WED SEPT 23 2026-theGBJournal| The Nigerian stocks market extended its positive momentum, as the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 0.18% to close at 250,614.66 points, while market capitalisation increased by 0.18% to settle at N162.68 trillion.
This lifted the ASI year-to-date return to 61.05% from 60.76% in the previous session.
The positive performance was driven by gains in STANBIC (+7.09%), UBA (+4.07%) and ZENITHBANK (+2.64%), which outweighed losses recorded in MTNN (-4.49%), MANSARD (-6.67%) and CHAMPION (-8.68%).
Market activity was positive, as total volume traded rose by 45.82% to 837.26mn units, while value traded increased by 27.60% to N48.57 billion.
FIDELITYBK (+3.88%) led the volume chart with 165.43 million units traded, while ZENITHBANK (+2.64%) topped the value chart with transactions worth N13.73 billion.
Market breadth remained positive at 1.15x, reflecting a higher number of advancers relative to decliners, as thirty-eight stocks advanced against thirty-three decliners.
SOVRENINS (+9.95%) emerged as the session’s top gainer, while MULTIVERSE (-9.86%) led the losers’ chart.
The NASD OTC market closed today’s session on a negative note, as the NASD Security Index (NSI) declined by 2.22% to 4,412.33 points.
Market capitalisation also fell by 2.21% to N2.65 trillion, while the market’s year-to-date (YTD) return moderated to 24.51% from 27.34% in the previous session.
Trading activity was mixed, as traded volume declined by 16.60% to 1.96mn units, while transaction value increased by 29.63% to N238.76mn.
A total of 23 trades were executed, representing a 30.30% decline from the previous session.
Market sentiment remained weak, with no advancers recorded during the session and five (5) decliners. SDFSTTRUSTMB led the losers’ chart, shedding 10.00%.
At the currency market, the naira appreciated marginally against the U.S. dollar, with the USD/NGN pair declining by 0.08% to close at N1,330/$.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s external reserves increased by 0.13% to $54.79 billion as of 21 September 2026, extending the recent improvement in the country’s reserve position.
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