The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded one of its strongest single-day performances on Monday, February 17, 2026, as the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) soared to a new record high of 190,262.44 points, up 4.36% or 7,949.36 points from Friday’s close of 182,313.08 points.
This powerful advance propelled the total market capitalization from N117.03 trillion to N122.13 trillion, delivering an impressive N5.10 trillion gain for investors in a single trading session and underscoring sustained bullish momentum in Africa’s largest equities market.
Broad-based buying interest drove the rally, with key sectoral indices posting robust gains. The NGX Industrial Index led the pack with a 7.78% increase (520.01 points), followed by the NGX Banking Index, which rose 4.71% (83.75 points). Other major gauges—including the Pension Broad Index, Consumer Goods Index, Insurance Index, and Oil & Gas Index—also advanced, reflecting widespread participation across sectors.
Market activity intensified significantly. Total share volume climbed 13.46% to 1.06 billion units, while transaction value jumped 19.48% to N62.99 billion. The number of deals rose 28.30% to 64,237, signaling heightened investor engagement.
Access Holdings Plc dominated trading by volume, accounting for 86.7 million shares or 8.06% of the day’s total turnover. Aradel Holdings Plc led by value, contributing N11.0 billion, equivalent to 17.21% of aggregate transaction value.
Gains were particularly pronounced among large-cap and mid-cap names. Top performers included ABC Transport Plc, Betaglas Plc, Ikeja Hotel Plc, MCNichols Plc, Oando Plc, Aradel Holdings Plc, and Jaiz Bank Plc—all of which recorded the maximum daily allowable gain of 10.00%. Heavyweight counters also joined the rally: MTN Nigeria climbed 9.99%, Dangote Cement advanced 9.95%, and Zenith Bank rose 9.95%.
Despite the dominant positive sentiment, a handful of stocks experienced profit-taking or selling pressure. Decliners were led by RT Briscoe Plc (-9.99%), DEAP Capital Management & Trust Plc (-9.91%), Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc (-9.62%), Guinea Insurance Plc (-9.27%), and Tantalizers Plc (-8.11%).
Analysts attribute Monday’s surge to renewed confidence in fundamentally sound companies, particularly in the banking, industrial goods, and premium-listed segments. Strong liquidity inflows, coupled with favorable sector rotation, continue to support the market’s upward trajectory.
With the ASI now firmly above the 190,000-point milestone, the NGX remains in clear bullish territory. Market participants will be watching closely to see whether this momentum can be sustained amid ongoing economic developments and potential shifts in investor sentiment.
