Nigerian Equities Market Hits Record N104.5 Trillion Valuation
The Nigerian Exchange concluded trading on Monday, January 12, 2026, on a robustly positive note, with the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) advancing by 946.6 points to close at 163,244.7 points. This significant gain propelled the index firmly above the 163,000-point threshold, underscoring a strong start to the week. Market capitalization mirrored this ascent, climbing to N104.5 trillion from N103.7 trillion in the previous session, marking a historic milestone for the exchange.
Heightened Activity and Sector Performance
Trading activity witnessed a dramatic spike, with total volume surging to 1.14 billion shares exchanged across 59,359 deals, a substantial increase from the 624 million shares traded previously. This surge in volume reflects markedly stronger investor participation. The day’s performance was buoyed by notable gains in key sectors. Stocks worth over one trillion naira (SWOOTs) exhibited a broadly bullish trend, with Lafarge Africa and Nigerian Breweries recording significant advances. Similarly, banking stocks within the FUGAZ category, including First Bank of Nigeria Holdings and Access Holdings, posted appreciable gains, contributing to the overall market uplift.
Leading the gainers’ chart were Deap Capital Management, Etranzact, and UPDC, each appreciating by the maximum 10.00%. Conversely, Champion Breweries and Eunisell led the decliners. On the volume front, Sovereign Trust Insurance recorded the highest activity with 307.4 million units traded, followed by Fidelity Bank and LinkAssure. By transaction value, Fidelity Bank also led with deals worth N3.1 billion.
Market Outlook and Analysis
The ASI’s 0.58% gain on Monday further lifted its year-to-date return to 4.90%, reflecting sustained investor confidence in key equities early in 2026. The index’s ability to hold above the 163,000-point level, driven by robust performances in both mid- and large-cap stocks, suggests the potential for a more stable upward trajectory rather than sharp speculative spikes. Market analysts, including financial writer Okoye Izuchukwu, note that while sustained and broad-based buying interest could extend the rally, the possibility of a retracement remains as some indicators suggest the market may be overbought. This careful analysis comes amidst broader financial discussions, much like the scrutiny following Arokodare dropped transfer news or the personal revelations about my private part in other contexts, highlighting the importance of measured evaluation. The market’s resilience stands in contrast to other national conversations, such as those involving the Ebonyi First Lady or the recent Us warns holiday travel advisory, reminding investors that local equities can often follow a distinct path. As political figures like Atiku says 2025 will be pivotal, the financial markets continue to write their own narrative based on economic fundamentals and investor sentiment.
