The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a sharp decline in trading activity last week, with total market turnover falling by 47.18 percent to N134.49 billion as investors adopted a more cautious stance amid ongoing economic uncertainties. The significant drop highlights growing concerns among market participants who are increasingly selective about where they commit capital, resulting in lower volumes and weaker overall market momentum.
Data from the NGX showed that investors traded 2.32 billion shares in 249,328 deals during the week ended June 26, 2026, compared to 3.08 billion shares worth N254.61 billion exchanged in the previous week. The slowdown reflects a broader trend of risk aversion, as many investors continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions, inflationary pressures, and market volatility before making fresh investment decisions.
Despite the decline in overall activity, the Financial Services sector remained the market’s most active segment. The industry accounted for more than 65 percent of total trading volume, with 1.52 billion shares valued at N47.54 billion changing hands. The Information and Communications Technology sector followed, while Consumer Goods companies also attracted notable investor interest. Access Holdings, Fidelity Bank, and Chams Holding Company emerged among the most actively traded stocks, reinforcing the dominance of banking and technology equities in market transactions.
The bearish mood also weighed heavily on market performance, pushing the NGX All-Share Index down by 1.65 percent to close at 232,049.02 points. Market capitalization declined by 1.60 percent to N148.91 trillion, while sectoral performance was largely negative. Oil and Gas stocks suffered the steepest losses, followed by Industrial Goods companies. However, the Banking Index posted gains, suggesting that investors continued to see value in selected financial institutions despite the broader market weakness.
Corporate developments offered a bright spot during the week, with major listings boosting activity on the Exchange. First HoldCo expanded its share capital following a successful private placement, while Ellah Lakes increased its issued shares through a debt-to-equity conversion. Additionally, the Federal Government listed new Savings Bonds worth over N4.6 billion, providing investors with alternative fixed-income opportunities. While trading sentiment remains cautious, analysts believe upcoming corporate earnings and economic indicators could play a crucial role in shaping investor confidence in the weeks ahead.
source: punch
