Stock market records N440bn loss as profit-taking rises

The Nigerian stock market extended its bearish rally on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as investors lost N440 billion, driven by continued profit-taking in large and mid-cap stocks.

The market capitalisation declined by 0.30 per cent, or N440 billion, opening at N155.417 trillion and closing at N154.977 trillion.

The All-Share Index also appreciated by 712.67 points, or 0.30 per cent, to close at 240,037.80, up from 240,750.47.

This led the Year-to-Date return to 54.25 per cent while the market breadth closed negatively as well, recording 29 losers and 14 gainers.

International Energy Insurance led the losers’ chart by 9.85 per cent, ending the session at N4.30, WAPIC trailed by 9.84 per cent, finishing at N2.30, while Fortis Global Insurance declined by 9.76 per cent, closing at N1.85 per share.

AVA Capital dipped by 7.89 per cent, settling at N7, and Zichis Agro Allied Industries shed by 7.36 per cent, closing at N17 per share.

On the gainers’ chart, Haldane McCall led by 9.38 per cent, finishing at N3.85, Trans-Nationwide Express followed by 8 90 per cent, settling at N3 06, while Mc Nicholas grew by 8.33 per cent, closing at N5.20 per share.

Cutix increased by 2.56 per cent, ending the session at N2.40, and Veritas Kapital Assurance advanced by 1.52 per cent, closing at N1.34 per share.

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The stock market traded 2.87 billion shares worth N33.99 billion in 34,725 transactions.

This is compared to 1.19 billion shares valued at N37.82 billion exchanged across 34,546 deals on Wednesday.

Analysis of the market revealed strengthened activity, with total volume traded rising by 140.65 per cent.

Fortis Global Insurance led trading volume with 2.56 billion shares, accounting for 88.98 per cent of the day’s total volume.

Aradel recorded the highest value traded at N6.23 billion, representing 18.32 per cent of the total value.