Investors on the Nigerian equities market exchanged 12.153 billion shares valued at N176.058 billion across 224,146 transactions, a sharp increase for the week ended Aug. 14.
The performance represents a 126.8 per cent increase in traded volume compared with the 5.359 billion shares worth N139.053 billion exchanged in 261,869 deals in the previous week.
Turnover value also increased by 26.6 percent, while the number of deals declined by about 14.4 per cent.
Market depth improved to 27.76 per cent from 21.67 per cent in the previous week, while average daily value traded rose to N35.21 billion from N27.81 billion.
The Financial Services Industry dominated market activity, accounting for 11.212 billion shares valued at N88.991 billion across 102,246 deals.
The sector contributed 92.25 per cent of total equity turnover by volume and 50.55 per cent by value.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry followed with 246.127 million shares worth N51.605 billion traded in 27,169 deals.
The Services Industry ranked third with 198.195 million shares valued at N1.995 billion across 13,747 deals.
Activity was particularly concentrated in three equities: Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc.
The trio accounted for 9.488 billion shares worth N36.219 billion in 1,781 deals, representing 78.07 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 20.57 per cent of turnover value for the week.
In spite of the surge in trading activity, the broader equities market closed lower as investors took profits following recent gains.
The NGX All-Share Index declined by 1.20 per cent to 242,619.20 points, while market capitalisation fell by 1.19 percent to N156.624 trillion.
Market breadth, however, showed some improvement. 26 equities appreciated during the week, unchanged from the previous week, while the number of declining equities eased to 59 from 63.
Sixty-two equities closed unchanged, compared with 58 in the preceding week.
Trans-Nationwide Express Plc led the gainers’ chart with a 32.09 per cent increase, followed by International Energy Insurance Plc, which advanced 31.68 per cent, and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, which gained 13.77 per cent.
On the other side, AVA Capital Plc topped the losers’ chart with a 34.55 per cent decline, followed by Unilever Nigeria Plc, down 18.94 per cent, and Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc, which shed 15.08 per cent.
Meanwhile, Lasaco Assurance Plc expanded its share capital following the listing of 9.236 billion additional ordinary shares on the NGX Daily Official List on Wednesday, August 12.
The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of five new ordinary shares for every six existing shares held as of February 20, 2026.
Following the listing, Lasaco Assurance’s issued and fully paid-up share capital increased from 11.084 billion shares to 20.320 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.
In spite of the week’s moderation, the broader market remains firmly positive for the year, with the NGX All-Share Index recording a year-to-date return of 55.91 per cent as of August 14.
Sectoral performance has been stronger in parts of the market, with the NGX Oil and Gas Index up 94.81 per cent year-to-date, followed by the NGX Premium Index at 85.14 per cent and the NGX Industrial Goods Index at 82.84 per cent.
This underscores the strength of the market’s gains in spite of the week’s profit-taking.
