On September 1, 2025, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reported a notable downturn in the stock market for the week ending August 29, 2025. Investors saw a total loss of N439 billion in market value, as ongoing negative trends pulled down key indicators. This decline reflects broader economic worries that have made traders more careful in their decisions.
The overall market capitalization fell by 0.49 percent, closing at N88.769 trillion compared to N89.208 trillion at the end of the prior week, which concluded on August 22, 2025. In a similar pattern, the All-Share Index, a main measure of market health, dropped by 0.50 percent to 140,295.50 points from 141,002.76 points the week before. These drops highlight how profit-taking, where investors sell shares to lock in gains, has been a big factor in the market’s weakness lately.
Trading activity also slowed down during this period. A total of 3.199 billion shares changed hands, valued at N85.399 billion across 142,477 deals. This was lower than the previous week’s figures of 4.773 billion shares worth N107.426 billion in 152,965 deals.
The financial services sector was the busiest, making up about 68.61 percent of the traded volume and 49.99 percent of the value. It involved 2.195 billion shares worth N42.689 billion in 66,808 deals. Next came the consumer goods sector with 277.881 million shares valued at N9.910 billion in 15,518 deals, followed by the services sector at 178.992 million shares for N1.308 billion in 7,580 deals.
Among individual stocks, FCMB Group Plc, Champion Breweries Plc, and Access Holdings Plc were the most active by volume. Together, they accounted for 778.603 million shares worth N13.155 billion in 11,288 deals, representing 24.34 percent of total volume and 15.40 percent of value.
In other areas of the market, exchange-traded products saw 202,506 units traded for N23.784 million in 390 deals, down from 396,920 units the week before. Bond trading picked up slightly, with 80,523 units worth N74.045 million in 32 deals, compared to 58,537 units previously.
Looking at price movements, only 32 stocks gained value, fewer than the 43 from the prior week. Meanwhile, 57 stocks lost ground, up from 54, and 57 stayed the same, more than the previous 49. Top performers included McNichols Plc, which rose 18.75 percent from N3.20 to N3.80 per share.
NEM Insurance Plc gained 17.29 percent, closing at N31.20 from N26.60. Berger Paints Plc increased by 15.31 percent to N36.90 from N32.00. Other strong gainers were Coronation Insurance Plc (up 12.77 percent), Learn Africa Plc (11.43 percent), NCR Nigeria Plc (10 percent), SFS Real Estate Investment Trust (9.99 percent), Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (9.93 percent), SCOA Nigeria Plc (9.09 percent), and Beta Glass Plc (8.16 percent).
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On the losing side, Secure Electronic Technology Plc fell hardest at 22.73 percent, dropping from N1.10 to N0.85 per share. Guinea Insurance Plc declined 19.77 percent to N1.42 from N1.77. Lasaco Assurance Plc lost 13.29 percent to N3.00 from N3.46. Additional notable decliners included University Press Plc (down 12.06 percent), Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc (11.36 percent), Royal Exchange Plc (11.11 percent), Cornerstone Insurance Plc (10 percent), John Holt Plc (10 percent), Daar Communications Plc (9.92 percent), and Associated Bus Company Plc (9.80 percent).
Experts point to increased selling for quick profits and ongoing economic issues as reasons for the dip. They suggest investors look for solid companies with strong basics to buy during this low period. The week also saw new additions to the market, like more units in funds such as Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund and Coronation Infrastructure Fund, plus rights issues for Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc and new government bonds.
This market slide comes amid wider concerns in Nigeria’s economy, including inflation and currency fluctuations, which may keep influencing trading in the coming weeks. Investors are advised to stay informed and trade carefully.
