NGX Market Wrap 24-Aug-2026 | Plus234Feed
The Nigerian Exchange closed at 239,054.98 points with mixed performance across sectors, as insurance and consumer stocks rallied while pharmaceutical and financial services names retreated. Market turnover remained solid with ₦21.8 billion in traded value across 627.3 million shares.
The NGX painted a mixed picture on Monday, with broad-based gainers offset by notable losses in heavyweight sectors. The ASI settled at 239,054.98 points, reflecting cautious investor sentiment despite healthy transaction volumes.
Insurance stocks dominated the gainers' list, with SUNUASSUR surging 10.00% to ₦3.30 and UPL climbing 9.38% to ₦5.25, suggesting renewed confidence in the sector. HMCALL followed with a 3.90% gain to ₦4.00. Banking giant ACCESSCORP added ₦0.50 to close at ₦27.50 (+1.85%), and AFRIPRUD gained ₦0.30 to ₦11.60 (+2.65%), indicating selective strength in blue-chip financials.
However, pharmaceutical and industrial stocks faced headwinds. NEIMETH fell sharply, declining ₦0.75 to ₦7.25 (-9.38%), while INTENEGINS dropped 9.82% to ₦3.49. Consumer staples also weakened, with HONYFLOUR shedding ₦1.40 to ₦16.10 (-8.00%). Most concerning was LOTUSHAL15's 9.96% plunge to ₦115.25, losing ₦12.75 in absolute terms. VFDGROUP declined ₦0.85 to ₦11.15 (-7.08%), adding to sector pressure.
Volume leadership came from FTGINSURE (205.5 million shares), UBA (88.9 million), and FIRSTHOLDCO (60.5 million), demonstrating institutional activity in core holdings. Total market capitalisation stood at ₦154.4 trillion across 44,675 deals.
The divergence between insurance strength and pharmaceutical weakness suggests sector rotation rather than broad bullish conviction.
