NGX Market Wrap 23 Oct 2026 | ASI Down 0.46%

The NGX closed in the red on Friday, with the All-Share Index shedding 45.46 points to settle at 244,190.39 points. The 0.46% decline signals investor caution despite a robust transaction volume of 568.7 million shares worth ₦17.7 billion across 31,888 deals.

Selling pressure dominated the session, with the losers list weighing heavily on sentiment. LIVESTOCK emerged as the day's worst performer, plummeting 9.79% (down ₦1.85) to ₦17.05 after commanding 46.3 million shares in turnover. The agricultural stock's sharp decline indicates sector-specific weakness or profit-taking. HBMNG followed suit, falling 7.65% (down ₦29.00) to ₦350.00, while UPDCREIT dropped 8.14% (down ₦1.55) to ₦17.50, suggesting renewed caution in the financial services space. NEIMETH and TRIPPLEG also registered meaningful losses.

However, pockets of strength emerged. GUINEAINS led gainers with a 9.41% rally (up ₦0.08) to ₦0.93, while FIRSTHOLDCO surged 6.87% (up ₦9.00) to ₦140.00, demonstrating selective buying in specific counters. CORNERST, UPDC, and WEMABANK added modest gains ranging from 3.45% to 4.35%, suggesting investors rotated into relatively stable positions.

The most-traded list, topped by MULTITREX with 246.8 million shares, reflects elevated activity but lopsided by volume concentration. Market capitalisation stood at ₦158.6 trillion.

Investors should monitor whether Friday's selloff extends into next week or if support levels hold at key price points.