Nigerian Stock Market Gains ₦479bn on Strong Insurance, Consumer Goods Rally

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed Thursday, August 7, 2025, on a bullish note, adding ₦479 billion in market capitalisation. The surge was powered mainly by robust performances in the insurance and consumer goods sectors, which drew heightened investor interest and lifted market sentiment.

Trading activity was brisk, with 1.98 billion shares changing hands in 35,282 deals — up 16 per cent in volume compared to the previous session. Despite this, total turnover slipped 10 per cent to ₦27 billion, suggesting a shift in the mix of traded equities.

The NGX All-Share Index advanced by 756.83 points (0.52 per cent) to close at 146,570.69. This pushed the market’s weekly gain to 4.8 per cent and its year-to-date growth to an impressive 42.4 per cent. Sector indices also reflected the upbeat mood: the NGX Insurance Index soared 8.76 per cent, while the NGX Consumer Goods Index climbed 4.08 per cent.

Insurance Sector Leads Gains

Insurance firms dominated the leaderboard, with AXA Mansard’s share price jumping 10 per cent to ₦13.31. Cornerstone Insurance, AIICO Insurance, and other players also rose by the maximum 10 per cent daily limit. Analysts link the rally to renewed optimism in the sector following improved earnings and supportive policies.

Consumer Goods Stocks Also Shine

The consumer goods segment added significant weight to the rally. Guinness Nigeria gained 9.98 per cent, while University Press advanced by 10 per cent, buoyed by solid financial results and sustained consumer demand.

Decliners and Trading Leaders

On the flip side, Chams Plc fell 9.94 per cent to ₦2.90, with Austin Laz and Caverton Offshore Support Group down 9.83 per cent and 9.65 per cent, respectively. UAC of Nigeria shed 9.44 per cent amid sector-specific headwinds.

In terms of activity, Linkage Assurance led the volume chart with over 372 million shares traded. Prestige Assurance followed with 249 million shares, then Veritas Kapital Assurance (182 million) and Sterling Bank (121 million).

Policy Reform Boosts Insurance Stocks

Market watchers say appetite for dividend-paying and defensive stocks is growing, particularly in insurance and consumer goods, as investors respond to economic realities. This momentum was further fuelled by President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill into law — a landmark overhaul aimed at increasing the sector’s contribution to GDP and supporting the target of a $1 trillion economy.

Data from the National Insurance Commission show that following the bill’s signing, the volume of insurance shares traded on the NGX jumped by 299.15 per cent on Wednesday, underscoring strong investor confidence in the sector’s growth prospects.