NGX: Investors Lose N5.6tn In Deepening Bearish Sentiment

Investors on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) lost approximately ₦5.6 trillion in market value during the week ended June 19, 2026, as sustained sell pressure pushed key market indicators lower despite robust trading activity.

Data from the NGX weekly market report showed that the All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 3.59 per cent to close at 235,941.27 points from 244,738.74 points recorded in the previous week. Consequently, market capitalisation fell to ₦151.327 trillion, reflecting a loss of about ₦5.6 trillion within five trading sessions.

The downturn came amid increased trading activity on the Exchange. Investors traded 3.075 billion shares valued at ₦254.61 billion in 287,157 deals during the week, compared with 4.964 billion shares worth ₦207.52 billion exchanged in 235,966 deals in the preceding week.

The Financial Services sector remained the most active segment of the market, accounting for 2.074 billion shares valued at ₦64.49 billion and representing 67.44 per cent of total trading volume. The Services sector followed with 175.74 million shares worth ₦2.76 billion, while Consumer Goods stocks recorded 133.38 million shares valued at ₦12.68 billion.

Market breadth weakened significantly as only 11 stocks recorded price appreciation during the week, compared with 40 gainers in the previous week. In contrast, 78 equities declined, up from 53 losers a week earlier, while 57 stocks closed unchanged.

Among the biggest gainers, Cornerstone Insurance rose 11.01 per cent to close at ₦6.05 per share, followed by Academy Press, which gained 8.72 per cent. Conoil advanced 8.25 per cent, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals appreciated by 4.68 per cent.

On the losers’ chart, International Energy Insurance led the decline after shedding 28.83 per cent of its market value. First Holdco fell 20.29 per cent, while John Holt lost 17.65 per cent. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Zichis Agro Allied Industries also recorded significant declines of 17.27 per cent and 16.13 per cent, respectively.

Sector performance reflected the prevailing bearish mood across the market. The NGX Banking Index suffered the sharpest decline, dropping 10.49 per cent during the week. The NGX AFR Bank Value Index lost 10.70 per cent, while the NGX Consumer Goods Index fell 1.61 per cent. The NGX Oil and Gas Index was relatively resilient but still declined by 1.06 per cent.

The bond market recorded mixed performance, with 151,573 units valued at ₦160.59 million traded in 34 deals.

In the derivatives market, the NGX announced the listing of NGX30Z6 and NGXPENSIONZ6 futures contracts, both scheduled to expire on December 18, 2026. The Exchange also suspended trading in the shares of Fortis Global Insurance Plc to facilitate the reconciliation process associated with the company’s share reconstruction exercise.

The week’s performance underscores persistent investor caution despite strong transaction values, as concerns over valuations and profit-taking activities continued to weigh on sentiment across the Nigerian equities market.