LAGOS: Despite a downturn in market performance, select equities record impressive gains, attracting investor attention ahead of a new trading week.
Nigeria Stock Market ended last week on a bearish note as investors recorded losses amounting to N1.4 trillion, bringing an end to the sustained bullish momentum witnessed in previous weeks.
Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed that total equity capitalisation declined to N123.7 trillion, down from N125.1 trillion recorded in the preceding week. Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 1.11 per cent, closing at 192,826.78 points, compared to 194,989.77 points posted earlier.
Despite the overall market slowdown, a number of equities demonstrated notable resilience, with Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, and Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc emerging among the top-performing stocks and positioning themselves as key equities to monitor in the new trading week.
Market analysts, however, cautioned that the stocks highlighted are not investment recommendations, advising investors to consult licensed financial advisers before making trading decisions.
Fortis Global Insurance Plc closed its last trading session at N0.94 per share, reflecting a 9.3 per cent gain from its previous closing price of N0.86.
The insurance firm has delivered one of the strongest performances on the NGX so far in 2026. Beginning the year at N0.20, the stock has surged by an impressive 370 per cent, ranking third in year-to-date performance on the exchange.
Trading activity around the company has also strengthened significantly. Over the past three months, investors traded about 457 million shares valued at approximately N363 million across 1,419 deals, making it the 33rd most traded stock within the period reviewed.
Shares of Okomu Oil Palm Plc closed flat at N1,765.00 per share, maintaining stability after weeks of strong appreciation.
The agribusiness giant opened the year at N1,095.00, representing a 61.2 per cent gain year-to-date and placing it among the better-performing industrial stocks on the NGX.
Investor sentiment remains positive, particularly as the stock recorded a 46 per cent increase within the last four weeks, ranking it the 13th best-performing equity during that period.
Within three months, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc traded 17.9 million shares valued at about N23.1 billion in over 37,800 deals, highlighting sustained institutional and retail investor participation.
Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc also maintained strong momentum, closing at N19.00 per share at the end of trading last week.
The mortgage lender began 2026 at N7.00, translating to a remarkable 171 per cent year-to-date gain, placing it among the top 10 performing stocks on the NGX.
Even more striking is the bank’s 111 per cent appreciation over the last four weeks, ranking it the third-best performing stock during the period.
Trading data shows investors exchanged approximately 9.15 million shares, valued at N113 million, across 1,239 deals within the past three months.
Market watchers expect cautious trading sentiment in the coming sessions as investors reassess portfolio positions amid profit-taking activities and macroeconomic uncertainties.
However, analysts note that fundamentally strong and momentum-driven stocks such as Fortis Global Insurance, Okomu Oil Palm, and Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank could continue attracting investor interest despite broader market volatility.
As always, investors are advised to balance risk exposure with proper financial gain
