Equities market surges as year-to-date returns hit 60.97%

The Nigerian equities market opened the trading week on a remarkably bullish note, with the benchmark index advancing by 2.33%.

This latest surge has pushed the year-to-date (YTD) return to an impressive 60.97%, signaling sustained investor confidence in the local bourse.

Market activity witnessed a significant spike as trading volume skyrocketed by 33.58%, reaching 1.50 billion shares.

Similarly, the total value of trades rose by 27.67% to ₦70.35 billion, reflecting a robust appetite for stocks across various boards.

Market breadth, a key indicator of investor sentiment remained firmly positive.

At the close of the session, 64 gainers emerged against 24 decliners, underscoring a resilient and widespread bullish trend.

The Banking Sector emerged as the primary driver of the day’s activities. Not only did it dominate in terms of volume and value traded, but it also secured the position of top-performing sector with a daily gain of 4.67%.

In contrast, the Oil and Gas Sector continues to hold the title for the strongest long-term performance this year.

With an extraordinary year-to-date return of 117.57%, the sector remains the most lucrative play for investors in 2026.

Performance charts revealed that CHAMS and FTNCOCOA led the gainers’ table, while PRESTIGE topped the laggards’ list, followed by SOVRENINS.

In addition to the price movements, several listed companies have formally announced schedules for their upcoming Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

These meetings are expected to provide shareholders with deeper insights into corporate strategies and dividend declarations following a highly profitable start to the fiscal year.

Analysts suggest that while the market is currently riding a wave of high liquidity and positive sentiment, investors should remain mindful of sectoral rotations as the year progresses.