The Nigerian equities market has climbed to a remarkable 60.49% year-to-date return as of 26 May 2026, with the All-Share Index recording a market capitalization of N160.09 trillion.
Backed by trading volume of over 87 billion shares, the market has already outperformed the entire first-half return of 16.57% recorded in H1 2025, despite June still being underway.
The rally highlights growing investor confidence, reflected not only in rising prices but also in stronger market activity, as the Exchange edges closer to the 64.51% half-year performance achieved in 2020.
Sector performance has been led by NGX Industrial Goods at 115.84%, NGX Oil and Gas at 114.23%, and NGX Banking at 56.64%, supported by Consumer Goods at 23.98% and the Insurance sector at 3.81%.
The broader market rally has largely been driven by heavyweight large-cap stocks, whose strong price appreciation and liquidity have continued to lift the Nigerian Exchange to record levels.
Meanwhile, the Exchange’s top 10 best-performing stocks are dominated by high-flying mid-cap and small-cap companies, reflecting strong investor appetite for growth and momentum-driven counters.
Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc ranks 10th among the Nigerian Exchange’s best-performing stocks, delivering a year-to-date return of 187% as of 26 May 2026, with shares priced at N5.45.
The stock opened the year at N1.90 per unit and has traded over 908 million shares, with January driving momentum as it surged 394% in the month to a peak of N9.40.
The sharp rally followed the company’s memorandum of understanding with Banklink Africa Equity Fund II, which committed N1.0 billion to finance minerals and metals projects across Africa through Deap Capital.
Despite the January surge, sustained declines between February and April dragged the stock to N4.19, although renewed buying interest in May lifted the price back above N5.00.
Union Dicon Salt (UNIONDICON) is positioned at number 7 with a year-to-date return of 244%, its shares trading at N12.15 as of May 26, 2026.
Berger Paints (BERGER) secured the 8th spot with a year-to-date return of 208%, with its stock priced at N15.00.
Red Star Express (REDSTAREX) is ranked 3rd, achieving a year-to-date return of 291% and trading at N7.25.
R T Briscoe (RTBRISCOE) follows at 4th place with a 289% year-to-date return, its shares valued at N4.10.
Fortis Global Insurance (FTGINSURE) leads the pack as the top performer with a 400% year-to-date return, its stock trading at N3.50.
