After two clear weeks that witnessed 11 consecutive sessions of losses, Nigerian equities returned to positive territory in a shortened four-day trading week ended August 28, with the benchmark NGX All-Share Index (ASI) rising 1,947.31 points, or 0.81%, to close at 241,298.47 points, up from 239,351.16 points the previous week.
Market capitalisation appreciated by 0.84% during the week to close at N155.826 trillion. The quarter-to-date return stood at +5.18% and the year-to-date return held firm at +55.06%. The difference in percentage gain between the Index and Market capitalization was due to additional listings that boosted valuations of the listed equities.
The rebound triggered by FTSE Russell’s decision to proceed with the reclassification of Nigeria from “Unclassified” to “Frontier Market” status, saw renewed buying interest in oil & gas, banking and value stocks, even as the market remained down 1.62% for the month of August.
University Press Plc emerged as the week’s standout performer, surging 18.75% to close at N5.70 from N4.80, while International Energy Insurance Plc led the losers with a sharp 26.61% decline.
Trading activity slowed, with total turnover falling to 2.507 billion shares worth N123.223 billion in 173,561 deals, compared with 6.242 billion shares valued at N157.764 billion in 186,496 deals the previous week. The market was closed on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, for the Eid el Maulud public holiday.
Twenty-four equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than the 18 recorded the previous week. Fifty-five equities depreciated, lower than 59 the week before, while 68 equities remained unchanged, slightly lower than the 70 recorded previously.
Sector performance was mixed but tilted positive, with Oil & Gas leading the recovery.
Other decliners included NGX Main Board (-0.10%), NGX MERI Growth (-2.21%), NGX Lotus II (-1.03%), NGX Industrial Goods (-0.001%) and NGX Growth (-1.56%).
- University Press — up 18.75% to N5.70
- FirstHoldCo — up 11.58% to N145.00
- Seplat Energy — up 10.00% to N12,320.60
- Red Star Express — up 9.86% to N16.15
- Transcorp Hotels — up 9.76% to N265.50
- Access Holdings — up 9.26% to N29.50
- Cornerstone Insurance — up 9.18% to N5.35
- UPDC — up 5.97% to N3.55
- Omatek Ventures — up 5.63% to N1.50
- Abbey Mortgage Bank — up 5.59% to N8.50
- International Energy Insurance — down 26.61% to N2.84
- Fidson Healthcare — down 17.69% to N77.00
- Caverton Offshore Support Group — down 15.15% to N4.20
- Zichis Agro Allied Industries — down 14.71% to N14.50
- Austin Laz & Company — down 11.97% to N2.50
- AVA Capital — down 10.96% to N6.50
- Veritas Kapital Assurance — down 10.77% to N1.16
- Livestock Feeds — down 10.00% to N7.20
- TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria — down 10.00% to N576.00
- Ikeja Hotel — down 10.00% to N38.70
The week’s 0.81% ASI gain reversed part of the earlier August losses but left the market still negative for the month. The recovery was led by large-cap names in banking and energy with a fairly broad-based rally.
On the final trading day – Friday, August 28 – the ASI rose a further 0.90% to 241,298.47 points, with market capitalisation reaching approximately N155.83 trillion. Breadth was positive (33 gainers against 19 losers), though higher volume was concentrated in lower-priced shares as trading value declined.
