The Nigerian All-Share Index closed higher at the end of trading on 19 May 2026, gaining 1,324.1 points to settle at 251,635.4, snapping a four-session losing streak, supported by gains in BUA Cement and large-cap banking stocks.
The rally represents a 0.53% increase from the previous close of 250,204.8 points, while trading volume jumped to 703.9 million shares from 528 million shares recorded in the prior session.
Reflecting the bullish momentum, market capitalization advanced to N161.2 trillion on 64,539 deals, compared to N160.36 trillion recorded a day earlier.
Leading market activity, Access Holdings emerged as the most traded stock by volume with 88.4 million shares exchanged, while Zenith Bank led the value chart with trades worth N3.9 billion.
What the data is saying
Trading sentiment turned positive on 19 May 2026, with the Nigerian market extending its strong performance as the year-to-date return advanced to 61.71%, up from 60.79% recorded in the previous session.
- On the gainers’ chart, FTN Cocoa and Zichis Agro-Allied led the rally after appreciating by 10.00% and 9.97%, respectively.
- However, bearish pressure persisted in parts of the market, with Unilever Nigeria and Trans-Nationwide Express topping the losers’ chart after declining by 10.00% and 9.92%, respectively.
In terms of trading activity, Access Holdings led the volume chart with 88.4 million shares traded, followed by Linkage Assurance at 46.2 million units and Sterling Financial Holdings Company with 44.9 million units exchanged.
Secure Electronic Technology recorded a turnover of 35.03 million shares, while Zenith Bank followed 30.3 million shares, highlighting sustained participation in tier-one banking stocks.
On the value chart, Zenith Bank led with transactions worth N3.9 billion, ahead of Aradel Holdings at N3.3 billion.
MTN Nigeria, Access Holdings, and Guaranty Trust Holding also posted strong value trades of N3.1 billion, N2.2 billion, and N1.9 billion, respectively.
Top 5 Gainers
- FTN Cocoa — up 10.00% to N9.79
- Zichis — up 9.97% to N29.13
- Sky Aviation — up 9.79% to N156.95
- Caverton — up 9.76% to N6.75
- Japaul Gold — up 9.73% to N3.72
Top 5 Losers
- Unilever — down 10.00% to N153.00
- Transnational Nationwide Express — down 9.92% to N6.99
- Sovereign Trust Insurance — down 9.81% to N2.39
- McNichols — down 9.26% to N7.25
- Austin Laz — down 7.28% to N4.20
SWOOTs performance
Among stocks worth over one trillion naira (SWOOTs), performance was largely mixed as BUA Cement advanced by 5.75% to emerge as one of the strongest performers within the category.
On the downside, Nigerian Breweries declined by 2.33%, while Wema Bank shed 0.61% amid mild profit-taking activity.
FUGAZ performance
Within the FUGAZ banking group, sentiment remained broadly positive as First HoldCo advanced by 3.77%, while United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank gained 2.74% and 1.50%, respectively.
On the downside, Access Holdings declined by 1.17%, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company slipped 0.55%.
What you should know
- The NGX Industrial Goods Index gained 2.27%, while the NGX Banking Index advanced by 0.98%.
- NGX Insurance Index fell 1.64%, the NGX Oil and Gas Index slipped 0.32%, and the NGX Consumer Goods Index declined by 0.93%.
- A break above the 252,400-point resistance zone on the All-Share Index could signal a full resurgence in bullish activity.
