The Nigerian All-Share Index (ASI) concluded trading on December 19, 2025, with a significant upward movement, gaining 1,694.4 points to close at 152,057.4. This robust performance represented a 1.13% increase from the previous day’s close of 150,363.1 points, largely driven by a strong rally in heavyweight stocks, most notably BUA Foods and BUA Cement, which bolstered investor confidence across the market.

The impressive daily gain pushed the overall equity capitalization closer to the N97 trillion mark, settling at N96.9 trillion across 25,667 executed deals. This surge reflects a period of heightened optimism among investors, as the market continues its bullish trajectory, achieving a remarkable year-to-date performance of 47.73% even as the trading year draws to a close.

Market activity experienced a notable uptick during the session, with trading volume expanding significantly. A total of 1.5 billion shares were exchanged, marking a substantial increase from the 839 million shares traded in the preceding session. This surge in liquidity underscores renewed investor engagement and a broader participation across various sectors of the Nigerian Exchange.

Individual stock performances contributed markedly to the day’s positive outcome. UNIONDICON led the list of top gainers, experiencing a 10.00% appreciation to close at N6.60 per share. Following closely, AUSTINLAZ also recorded an impressive 10.00% rise, with its share price reaching N2.42. Other significant advancers included TANTALIZER, ALEX, and CHAMPION, solidifying the day’s bullish sentiment.

Conversely, some stocks faced downward pressure, reflecting the usual market dynamics. SOVRENINS topped the list of decliners, shedding 7.42% to settle at N3.87. ROYALEX also experienced a notable dip, falling by 6.84% to N1.77. OMATEK, EUNISELL, and ETERNA were among other companies that saw their share prices decrease during the trading session.

In terms of trading volume, NEIMETH dominated market activity, with an extraordinary 500.9 million shares changing hands. STERLINGNG followed with 278.7 million shares, while CHAMPION recorded 145.2 million shares traded. FCMB and TANTALIZER also featured prominently among the most active stocks by volume, indicating intense investor interest in these particular equities.

When evaluated by trading value, NEIMETH again led the pack, accounting for N3.0 billion worth of transactions. CHAMPION secured the second spot with N2.5 billion in traded value, demonstrating strong institutional and retail engagement. FIRSTHOLDCO, STERLINGNG, and GTCO also registered substantial trading values, each contributing billions to the day’s total turnover.

The performance of key market segments provided further insight into the day’s movements. Among the Stocks Worth Over One Trillion (SWOOTs), BUA Foods experienced a healthy gain of 6.02%, while BUA Cement rose by 4.94%, underpinning their role as market drivers. In contrast, Dangote Cement, another major player, registered a modest decline of 0.8%.

The FUGAZ group, comprising leading financial institutions, showed mixed results. FIRSTHOLDCO posted a gain of 5.39%, indicating positive sentiment towards some banking stocks. However, GTCO closed flat, while UBA recorded a loss of 3.85%. ACCESSCORP fell by 2.15%, and ZENITH BANK experienced a slight dip of 0.31%, reflecting a varied outlook within the banking sector.

Looking ahead, market analysts suggest that the All-Share Index’s successful breach of the 152,000-point threshold could reinforce bullish sentiment in the short term. Improved investor participation and sustained positive momentum may potentially propel the market further, with some projections indicating a push towards the 155,000 level in upcoming trading sessions, signalling continued confidence in the Nigerian equities market.

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Keywords: Nigerian Stock Market, All-Share Index, BUA Foods, BUA Cement, Stock Market Performance, Market Capitalization, Equities Trading, Nigerian Exchange