By Sofiyyah Layole
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) sustained a positive trajectory during Thursday’s trading session, with key market indicators inching upward on the back of mild investor interest in mid- and large-cap stocks.
The bullish sentiment lifted the All-Share Index (ASI) by 0.12 percent to close at 143,239.23 points, while the equity market capitalisation appreciated to ₦91.12 trillion.
This upward trend extended to the fixed-income segment, which advanced by 0.09 percent to close at ₦51.26 trillion. However, the Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) segment faced a slight contraction, shedding 0.18 percent to settle at ₦36.62 billion by the close of the session.
Trading activity on the gainers’ chart was robust, with Linkage Assurance and Ikeja Hotel emerging as the top performers. Both stocks surged by a maximum of 10 percent to close at ₦1.87 and ₦27.50, respectively. They were closely trailed by Learn Africa and NCR, which both appreciated by 9.96 percent to close at ₦5.74 and ₦54.65, while Union Dicon Salt extended its bullish run with a 9.52 percent rise to close at ₦6.90.
Conversely, market sentiment was dampened by losses in specific counters. Champion Breweries led the decliners, shedding 9.85 percent of its share value to close at ₦12.35. Sterling Financial Holdings also faced selling pressure, retreating by 8.33 percent to ₦7.15, while UPDC Plc dropped 8.23 percent to ₦5.02. Other notable decliners included C&I Leasing, which dipped by 4.83 percent to ₦5.32, and Guinea Insurance, which fell by 4.35 percent to close at ₦1.10.