The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 1,316.82 points, or 1.02%, to close at 130,283.82, marking one of the strongest single-day performances in recent weeks. This positive momentum has contributed to a weekly gain of ₦2.3 trillion over just three trading sessions.
Lagos, Nigeria – July 18, 2025
The Nigerian stock market recorded a major leap on Thursday as investor sentiment strengthened across key sectors, pushing the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to a remarkable gain of ₦833 billion. This surge lifted the total market capitalisation from ₦81.6 trillion to ₦82.4 trillion, reflecting renewed confidence in blue-chip and industrial stocks.
Major Gainers: Cement Giants Lead the Charge
Investor appetite was strongest in the industrial goods and consumer goods sectors, with cement stocks emerging as the top performers:
BUA Cement soared by 10% to close at ₦112.20
Dangote Cement surged 9.99% to ₦473.30
CHAMS Holding gained 9.96% to ₦3.09
First Bank Holdings (FBNH) advanced 9.94% to ₦35.40
ABC Transport rose 9.85% to ₦5.69
The robust performance of cement companies was a key driver of the 9.1% gain in the Industrial Index, its best showing in recent times.
Sector Performance: Mixed Fortunes Across the Board
While the industrial sector soared, other sectors posted mixed results:
The Premium Index gained 2.7%
The Top 30 Index advanced 1.08%
However, the Banking Index declined by 2.3%,
The Insurance Index shed 0.9%,
The Oil & Gas Index dipped by 0.6%
These losses indicate a degree of profit-taking and rotation as investors rebalance their portfolios.
Losers: Paints and Pharmaceuticals Take a Hit
Some equities experienced sharp declines, notably:
Berger Paints, May & Baker, MeCure Industries, John Holt, Hallmark Insurance, and RT Briscoe all fell by 10%, trading between ₦3.42 and ₦33.75.
Trading Volume and Market Activity
A total of 1.19 billion shares valued at ₦42.76 billion were exchanged in 37,418 deals, reflecting a highly active trading day.
Access Holdings led in volume with 168 million shares worth ₦4.62 billion
First Bank Holdings followed with 86 million shares valued at ₦3.04 billion
Zenith Bank recorded 83 million shares worth ₦6.29 billion
Outlook: Earnings Season Boosts Momentum
The sharp uptick in market performance is largely attributed to bullish positioning ahead of the half-year earnings season. Analysts note that investors are responding to expectations of strong financial results and potential dividend declarations, particularly in the industrial and consumer sectors.
Despite weakness in banking and insurance, market sentiment remains broadly optimistic, underpinned by positive macroeconomic signals and improved corporate fundamentals.
