Nigerian equities close the third quarter in the green

AFRICAN STOCKS AND FINANCEOctober 2, 2023 at 1:06 PM UTC

In the third quarter of 2023, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index witnessed a remarkable surge, soaring by an impressive 29.52% to reach a closing value of 66,382.14 index points. This surge has propelled the market to its highest level in 15 years, igniting robust positive sentiments among investors and stakeholders alike.

Figures from the exchange cited by Nairametrics showed that the All-Share Index, which is the broad index that measures the performance of Nigerian stocks, opened the trading quarter at 51,251.06 index points at the beginning of trading in January 2023, gaining 15.131.08 basis points or 29.52% during the three months to September 30.

Further analysis revealed that activities on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) which opened the trading year at N27.915 trillion ($28 billion) in market capitalization at the beginning of trading, closed the quarter at N36,331 trillion, hence has earned a year-to-date gain of about N8.416 trillion.

Key Takeaways

The impressive rally in Nigerian equities can be attributed to several key factors that have converged to create a favorable market environment. One significant contributor is the strategic policies implemented by the newly elected administration under President Bola Tinubu. These policies have instilled confidence and optimism in the business and investment communities, driving increased participation in the stock market. Furthermore, the harmonization of various exchange rates within the country has played a pivotal role in bolstering the stock market's performance. This move has streamlined currency exchange processes, reducing uncertainty and facilitating smoother cross-border transactions, thereby attracting more investors to the Nigerian market. Additionally, the decision to float the naira has had a positive impact on market dynamics. Collectively, these factors have created a perfect storm of optimism and confidence, resulting in the remarkable growth of the NGX All-Share Index during the third quarter of 2023. This surge underscores the potential for Nigeria's capital market to flourish under the right conditions and policies, serving as a testament to the resilience and vitality of the nation's economy.