The Nigerian All-Share Index (ASI) recorded a slight uptick, gaining 300.49 points to close at 140,655.8, a 0.21% increase from the prior session’s 140,365.4. This advance brings the index closer to the 141,000 threshold, signaling cautious optimism among investors. However, trading activity saw a decline, with total volume dropping to 378 million shares from 767 million the previous day, reflecting a more subdued market.
Market capitalization mirrored the upward trend, surpassing N89 trillion across 22,935 deals, underscoring sustained investor interest. Leading the gainers, GUINNESS, CILEASING, and LIVINGTRUST each surged by 10%, closing at N143.00, N6.60, and N4.62, respectively. Other notable performers included ETRANZACT, up 9.68% to N13.60, and REGALINS, which rose 9.42% to N1.51. On the losing side, NEM and MANSARD experienced significant declines, falling 9.94% to N28.10 and 4.76% to N15.99, respectively.
Trading volume was dominated by JAPAULGOLD, which saw 42 million shares traded, followed by ZENITHBANK with 27.9 million and UBA with 27.2 million. ACCESSCORP and NIGERIAN BREWERIES also ranked among the top five, with 25.3 million and 18.5 million shares traded, respectively. In terms of value, ZENITHBANK led with trades worth N1.8 billion, followed by NIGERIAN BREWERIES at N1.29 billion and GUINNESS at N1.23 billion.
The performance of high-value stocks was mixed. Among the SWOOTs (Stocks Worth Over One Trillion Naira), ARADEL and NIGERIAN BREWERIES posted marginal gains of 0.04% and 0.07%, respectively. In the FUGAZ category, UBA led with a 2.34% increase, followed by FIRSTHOLDCO at 1.64% and ZENITHBANK at 1.52%. ACCESSCORP was the only decliner, slipping 0.19%.
Looking ahead, the ASI’s recent recovery from a low of 138,157.1 on September 3 suggests a potential correction phase. If large-cap stocks maintain their bullish momentum, the market could test the 141,000 level soon, provided trading volumes stabilize.
