks continues a trend observed over recent weeks, where institutional investors have consistently favoured large-cap financial institutions despite changing market conditions.
Unlike previous sessions, however, Monday’s rally was supported by stronger participation across the broader market.
The number of deals increased to 53,471, up from 40,323 recorded on August 27, while transaction value rose to N38.70 billion from N35.15 billion.
The simultaneous increase in trading volume, value and executed deals suggests fresh capital entered the market rather than simply rotating among existing positions.
Although banking stocks remained the market’s liquidity anchor, buying interest also expanded into other sectors.
Omatek Ventures Plc led the gainers’ chart with a 10.00 percent advance, followed by Ikeja Hotel Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc and Royal Exchange Plc, indicating that investor appetite extended beyond financial services.
Nevertheless, banking stocks remained central to market activity.
The combination of Access Holdings’ record trading volume, GTCO’s leadership by transaction value and UBA’s continued presence among the most actively traded equities highlights sustained investor confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector.
Monday’s trading suggests that financial institutions continue to serve as the primary destination for institutional capital. While buying interest broadened across several sectors, banking stocks once again provided the liquidity and market leadership that underpinned the Nigerian Exchange’s strongest session in recent weeks
