NGX Premium Stocks Lead Market Gains in 2025: Seplat Posts Steady Returns Amid Strong Index Growth
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Premium Index closed 2025 on a high note, outpacing the broader All-Share Index with a remarkable 59.40% gain to 15,493.2 points. The sub-index, which tracks companies with strong governance and liquidity, started the year at 9,719.8 points and climbed steadily, buoyed by trading activity exceeding 32 billion shares. This performance reflects growing investor confidence in blue-chip Nigerian stocks.
The Premium Index’s rally was particularly driven by July’s strong performance, which saw a 26.74% monthly gain. This momentum lifted third-quarter returns to 18.19%, marking the strongest quarter of 2025. On a year-to-date basis, the index closed ahead of the All-Share Index, which recorded a 51.19% gain, equivalent to 52,686.6 points, closing at 155,613.
Seplat, one of the eight NGX Premium stocks, finished the year in seventh place with a modest 1.91% gain, closing at N5,809 from N5,700. While 2025 was milder compared to Seplat’s 146.75% surge in 2024, the company maintained resilience through fluctuating market conditions. Shares dipped 12.91% in May but rebounded in June, with minor adjustments in the final months leaving the stock at a stable level.
The company’s steady stock performance was underpinned by robust financials. Seplat reported a 9-month post-tax profit of N146.6 billion, more than doubling its N52.7 billion profit in the same period of 2024. Its market capitalization currently stands at N3.3 trillion, representing 3.36% of the All-Share Index’s N99.9 trillion, demonstrating strong investor trust in the company’s governance and operational stability.
Overall, 2025 was a positive year for the NGX Premium Index, with seven of the eight premium stocks ending in positive territory. The index’s focus on companies with at least N40 billion free float, N200 billion market capitalization, and a 70% governance score has reinforced market confidence. Analysts view this as a sign that well-governed Nigerian companies can deliver sustainable returns even in volatile market conditions.
source: nairametrics