By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) — The Nigerian stock market closed on a bullish note on Thursday, recording gains of N331 billion for investors. This marked the fourth consecutive positive rally for the week, signaling growing investor confidence in the equities market.
The rally was largely driven by sustained interest in shares of Nestlé Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Aluminium Extrusion Industries, Daar Communications, Mecure Industries, and over 30 other listed companies.
The market capitalisation, which opened at N95.525 trillion, rose by N331 billion—or 0.35%—to close at N95.856 trillion. Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.35%, adding 520.23 points to settle at 150,363.05, up from 149,842.82 recorded on Wednesday.
Year-to-date returns strengthened further, rising to 46.09%, while market breadth closed positive, with 35 gainersagainst 26 losers.
Among gainers, Nestlé Nigeria led the chart, surging 10% to N1,958 per share, followed by Guinness Nigeria, up 9.98% to N289.70, and Aluminium Extrusion Industries, which rose 9.76% to N11.25 per share. Daar Communications climbed 9.20% to 95k, and Mecure Industries advanced 9.13%, closing at N55 per share.
Conversely, Stanbic topped the losers’ list with a 9.33% decline to N95.20, trailed by Lasaco Assurance, down 9.09%to N2.50, and Africa Prudential, which dipped 8.82% to N12.40. Austinlaz fell 8.33% to N2.20, while Sterling Nigeria shed 6.12%, closing at N6.90.
Analysis of market activity revealed a slowdown in deals, with 839.8 million shares valued at N32.8 billion traded across 23,211 transactions, compared with 5.9 billion shares worth N216.2 billion in 25,205 transactions previously recorded.
Meanwhile, First Holding Company recorded the highest volume and value for the day, trading 385.62 million shares valued at N15.54 billion.
The continued bullish trend reflects growing investor confidence in select blue-chip stocks, even as overall market activity slows, suggesting cautious optimism in Nigeria’s equity market.
Sub Zero ✔
Godwin Okafor is the Publisher & CEO of Naija247news Media Group LLC, an independent investigative news platform delivering accurate, data-driven reporting on Nigerian and global politics, economy, finance, and business. Founded in October 2010, Naija247news specializes in developmental journalism, providing timely insights and analysis to readers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
View Archive →
