NGX Market Wrap May 22, 2026 | Plus234Feed
The Nigerian Exchange closed at 249,540.75 points with mixed sentiment as five top gainers—led by ALEX's 10% rally—competed against notable losers including TRANSEXPR and CORNERST. Trading activity remained robust with ₦24.7 billion in value exchanged across 610.8 million shares.
The NGX delivered a split verdict on Friday, 22 May 2026, with selective strength in smaller-cap stocks offsetting weakness in mid-tier equities. The index closed at 249,540.75 points, supported by spirited rallies in five top gainers that failed to reverse broader selling momentum.
Small-cap recovery drove the gainers' list. ALEX led with a 10% surge, adding ₦0.90 to settle at ₦9.90, while RTBRISCOE climbed 9.93% (₦1.27 gain to ₦14.06) and LEARNAFRCA rose 9.79% (₦1.15 to ₦12.90). These moves suggest retail interest in lower-priced equities, a pattern common when large-cap sentiment wavers. DAARCOMM and ACADEMY followed with respective gains of 9.47% and 8.28%.
Conversely, mid-cap and established counters faced headwinds. TRANSEXPR led losers with a 9.92% decline (₦0.63 drop to ₦5.72), while CORNERST fell 9.24% (₦0.55 to ₦5.40). TIP's steeper 7.97% loss (₦2.95 to ₦34.05) signalled sector-specific pressure, though specific catalysts remain unclear from price action alone.
Volume concentration in FIDELITYBK (192.8 million shares) and ACCESSCORP (58.3 million shares) indicates institutional positioning in blue-chips despite limited directional conviction. Total market capitalisation stood at ₦159.97 trillion across 57,363 deals.
Retail investors should monitor whether next session's opening reverses Friday's small-cap outperformance or signals a sustained rotation toward speculative positions.
