Monday, July 20, 2026

Investors lose N888 billion as stocks dip  ahead of Eid-el-Kabir

The downturn was driven by profit-taking in selected large-cap and mid-cap stocks.

• May 26, 2026
Nigerian Exchange
Nigerian Exchange [Photo Creadit: Business Live Nigeria]

After three consecutive sessions of gains, the Nigerian stock market reversed its winning streak on Tuesday as investors lost N888 billion ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir break.

Market capitalisation declined by 0.55 per cent, dropping from N160.982 trillion to N160.094 trillion, representing a loss of N889 billion.

Similarly, the All-Share Index fell by 1,386.18 points, or 0.55 per cent, to close at 249,738.84 against 251,125.02 recorded on Monday.

The downturn was driven by profit-taking in selected large-cap and mid-cap stocks, which surpassed buying interest in the market.

The Year-to-Date (YTD) return dropped to 60.49 per cent while the market breadth closed negatively as well, recording 38 losers against 19 gainers.

Dangote Sugar led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, ending the session at N78.30, Transcorp Power followed by 9.97 per cent, closing at N245.50 while The Initiates shed by 9.85 per cent, settling at N27.45 per share.

Also, Abbey Mortgage Bank dipped by 9.49 per cent, finishing at N6.20 and Fidelity Bank fell by 9.05 per cent, closing at N21.60 per share.

Conversely, FG212035S1 led the gainers’ chart by 10.49 per cent, settling at N124.86, Mc Nichols and Austinlaz trailed by 10 per cent each, finishing at N7.92 and N4.40 per share respectively.

Similarly, International Energy Insurance gained by 9.89 per cent, closing at N4.11 and Learn Africa grew by 9.44 per cent, ending the session at N12.75 per share.

Market activity declined for the day as total traded volume dropped by 10.38 per cent to 564.07 million shares worth N27.22 billion exchanged in 65,666 transactions.

Access Corporation led the volume chart with 80.61 million shares traded, representing 14.29 per cent of the day’s total volume.

Zenith Bank topped the value chart with transactions worth N4.47 billion, accounting for 16.41 per cent of the total value traded.

 (NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Portable and TerryG

Showbiz

Portable challenges Terry G to boxing match

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has challenged veteran artiste Terry G to a boxing match, saying the bout would revive Terry G’s career.

Southern Water

Economy

UK govt fines Southern Water £7 million for sewage pollution

The prosecution came almost exactly five years after Southern Water received a record £90 million fine for nearly 7,000 illegal sewage discharges.

Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch

World

Andy Burnham is people pleaser, doesn’t want scrutiny: Kemi Badenoch

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described the prospective prime minister as a “people pleaser”.

UNICAL students

Education

UniCal reaffirms ban on wild post-exam celebrations, warns students

The University of Calabar has reiterated its ban on wild post-examination celebrations and other acts that could disrupt peace on campus.

Nigerian Governors Forum

Politics

Governors urged to embrace non-custodial prison sentences

Mr Enobore, a former spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service, gave the charge in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Nigeria map and police officers

Opinion

Some foundational arguments on state police (Part Deux)

What kind of police federalism does Nigeria need?