The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed the week ended Friday, March 27, 2026, on a negative note as the All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.12 percent to settle at 200,913.06 points.
Market capitalisation of equities also depreciated to ₦128.97 trillion, mirroring the decline in the benchmark index.
A total turnover of 3.95 billion shares valued at ₦201.31 billion was recorded in 359,642 deals during the week, representing a decline when compared to the 8.76 billion shares worth ₦267.25 billion traded in 193,473 deals in the previous week.
Sectoral performance showed that the Financial Services industry dominated trading activity, accounting for 2.88 billion shares valued at ₦102.26 billion in 139,093 deals, contributing 72.94 percent and 50.80 percent to total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
The ICT sector followed with 230.54 million shares worth ₦45.17 billion, while the Agriculture sector recorded 191.93 million shares valued at ₦6.63 billion.
Trading in Wema Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc accounted for 1.45 billion shares worth ₦43.19 billion in 28,436 deals, contributing 36.65 percent and 21.45 percent to total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
Daily trading data showed that Monday, March 23, recorded the highest turnover volume of 848.72 million shares valued at ₦53.28 billion, while Tuesday saw peak activity with 1.29 billion shares worth ₦65.29 billion.
Midweek trading moderated with 537.78 million shares traded on Wednesday and 677.66 million shares on Thursday, before closing the week with 594.63 million shares on Friday.
Performance across indices was largely negative as major benchmarks closed lower. The NGX Banking Index declined by 2.47 percent, while the NGX Premium Index fell by 2.76 percent and the NGX Corporate Governance Index dropped by 2.33 percent.
However, select indices recorded gains, including the NGX Oil and Gas Index which advanced by 1.93 percent, and the NGX Insurance Index which appreciated by 2.22 percent.
Market breadth remained relatively balanced as 47 equities appreciated in price during the week, compared to 48 in the previous week. A total of 45 equities declined, while 56 equities remained unchanged.
On the gainers’ chart, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc led with a 60.72 percent increase, followed by Premier Paints Plc which rose by 60.26 percent.
John Holt Plc gained 59.92 percent, while Legend Internet Plc and McNichols Plc appreciated by 25.00 percent and 20.65 percent, respectively.
Conversely, Livestock Feeds Plc recorded the highest loss of 11.73 percent, followed by Fidson Healthcare Plc which declined by 9.97 percent. Cadbury Nigeria Plc and Austin Laz & Company Plc also posted losses of 9.94 percent and 9.89 percent, respectively.
In the Exchange Traded Products (ETP) segment, a total of 9.91 million units valued at ₦1.60 billion were traded in 13,610 deals, representing an increase compared to 6.79 million units worth ₦649.50 million recorded in the previous week.
The bond market also recorded improved activity with 224,310 units valued at ₦226.45 million traded in 46 deals, significantly higher than the 25,552 units worth ₦25.91 million recorded in the previous week.
Overall, the market closed the week on a slightly bearish note as profit-taking outweighed buying interest in key large-cap stocks.
However, strong participation in financial services stocks and improved activity in ETFs and bonds suggest that liquidity remains present, while investors continue to rebalance portfolios in response to evolving macroeconomic conditions.