The Nigerian stock market closed slightly higher on March 5, 2026, as the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index gained 343.9 points to settle at 196,807.2 points, representing a 0.18% increase from the previous trading session. Despite the modest rise, the market maintained its upward momentum for the year, with investors continuing to monitor movements closely as the index approaches the psychological 200,000-point mark.
Trading activity, however, slowed during the session. A total of 634 million shares were traded, down from 805.2 million shares recorded the previous day. Still, Jaiz Bank dominated the market in terms of volume, exchanging 137.3 million shares. Other active stocks included Guaranty Trust Holding Company with 45.4 million shares and Access Holdings with 29.7 million shares.
The overall market value of listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange Group stood at N126.3 trillion, highlighting the growing size of Nigeria’s equities market. By value, GTCO led the day’s transactions with trades worth N5.4 billion, followed by Aradel Holdings at N4.6 billion and MTN Nigeria with N3.07 billion.
Market sentiment remained cautiously optimistic as buying interest lifted several stocks. Eterna Plc and NPF Microfinance Bank both recorded a 10% gain during the session, making them the top performers of the day. On the other hand, profit-taking pressured some stocks, with Triple Gee & Company Plc and Multiverse Mining & Exploration Plc falling by 9.94% and 9.91% respectively.
Analysts say the slower price movement and declining trading volume suggest investors are becoming more cautious as the market nears the 200,000-point threshold. With the year-to-date return holding at 26.47%, the market is currently considered technically overbought, which could trigger mild pullbacks in some stocks. Still, the latest close at 196,807.2 points marks the highest level the Nigerian stock market has reached so far this year.