The Nigerian Exchange closed the week ended April 24, 2026, in positive territory, gaining 8,554.92 points to settle at 225,722.49 points and extending its strong upward momentum.
- +Best performing Nigerian stocks for the week ended April 24, 2026
Tracked by the All-Share Index, this marks a weekly increase of 3.94% from the previous close of 217,167.57, as the index broke above the 220,000 level for the first time.
Tracked by the All-Share Index, this marks a weekly increase of 3.94% from the previous close of 217,167.57, as the index broke above the 220,000 level for the first time.
Market activity also improved, with total trades rising to 3.8 billion shares in 297,202 deals compared to 3.5 billion previously, while market capitalization reached N145.3 trillion.
Market breadth was mixed, as 46 equities advanced, fewer than 61 in the prior week, while 53 declined, higher than 36, and 47 stocks remained unchanged.
Year-to-date performance remains strong, with the index returning 45.05%, while month-to-date gains stand at 12.14%, reflecting sustained bullish momentum.
The market recorded five positive trading sessions during the week, with buying pressure strengthening toward the close as price action intensified and supported the overall upward movement.
Across segments, the NGX Premium Index rose 5.91%, supported by gains in Lafarge Africa, First HoldCo, UBA, Zenith Bank, Dangote Cement, and Access Holdings, while NGX 30 gained 3.83% and the Main Board 2.79%.
All sectors closed higher in the trading week ended April 24, 2026, led by the NGX Industrial Goods Index (up 7.70%), as Lafarge gained 21.36%, Dangote Cement rose 8.14%, and BUA Cement added 2.54%.
The NGX Banking Index advanced 6.81%, driven by First Holdco (17.19%), Ecobank (15.90%), Wema Bank (15.10%), UBA (14.58%), Fidelity Bank (11.22%), Zenith Bank (7.86%), Accesscorp (4.68%), FCMB (4.98%), GTCO (4.12%), and Sterling (2.55%).
In the consumer goods space, the NGX Consumer Goods Index climbed 5.25%, supported by gains in BUA Foods (7.93%) and Nigerian Breweries (2.26%), while Nascon Allied Industries, PZ Cussons, and Unilever ranked among the top advancers.
The NGX Oil and Gas Index rose 0.86%, while the NGX Insurance Index edged higher by 0.40%, rounding off a week of widespread gains across the market.
The top-performing stocks for the week were:
The week’s worst-performing stocks included:
The week featured notable corporate disclosures across sectors:
United Capital approved an N18 billion dividend payout to shareholders for FY2025.
Large-cap stocks, particularly in the banking and industrial goods sectors, led the rally, pushing the index to 225,722 points.
This marks the fourth consecutive week of gains since late March, when the index posted a marginal decline of 0.12%, signaling a sustained recovery in market sentiment.
The All-Share Index has maintained a 14-session winning streak so far.
If momentum in large-cap counters persists, the index could extend its advance and test levels above 226,000 in the near term.
