NGX ASI Rises 0.31%, Equities Add ₦332.5bn as Investors Gain

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) sustained its positive momentum on Tuesday, with the All-Share Index (ASI) advancing by 31 basis points (0.31 per cent) to close at 165,901.57 points, lifting year-to-date returns to 6.61 per cent.

Market capitalisation rose in tandem, adding ₦332.50 billion to settle at ₦106.49 trillion, underscoring fresh value creation for investors despite uneven sectoral performance.

Selective buying drove the day’s gains, with AUSTINLAZ, UNIONDICON and IMG each surging 10.00 per cent and delivering outsized returns to shareholders.

These advances offset steep losses in CUTIX and OMATEX, which fell 10.00 per cent, and UHOMREIT, which declined 9.95 per cent, where investors experienced notable value erosion.

At the close of yesterday’s trading activity, the equities market recorded a mixed picture, with a total volume decline of 3.45 per cent, while transaction value jumped 33.98 per cent, signalling stronger conviction in higher‑priced trades.

It is, worthy of note that GTCO dominated the tape, accounting for 65.89 million shares worth ₦6.52 billion, making it the day’s most actively traded stock by both volume and value.

Also, the market breadth closed marginally positive, with 34 gainers against 33 decliners and a breadth ratio of 1.03x, highlighting a market still grappling with volatility where selective positioning determined investor outcomes.

On the NASD OTC Exchange, sentiment improved markedly as the NASD Securities Index climbed 0.96 per cent to 3,641.30 points and market capitalisation rose by ₦20.7 billion to close at ₦2.17 trillion.

Transaction volume surged 82.50 per cent and value increased 5.22 per cent, reflecting renewed investor appetite; SDAIRLIQ led the gainers with a 9.08 per cent rise while SDGEFLUID posted the session’s notable decline at 0.52 per cent.

Meanwhile, equity holders collectively saw ₦332.5 billion added to market value on the NGX, though losses in select counters underscored the risks of concentrated bets. Value-driven trades and resilience in liquid blue chips such as GTCO suggest institutional investors are rotating into high‑liquidity names, while the NASD rebound points to growing confidence in alternative markets as liquidity flows support broader investor gains.