The Nigerian stock market closed in positive territory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, as gains in insurance and industrial stocks outweighed profit-taking in the banking, consumer goods, and oil & gas sectors. The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 0.12 percent, driven by renewed investor appetite for defensive and growth-oriented equities.
According to Futureview Research analysts, sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, supported by robust corporate earnings and sustained buying interest. “Barring any major macroeconomic headwinds or negative market surprises, investor sentiment is expected to remain broadly positive,” the analysts stated in their weekly market outlook.
At the close of trading, the NGX ASI advanced from 145,880.77 points to 146,055.89 points, while market capitalization increased from ₦92.294 trillion to ₦92.405 trillion. Trading activity was robust, with 1.28 billion shares worth ₦24.25 billion changing hands across 31,155 deals. Notably, Lasaco Assurance, Japaul Gold, Sterling Bank, AIICO Insurance, and Access Holdings were among the most actively traded stocks.
Top gainers for the session included Ellah Lakes, which climbed 10 percent from ₦14.60 to ₦16.06; ABC Transport, up 10 percent from ₦4.50 to ₦4.95; Champion Breweries, rising 10 percent from ₦15.80 to ₦17.38; and Prestige Assurance, which advanced from ₦2.00 to ₦2.20, also a 10 percent increase. These gains helped offset losses recorded in some banking and consumer goods equities.
The NGX’s year-to-date (YTD) return rose to 41.90 percent, reflecting sustained market resilience despite sectoral profit-taking. Month-to-date, the market has gained 4.43 percent, while this week’s performance stands at 0.21 percent, signaling continued momentum in the face of mixed sectoral trends.
Source: Business day