Trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) jumped sharply in the week ended August 14, 2026, with investors exchanging a staggering 12.15 billion shares valued at N176.06bn across 224,146 deals. The surge represents a 126.8 per cent increase in traded volume from the previous week, when 5.36 billion shares worth N139.05bn changed hands. Although investors were clearly more active, the market did not finish the week on a high note, as profit-taking following recent gains pushed the benchmark index lower.
The Financial Services sector was at the heart of the market’s busy week, accounting for 11.21 billion shares valued at N88.99bn in 102,246 deals. This represented more than 92 per cent of total equity turnover by volume and over half of the market’s turnover by value. The Information and Communication Technology sector followed with 246.13 million shares worth N51.61bn, while the Services sector recorded 198.20 million shares valued at N1.99bn. Trading was particularly concentrated in Fortis Global Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, which together accounted for 78.07 per cent of total equity turnover volume.
Despite the impressive trading activity, the market’s benchmark NGX All-Share Index fell by 1.20 per cent to 242,619.20 points, while total market capitalisation dropped 1.19 per cent to N156.62tn. The decline was largely linked to profit-taking as investors locked in gains from the market’s earlier rally. However, market breadth offered a more encouraging signal, with declining stocks falling to 59 from 63 the previous week, while 26 equities gained. Trans-Nationwide Express led the gainers with a 32.09 per cent rise, followed by International Energy Insurance at 31.68 per cent, while AVA Capital suffered the biggest decline, losing 34.55 per cent.
Beyond daily price movements, developments within the insurance industry also added momentum to the market. Lasaco Assurance Plc listed 9.236 billion additional ordinary shares on the NGX following its rights issue, lifting its issued and fully paid-up share capital from 11.084 billion to 20.320 billion shares. The move comes as Nigerian insurers work to strengthen their balance sheets and meet regulatory capital requirements, while investors continue to position themselves around expected corporate earnings and restructuring activities in the banking and insurance sectors.
Despite the weekly decline, the bigger picture remains positive for Nigerian equities. The NGX All-Share Index has gained 55.91 per cent year-to-date, showing that the latest pullback is more reflective of profit-taking than a complete loss of investor confidence. Some sectors have performed even more strongly, with the NGX Oil and Gas Index rising 94.81 per cent, the Premium Index gaining 85.14 per cent and the Industrial Goods Index climbing 82.84 per cent. With trading liquidity rising and institutional investors continuing to reposition their portfolios, the NGX enters the coming weeks with strong momentum—but also with investors watching closely for signs of another round of profit-taking.
source: punch
