By theG&BJournal
TUE MAR 03 2026-theGBJournal| The Nigerian equities market sustained its upward momentum, with the NGX All-Share Index advancing by 56 basis points to close at 196,605.33 points in Tuesday’s trading session, reinforcing the bullish undertone that has defined recent activity.
The year-to-date return consequently improved to 26.34%, up from 25.64% previously, while market capitalisation rose in tandem by 0.56% to settle at N126.19 trillion.
The marginal gain, while modest, underscores steady bargain hunting in select blue-chip and mid-cap stocks amid improving investor sentiment.
The upbeat performance was largely underpinned by strong buying interest in bellwether and mid-cap counters, particularly BUAFOODS (+0.91%), OANDO (+9.96%), WAPCO (+1.20%), and UACN (+10.00%).
These gains more than offset losses recorded in TRANSCORP (-3.53%), MTNN (-0.38%), FIRSTHOLDCO (-1.40%), and JAIZBANK (-4.99%).
Market activity strengthened during the session, as transaction volume increased by 3.91% and trade value surged by 23.27%, reflecting improved liquidity and participation.
STERLINGNG (-0.60%) led the volume chart with 56.82mn units traded, while ARADEL (+9.07%) topped the value chart with N8.22bn in transactions.
Market breadth closed flat at 1.00x, with 37 gainers and 37 laggards. UACN (+10.00%) emerged as the top gainer, while FIDSON (-10.00%) led the decliners’ chart.
NASD Summary
Meanwhile, the NASD OTC market extended its rally, sustaining gains as investors rotated into unlisted securities perceived to offer attractive valuations and dividend prospects.
The NASD Security Index (NSI) advancing 1.88% to close at 4,219.47 points. Market capitalisation rose by an equivalent margin to settle at N2.52trn.
Trading activity was mixed during the session, with transaction volume declining by 19.62%, while trade value advanced significantly by 447.24%.
SDFSTTRUSTMB (+8.85%) emerged as the top gainer, while SDFOODCPT (-10.00%) recorded the session’s steepest decline.
The continued strength in the alternative market signals broad-based appetite for equities beyond the main exchange.
Overall, the twin advances across the NGX and NASD platforms highlight a cautiously optimistic mood in Nigeria’s capital market, as investors weigh corporate performance, policy direction, and global risk factors in shaping near-term trading strategies.
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