The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) continued its upward momentum on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, as the market saw renewed buying interest in major stocks. The All-Share Index (ASI) climbed by 0.5 per cent to close at 144,796.37 points. This rise was largely driven by gains in large-cap stocks such as BUA Cement, which pushed the overall market value higher.
The total market capitalisation of listed equities on the NGX increased by N459 billion to settle at N91.61 trillion. This strong performance reflected improved investor confidence and sustained interest across key sectors of the Nigerian capital market. The positive trend follows recent gains recorded on the stock exchange, showing signs that investors are still optimistic despite economic uncertainties.
Trading activities remained vibrant as the total volume of shares exchanged on the floor of the exchange hit 1.03 billion units. These shares were traded in 13,625 deals, with a total value of N22.8 billion. Compared to the previous trading session, the market recorded a 27 per cent increase in trading volume and a 17 per cent rise in the value of transactions, indicating renewed investor appetite in the equities market.
BUA Cement Plc, owned by billionaire businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu, emerged as the top gainer for the day. The cement manufacturing company added N6.60 to its share price, closing at N132.10 per share. This strong performance from BUA Cement contributed significantly to the market’s overall bullish trend. The stock continues to benefit from investor confidence in Nigeria’s infrastructure development and ongoing cement demand.
Also on the gainers’ list was Nigerian Enamelware Plc, which added N5.20 to close at N57.30 per share. Pharmaceutical company Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc rose by N0.17 to close at N1.92 per share, while Cornerstone Insurance Plc gained N0.17 to settle at N1.89. Guinea Insurance Plc also posted gains of N0.07, ending the day at N0.78 per share.
On the flip side, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc recorded the highest loss during the trading session. The mortgage bank shed N0.20 to close at N2.15 per share. UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust followed, losing N0.35 to close at N3.15. Academy Press Plc also saw its share price fall by N0.23, closing at N2.10.
Other losers included John Holt Plc, which dropped by N0.35 to end at N3.31, and Tantalizers Plc, which fell by N0.05 to settle at N0.51 per share. These declines indicate that some investors took profits after recent gains in those stocks.
In terms of trading volume, AIICO Insurance Plc led the chart, with 97.1 million shares exchanged. Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) followed closely with 76.2 million shares traded. Other actively traded stocks included Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc with 66.7 million shares, Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc with 53.4 million shares, and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc with 45.7 million shares.
By value, GTCO topped the list with N3.8 billion worth of shares traded. BUA Cement followed with N2.7 billion, while UBA recorded trades worth N1.2 billion. These figures point to the high demand for shares of these top-tier companies among institutional and retail investors alike.
Sector performance was largely positive, with the NGX Insurance Index posting the biggest gain of the day. It rose by 7.53 per cent, reflecting broad gains in insurance companies’ stocks. The NGX Industrial Goods Index also recorded a 3.35 per cent increase, largely driven by BUA Cement’s performance.
However, not all segments of the market performed positively. The NGX Pension Index dropped by 0.24 per cent, despite maintaining a strong year-to-date gain of 53.34 per cent. Analysts say the slight dip may be due to minor corrections in pension-related stocks after recent rallies.
Market analysts are watching the equities market closely as bullish sentiment continues. They believe that positive corporate earnings, dividend declarations, and macroeconomic reforms could continue to support the current momentum. However, investors are advised to remain cautious and focus on fundamentally strong companies, especially as Nigeria navigates inflationary pressures and currency volatility.
As the NGX continues to reflect investor sentiment, market watchers expect further market movements to be driven by upcoming corporate results and policy decisions from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The performance of large-cap stocks like BUA Cement, GTCO, and UBA will also play a major role in shaping the direction of the market in the coming weeks.
