NGX turnover hits N158.29bn ahead Q3 earnings

Trading activity on Nigerian Exchange Limited recorded an increase in value during the first full trading week of October, with total equity turnover rising to N158.29bn from N155.02bn in the preceding week. The market also closed Friday’s session on a positive note, recovering some ground after four consecutive sessions of losses, as investors began positioning ahead of the

third-quarter earnings season.

The number of deals increased by 1.61% to 209,986 from 206,662, while trading volume stood at 2.715 billion shares, compared with 3.166 billion shares in the previous week. The increase in turnover value, despite lower trading volume, reflected a shift in the composition of transactions during the period.

The NGX All-Share Index declined by 0.97 per cent week-on-week to close at 248,363.55 points, while equities market capitalisation settled at N161.26tn.

Despite the moderation, the benchmark index maintained a year-to-date return of 59.60%, reflecting the gains recorded since the beginning of 2026.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 2.005 billion shares valued at N82.924bn across 94,483 deals, accounting for 73.84 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 52.39 per cent of turnover value.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 152.345 million shares worth N11.425 billion in

20,926 deals, while the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry recorded

117.296 million shares valued at N15.256 bn across 22,556 deals.

Access Holdings Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc emerged as the three most actively traded equities by volume, collectively accounting for 1.020 billion shares valued at n50.520bn in 29,382 deals. The three stocks contributed 37.56 per cent of total equity turnover volume and 31.92 per cent of turnover value.

Activity in the Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) segment also strengthened, with transaction value increasing by 81.16 per cent to N687.314m from N379.449m in the previous week. Units traded rose to 1.831 million from 1.684 million, while the number of deals increased to 5,413 from 4,327.The bond market recorded a similar improvement, with 144,034 units valued at N146.416m traded during the week, compared with 81,063 units worth N85.606m previously. This represented a 71.03 per cent increase in transaction value, while the number of deals remained unchanged at 48.

Market breadth reflected the week’s price adjustments, with 24 equities appreciating, compared with 44 in the previous week. Fifty-four equities declined, up from 37, while 68 remained unchanged.

Among the gainers, Livestock Feeds Plc led with a 47.75 per cent increase, followed by Tripple Gee and Company Plc at 32.62 per cent and Guinea Insurance Plc at 29.17 per cent. Learn Africa Plc and Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc also advanced by 19.61 per cent and 16.67 per cent, respectively.

Sectoral performance was largely negative, although the NGX Industrial Goods Index recorded a marginal gain of 0.02 per cent. On a year-to-date basis, several indices remained firmly in positive territory, including the NGX Oil and Gas Index at 124.92 per cent, the NGX Premium Index at 102.66 per cent and the NGX Industrial Goods Index at 83.96 per cent.

Commenting on the market’s performance, Mobifoluwa Adesina, Research Analyst at CSL Stockbrokers Limited, attributed the week’s decline partly to profit-taking following September’s gains, while anticipating renewed buying interest as investors position ahead of corporate earnings announcements.

“The market witnessed some profit-taking during the week as investors locked in gains from September. However, we expect buying interest to continue as investors begin positioning ahead of third-quarter earnings releases across the broader market and half-year financial results from banks yet to report,” Abu said.

The week also saw new securities admitted to the Exchange, including Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bonds issued in September 2026 and the supplementary listing of 6.307 billion ordinary shares of Guinea Insurance Plc.

With the market’s positive close on Friday, alongside increased equity turnover value and stronger activity in ETPs and bonds, provided encouraging developments following a week of price corrections. With the benchmark index retaining substantial year-to-date gains, attention is expected to turn to corporate earnings releases and their potential influence on investor positioning in the coming weeks.

Source:https://punchng.com/ngx-turnover-hits-n158-29bn-ahead-q3-earnings/