The Nigerian Exchange closed March 2026 on a positive note, rising 4.39 per cent and marking the fourth consecutive month of gains, with total market value reaching N129.2 trillion.
The market grew from 192,826.8 at the start of the month, crossing 200,000 for the first time to close at 201,287.8.
On a quarterly basis, this brought the Q1 2026 return to 29.35 per cent, with trading volume exceeding 52 billion shares, marking a sixth consecutive quarter of growth since Q3 2024.
Out of five trading weeks in March 2026, the market closed higher in four, although trading activity slowed compared to the previous month as investors likely became more cautious after the prior month’s rally.
However, gains across major sectors and their stocks helped keep the market rising despite lower participation.
According to monthly data from the NGX, the Industrial Goods sector led performance, gaining 19.98 per cent in March 2026 with trading volume of over 498 million shares.
Among large-cap industrial stocks, BUA Cement rose 49.18 per cent, Lafarge Africa gained 9.95%, while Dangote Cement recorded a modest increase of 3.98 per cent.
In the mid-cap segment, Berger Paints recorded a modest gain of 2.57 per cent during the month.
The Oil and Gas sector followed, rising 7.99% with over 806 million shares traded, supported by gains in Aradel, which advanced 16.24 per cent, while Seplat closed flat.
Other oil and gas stocks also recorded gains, with Conoil up 20.95%, Oando rising 19.62 per cent, and Eterna increasing 6.08 per cent.
However, the Insurance sector declined 9.45 per cent as the worst performer, followed by the Banking sector down 1.66 per cent and the Consumer Goods sector edging lower by 0.24 per cent.
