The Nigerian equities market wrapped up the first quarter of 2026 in the green, rising 29.35% with total trading volume exceeding 52 billion shares, reflecting strong investor participation.
Tracked by the All-Share Index, the market surged 45,674.8 points, climbing from an opening of 155,612.9 to close at 201,287.8, comfortably surpassing the 200,000-point milestone for the first time.
This marked the best quarterly performance since Q1 2024, when the market returned 39.8%, and represented a six-quarter winning streak after a red Q3 2024.
A closer look shows all three months in Q1 2026 ended positively, with February posting the strongest performance at 16.60%, making it the standout month for the quarter.
Although March’s 4.39% return was the lowest in the quarter, it demonstrated resilience, considering trading activity declined to just over 15 billion shares compared to over 21 billion in February.
Here are the top 10 stocks that led the performance table in Q1 2026, with Zichis Agro Allied excluded due to its mid-quarter listing and temporary trading suspension.
Red Star Express finished Q1 2026 as the 4th top performer, soaring 223.56% with over 49 million units traded, closing the quarter at N28.15.
- The courier and logistics company started the quarter at N8.70, surpassing N20 for the first time, in January 2026.
- By February, the stock gained over 53% to reach N31.95, before easing back to N28.15 in March.
Investor interest was likely driven by the company’s earnings outlook for January to March 2026, projecting sales of N7.7 billion, up from N6.1 billion in the same period of 2025.
Red Star Express currently holds a market capitalization of N26.8 billion and remains at N28.15 in April, with no change month-to-date.
