Nigeria’s Stock Market Defies Gravity—But for How Long?

Lagos traders are riding high as the NGX index smashes records—another emerging market ’miracle’ fueled by hot money and hope.

Why the surge? Local investors chasing yield, a weak currency play, and that classic emerging-market cocktail: FOMO meets liquidity.

Just don’t ask about P/E ratios. Or corporate governance. Or the next Fed rate hike.

The All-Share Index ended the session up 382.13 points, or 0.35 percent, to 109,231.96 points. This resulted in a one-week return of 3%, a four-week return of 4%, and a year-to-date return of 6.13%.

The market capitalization grew to N68.7 trillion. The day’s trading involved 128 listed stocks, with 38 winners and 21 losers.

There was a 6% drop in volume, a 23% drop in turnover, and a 5% drop in deals compared to the day before, with 16,704 deals involving 554.1 million shares valued at N14.3 billion

Beta Glass Plc led the gainers’ table with a 10% increase, closing at N160.65 per share.

Chellarams Plc followed, finishing at N9.46 following a 10% rise. International Energy Insurance Plc gained 9.93% to settle at N1.66, while May & Baker Nigeria Plc advanced 9.78% to N10.10. The closing prices of Academy Press and University Press increased by 9.78% to N3.93 and N4.83, respectively.

Abbey Mortgage Bank saw a 10% drop in value, closing at N7.47 per share. Legend Internet Technologies Plc dropped 8.5 percent to N9.15, while Livestock Feeds Plc lost 9.77 percent to close at N7.85. Tantalizers Plc down 5.74 percent to N2.30, VFD Group Plc fell 5.88 percent to N16.00, and Deap Capital Management and Trust Plc lost 6.48 percent to settle at N1.01. With 69.8 million shares traded, Fidelity Bank Plc had the largest turnover in terms of volume. Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, with 46 million shares, Tantalizers with 55.1 million shares, and Access Holdings Plc, with 65.8 million shares, came next.