By theG&Journal
WED MAR 04 2026-theGBJournal| The Nigerian equities market closed slightly lower on Wednesday, as the NGX All-Share Index dipped by 0.1%, reflecting mild profit-taking across select counters.
The year-to-date return eased at 26.25%, down from 26.34% previously, while market capitalisation also declined by 0.07% to settle at N126.08 trillion.
The marginal decline underscores cautious investor sentiment, with traders trimming positions after recent gains while monitoring macroeconomic signals and liquidity trends.
Selling pressure was evident in a handful of medium- and large-capitalised stocks, including DANGSUGAR (-10.0%), JAIZBANK (-10.0%), and ETI (-4.5%) which offset pockets of bargain hunting seen in defensive and fundamentally strong names such as n MTNN (+1.28%), UACN (+7.78%), and CUSTODIAN (+6.06%).
Market activity declined during the session, as transaction volume decreased by 1.89% and trade value fell by 11.15%, reflecting mild participation. JAIZBANK (-10.00%) led the volume chart with 51.03mn units traded, while MTNN (+1.28%) topped the value chart with N7.08bn in transactions.
Market breadth leaned slightly negative at 0.59x, with 24 gainers and 41 laggards. UACN (+7.78.00%) emerged as the top gainer, while DANGSUGAR (-10.00%) led the decliners’ chart.
In contrast, the naira recorded a modest appreciation against the dollar, rising by 0.1% to N1,391.00/USD, and offering a glimmer of support to broader financial markets.
The local currency’s marginal gain points to relative stability in the foreign exchange market, amid ongoing efforts to improve liquidity and sustain investor confidence.
Overall, the session highlights a mixed financial landscape — softer equities performance alongside a firmer currency.
While the stock market continues to navigate valuation concerns and shifting capital flows, the naira’s steady footing may help cushion sentiment in the near term if sustained.
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