Equities Market Slips 0.58%

The Nigerian equities market closed lower on 5 May 2026, shedding 1,411.37 points to settle at 241,750.15, a 0.58% decline from the previous close, as selling pressure hit large-cap stocks including Wema Bank, MTN, and Aradel.

Despite the bearish close, trading activity improved, with total volume rising to 1.2 billion shares, up from 967.4 million in the prior session. Market capitalisation slipped to ₦155.1tn from ₦156.05tn.

The year-to-date return eased slightly to 55.4%, down from 56% the previous day, snapping a four-session winning streak that had persisted since 28 April.

On the gainers’ chart, RT Briscoe, Vitafoam, McNichols, and Zichis Agro all advanced by 10%, while Chemical and Allied Products rose 9.99%.

The decliners’ chart was led by Guinness (-10%), Union Dicon (-9.82%), AIICO (-9.28%), Wema Bank (-8.72%), and MTN Nigeria (-8.63%).

Among trillion-naira stocks (SWOOTs), sentiment skewed negative, with Wema Bank, MTN Nigeria, Aradel, and Lafarge all posting losses. On the positive side, Dangote Sugar (+9.98%) and Dangote Cement (+7.22%) lifted the industrial sector.

Within the FUGAZ banking group, all five names—First HoldCo, Access Holdings, UBA, Zenith Bank, and GTCO—closed lower, reflecting profit-taking across tier-one lenders.

Sectoral performance was mixed: the Banking Index fell 1.22% and Oil & Gas dropped 2.91%, while Industrial (+2.49%), Consumer Goods (+0.40%), and Insurance (+0.94%) indices posted gains.