The Nigerian equities market staged a recovery on Friday, June 6, 2026, ending a four-session losing streak as increased buying interest in insurance and banking stocks pushed the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index higher by 0.15 per cent to close at 242,593.31 points. The positive performance added N234.73 billion to investors’ wealth.

Nairametrics reported that trading data from the Nigerian Exchange Group showed that market capitalisation increased to N155.59 trillion from N155.36 trillion recorded in the previous trading session. The market’s year-to-date return also improved to 55.90 per cent from 55.66 per cent.

The rebound was driven by gains across most sectoral indices, particularly insurance and banking stocks, as investors returned to selected counters after four consecutive days of profit-taking that wiped out more than N5 trillion from market value.

Investor sentiment strengthened considerably during the trading session, with advancing stocks overwhelmingly outnumbering decliners as bargain hunters took positions in insurance, banking and industrial goods counters.

Key market indicators showed the All-Share Index closed at 242,593.31 points, representing a 0.15 per cent increase. Market capitalisation rose by N234.73 billion to N155.59 trillion.

Trading volume climbed by 3.40 per cent to 608.49 million shares, while the total value of transactions rose by 14.90 per cent to N32.03 billion. The number of deals executed stood at 53,826, reflecting a decline of 6.15 per cent. The year-to-date return settled at 55.90 per cent.

Sectoral performance was largely positive, with the Insurance Index emerging as the best performer after advancing by 1.14 per cent. The Banking Index followed with a gain of 0.90 per cent, while the Industrial Goods Index rose by 0.46 per cent. The Consumer Goods Index appreciated marginally by 0.06 per cent, and the Oil and Gas Index recorded a slight increase of 0.01 per cent. The Commodity Index closed unchanged.

Among the top-performing stocks, International Energy Insurance led the gainers’ chart with a 9.96 per cent increase. Consolidated Hallmark Holdings followed with a 9.92 per cent gain, while The Initiates Plc advanced by 9.86 per cent. R.T. Briscoe appreciated by 9.16 per cent and Ikeja Hotel gained 8.71 per cent.

On the losers’ chart, BUA Cement recorded the steepest decline after shedding 10.00 per cent. Trans-Nationwide Express fell by 9.85 per cent, while John Holt Plc dropped by 9.73 per cent. Red Star Express lost 9.71 per cent and Deap Capital Management declined by 9.15 per cent.

The insurance sector stood out as the strongest-performing segment of the market, posting a 1.14 per cent gain as investors increased their holdings in International Energy Insurance, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Sovereign Trust Insurance and other insurance stocks.

Banking stocks also played a major role in the market’s recovery, with the Banking Index rising by 0.90 per cent on the back of renewed investor interest in selected tier-one and mid-tier lenders following the recent market correction.

Market breadth improved significantly, with 39 gainers compared to 11 losers. The development marked a substantial turnaround from the weak sentiment that characterised trading earlier in the week when declining stocks consistently outnumbered advancing equities.

Trading activity strengthened as total volume traded rose by 3.40 per cent to 608.49 million shares, while turnover increased by 14.90 per cent to N32.03 billion, reflecting stronger participation from both institutional and retail investors.

Despite the broad-based recovery, some heavyweight stocks remained under pressure. BUA Cement topped the losers’ chart after falling by the maximum allowable daily limit of 10.00 per cent. Trans-Nationwide Express, John Holt and Red Star Express also posted notable losses during the session.

The Oil and Gas Index recorded only a modest gain of 0.01 per cent, indicating that selling pressure within the sector may be easing after Thursday’s sharp 4.90 per cent decline caused by selloffs in Aradel Holdings and Eterna.

Friday’s recovery represented the first positive trading session since the implementation of the T+1 settlement regime at the beginning of June.

The N234.73 billion gain helped offset part of the more than N5.14 trillion wiped off the market during the previous four trading sessions.

Although the market recovered, the NGX remains below its record high of 252,508 points achieved on May 13, 2026. Nevertheless, its year-to-date return of 55.90 per cent continues to rank among the strongest performances recorded by major global equity markets in 2026.

Market analysts had anticipated a rebound, noting that the recent wave of profit-taking appeared to have reached its bottom. The improved market breadth and renewed buying interest observed on Friday provided support for that expectation.

As trading resumes next week, investors are expected to monitor whether Friday’s recovery marks the beginning of a broader market rebound or simply represents a temporary interruption in the ongoing correction cycle.