Investors lose N577bn as stock market ends 13-day rally

The Nigerian stock market reversed its bullish trend on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, recording a loss of N577 billion after a 13-day consecutive rally.

Selloffs in major stocks such as Skyway Aviation Handling Company, Zenith Bank, Mecure, RT Briscoe, Tripple Gee, and 35 other declining stocks drove the market into negative territory.

The market capitalisation of listed equities dropped by N577 billion, or 0.48 per cent, from N122.129 trillion to close at N121.552 trillion.

The All-Share Index (ASI) also declined by 0.48 per cent, shedding 899.50 points to close at 189,362.94 compared to 190,262.44 on Monday.

This brought the year-to-date return down to 21.66 per cent.

However, the market breadth closed positive, recording 44 gainers and 40 losers.

ABC Transport led the gainers’ table by 9.94 per cent, settling at N9.07, Zichis trailed by 9.93 per cent, closing at N13 06, while Red Star Express increased by 9.87 per cent, ending the session at N29.50 per share.

Meyer rose by 9.81 per cent, finishing at N22.95, while Japaul Gold soared by 9.78 per year, closing at N3.03 per share.

Ghost workers face March salary cut as FG concludes civil service audit

Conversely, Skyway Aviation Handling Company, Mecure, and Zenith Bank led the losers’ table by 10 per cent each, settling at N117, N93.60, and N80.55 per share, respectively.

RT Briscoe lost by 9.95 per cent, finishing at N14.12, while Tripple Gee shed by 9.77 per cent, closing at N6 per share.

An evaluation of the market activity revealed a 12 per cent growth in volume, 34 per cent increase in deals but six per cent decline in value.

1.2 billion shares worth N60.2 billion were exchanged across 86,607 transactions, compared to 1.1 billion shares valued at N64.02 billion traded in 64,821 deals on Monday.

Access Corporation recorded the highest volume with 103.49 million shares traded, accounting for 8.62 per cent of the day’s total volume.

Zenith Bank recorded the highest value traded at N8.01 billion, accounting for 13.30 per cent of the total value traded for the day.

The Star