The Nigerian stock market opened the week lower on Monday, August 24, 2026, as profit-taking pushed the NGX All-Share Index down 0.11% to 239,085.17 points and reduced market capitalisation by N137.12 billion.
The Nigerian stock market started the week on a negative note on Monday, August 24, 2026, as investors took profits in First Holdco Plc and 31 other stocks.
The decline reduced the market’s value by N137.12 billion, while the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) fell by 265.99 points, or 0.11 per cent, to close at 239,085.17 points.
The market’s year-to-date return also moderated to 53.64 per cent, compared with 53.81 per cent at the end of the previous week. Trading sentiment was negative, with 32 stocks recording losses compared with 18 gainers.
Red Star Express recorded the strongest gain, rising 9.86 per cent to N16.15 per share. University Press followed with a 9.38 per cent increase to N5.25, while UPDC gained 5.97 per cent to close at N3.55.
Haldane McCall rose 3.90 per cent to N4.00, while Sunu Assurance gained 3.33 per cent to N3.10 per share.
International Energy Insurance led the decliners, falling 9.82 per cent to N3.49 per share. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals declined 9.38 per cent to N7.25, while Fidelity Bank lost 6.00 per cent to close at N18.80.
Guinea Insurance fell 5.19 per cent to 73 kobo, while NPF Microfinance Bank declined 4.82 per cent to N3.95 per share.
Despite the decline in the index, trading activity increased significantly. Total volume traded rose 60.5 per cent to 668.72 million shares, valued at N23.83 billion across 45,894 deals.
Fortis Global Insurance recorded the highest trading volume at 205.336 million shares worth N412.925 million. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 81.334 million shares valued at N3.603 billion, while First Holdco traded 40.414 million shares worth N5.174 billion.
FCMB Group recorded 21.055 million shares worth N238.692 million, while Access Holdings traded 17.867 million shares valued at N484.184 million.
Looking ahead, United Capital Plc said the equities market could remain fairly stable during the week despite recent profit-taking following the strong gains recorded earlier in the year. The investment firm said the market’s strong year-to-date performance should continue to support investor interest, while investors are likely to focus on companies with strong earnings, attractive valuations and good dividend prospects.
However, continued profit-taking could limit further gains and keep trading cautious. United Capital also pointed to stable naira conditions, improved investor confidence and upcoming corporate results as factors that could influence market performance and individual stocks during the week.
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