THUR MAY 21 2026-theGBJournal| The Nigerian equities market closed on a positive note on Thursday, as the benchmark index advanced by 5bps, bringing the year-to-date return to 60.13%.
The benchmark NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced 0.05% to settle at 249,175.39 points. Similarly, market capitalisation gained N72.44 billion (0.05%) to close at N159.73 trillion.
The bullish performance was driven by renewed buying interest in select stocks, particularly INTBREW (+3.66%), UNILEVER (+4.04%), and UACN (+3.80%), which outweighed losses recorded in stocks such as BERGER (-10.00%), OANDO (-2.06%), and CUSTODIAN (-2.18%).
Market activity remained mixed, with trading volume rising by 76.54% to 1.05 billion shares, while total value traded declined by 5.36% to N31.08 billion.
STERLINGNG (-0.64%) emerged as the most traded stock by volume with 322.68 million units exchanged, while ARADEL (+0.00%) led the value chart with transactions worth N5.06 billion.
Despite the increase in trading volume, market breadth remained negative, with 26 gainers against 49 decliners, reflecting bearish sentiment across selected counters.
INTENEGINS (+10.00%) topped the gainers’ chart among 26 advancing stocks, while BERGER (-10.00%) and LEARNAFRCA led the 49 laggards.
On the corporate front, several companies announced upcoming Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
At the NASD OTC market, bullish momentum was sustained, as market trading on a positive note with the NASD Security Index (NSI) advancing by 1.71% to settle at 4,242.47 points.
Similarly, market capitalisation appreciated by 1.71% to close at N2.53 trillion.
Market activity was mixed during the session, with trading volume increasing by 40.52%, while the total value of trades declined sharply by 71.62%.
On the performance chart, SDFOODCPT emerged as the top gainer, rising by 8.91%, while SDNITROXGAS led the laggards after shedding 6.13% at the close of trading
Meanwhile, the naira appreciated against the dollar at the NAFEM window, with the USD/NGN pair declining by 10bps to close at N1,373.00.
Nigeria’s external reserves sustained their upward trajectory, rising further by 7bps to $48.72 billion as of 19 May 2026.
The continued increase in reserves was largely driven by improved foreign exchange inflows, stronger oil export earnings.
In the commodities market, Brent crude oil prices rose marginally by 0.4% to settle at $107.27 per barrel.
The increase was primarily supported by renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
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