The Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded a market value gain of N479bn at the close of trading on Thursday, August 7, 2025. This impressive growth was driven largely by strong performances in the insurance and consumer goods sectors, which attracted increased investor interest and boosted overall market confidence.

At the end of the trading session, a total of 1.98 billion shares were exchanged in 35,282 deals, representing a 16 per cent increase in trading volume compared with the previous day. However, turnover declined by 10 per cent to N27 bn, reflecting a shift in the value of traded stocks amid a more active market.

The benchmark All-Share Index gained 756.83 points, equivalent to a 0.52 per cent increase, closing at 146,570.69. This rise extended the market’s weekly gain to 4.8 per cent and its year-to-date gain to an impressive 42.4 per cent. Other key indices also posted gains, with the NGX Insurance Index surging 8.76 per cent and the NGX Consumer Goods Index rising by 4.08 per cent.

Insurance companies were among the top performers, with AXA Mansard leading the gainers list with a 10 per cent price increase to close at N13.31 per share. Cornerstone Insurance, AIICO Insurance, and other insurers also recorded a 10 per cent rise, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the sector’s prospects.

The consumer goods sector also contributed significantly to the rally, with companies like Guinness and University Press recording notable price gains of 9.98 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. These gains are attributed to strong fundamentals, improved earnings reports, and positive market sentiment around consumer demand.

On the downside, some stocks experienced losses. Chams Plc led the laggards with a 9.94 per cent decline to close at N2.90, followed by Austin Laz and Caverton Offshore Support Group, which dropped by 9.83 per cent and 9.65 per cent, respectively. UAC of Nigeria also declined by 9.44 per cent, reflecting sector-specific challenges.

In terms of trading volume, Linkage Assurance topped the list with over 372 million shares traded, followed by Prestige Assurance with 249 million shares, Veritas Kapital Assurance with 182 million, and Sterling Bank with 121 million shares exchanged.

The strong performance in insurance and consumer goods stocks was supported by increasing investor appetite for defensive and dividend-yielding stocks amid the current economic conditions. Analysts suggest that renewed confidence in these sectors stems from improved corporate earnings, regulatory support, and growing consumer spending patterns.

The PUNCH reported that President Bola Tinubu has signed the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill into law, marking a landmark overhaul of the country’s insurance sector. The President stated that this reform would play a key role in achieving a $1 tn economy.

According to the National Insurance Commission, the new Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 is expected to boost the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Following the signing, the volume of insurance stocks traded on the Nigerian Exchange Limited surged 299.15 per cent at the close of trading on Wednesday.