Market Update For December 22, 2025
The Nigerian equities market closed Monday’s session on a positive note, extending its recent rally as investors continued to rotate funds into select consumer goods, industrial and mid-cap stocks. Buying interest remained largely stock-specific, reflecting a cautious but optimistic stance amid moderating trading activity. Names such as NASCON, BUACEMENT, FIRSTHOLDCO, DANGSUGAR, PRESCO, ETI, MECURE, BERGER and IKEJAHOTEL featured prominently in driving market sentiment.
Trading started on a mixed footing, with early selloffs in pockets of the market quickly absorbed by bargain hunters. The consumer goods space staged a notable intraday rebound after opening in negative territory, suggesting renewed confidence in pricing power and earnings resilience. Industrial stocks sustained momentum throughout the session, supported by expectations of continued infrastructure spending and capacity expansion. Conversely, banking and insurance stocks faced mild profit-taking, reflecting cautious positioning ahead of further macro and policy signals.
Despite the positive close, overall market participation softened materially. Traded volumes and values declined sharply, indicating that the rally is increasingly driven by selective accumulation rather than broad-based inflows. This pattern suggests investors are becoming more discerning, favouring stocks with strong fundamentals, improving earnings visibility and positive technical setups. The fact that several stocks closed above their respective 52-week highs further underscores the underlying strength of the current market structure.
From a technical perspective, the market remains firmly bullish. The All-Share Index continues to trade above key short- and medium-term moving averages, confirming the prevailing uptrend. Momentum indicators still point north, though declining volumes hint at the possibility of brief pullbacks as investors lock in gains near resistance levels. Importantly, these pullbacks are likely to be shallow, with demand expected to re-emerge around established support zones.
Oil Market Update and Macro Context
Global oil prices firmed during the session, providing a supportive external backdrop for energy-linked sentiment. Crude prices rose after the interception of a tanker near Venezuelan waters reignited concerns about potential supply disruptions, while lingering tensions around the Russia–Ukraine conflict continued to add a geopolitical risk premium. Brent crude advanced to around $61.8 per barrel, while U.S. WTI traded near $57.8 per barrel.
Market participants are reassessing risks to Venezuelan exports under renewed enforcement of U.S. sanctions, even as rising output from the U.S. and the OPEC+ group continues to cap upside. Overall, the oil market remains delicately balanced: short-term prices are supported by geopolitical developments, but medium-term sentiment is still weighed down by oversupply concerns. For Nigeria, firmer oil prices offer marginal support to fiscal and FX expectations, though sustained gains would be required to materially shift the macro outlook.
Outlook
In the near term, we expect the Nigerian equities market to maintain a cautiously positive bias, underpinned by sector rotation and selective buying interest. While intermittent profit-taking may slow the pace of gains, pullbacks are likely to be met with renewed demand, particularly in stocks showing strong earnings momentum and clear technical breakouts. Investors are advised to remain selective, focusing on quality names while keeping an eye on volume trends and global macro developments, especially in the oil market.
Market Snapshot
The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.26% to close at 152,459.07 points, up from 152,057.38 points in the previous session. Market capitalisation increased by ₦256.08bn to ₦97.19trn, pushing the year-to-date return higher to 48.12%. Market breadth was positive, with 34 gainers against 19 decliners.
Top gainers were led by ALEX, which surged 9.72% to close at ₦13.55, trading above its 52-week high. MECURE rose 9.64% to ₦60.30, also hitting a new one-year high, while ROYALEX advanced 9.60%. BERGER gained 4.64% to close at ₦43.95, and INTBREW added 4.17%.
On the losing side, CUSTODIAN topped the decliners’ chart, shedding 10.00%. PRESTIGE followed with a 7.41% decline, while ELLAHLAKES fell 6.45%. NGXGROUP and NEM also closed lower, declining by 4.34% and 3.80% respectively, largely due to profit-taking and weaker near-term sentiment.
2026 Q1 Master Class Tactical Trading GPS For Higher Returns On NGX
Transform your trading performance at Q1 Master Class with comprehensive trading map and actionable strategies that boost your bottom line. The non-virtual event will provide expert-driven trading pack with battle-tested strategies and real market insights you can implement immediately from January 2, 2026.
Starting your new year trading and investment move on intelligent and knowledgeable base decisions.
Sub-Topics
1, Actionable Trading Plan & Strategies for 2026 Q1
2, The Power Of Momentum Trading With Price Action In Market Cycle
3, Investing Dates & Earnings Expectation in Q1
4, Five Stocks that triple Nigerian inflation figure in 91 days.
Trading is Freedom – Where are you in the journey of profitable Trading and Investing?
Your 2026 Q1 Strategic Positioning starts here——–
Financial market outlook for the next 3 months favour equities over fixed income market, as changing yield environment has revealed ahead of NGX earnings reporting peak. so taking position in strong sectors and stocks with strong momentum and higher upside potentials ahead of corporate actions in first quarter of 2026 and the peak of earnings season in Nigerian equity market history that provide the drivers.
Inside this strategic trading solutions, you will discover
1, The best trading strategies for the First earnings reporting season in 2026
2, How manage trading and investing risk
3, The 4 simply steps for consistent profitable trading and investing
4, How to use the power of price structure, time and momentum in any market cycle for money making
5, Hot 5 Stocks for capital appreciation and 5 Double digit Dividend Paying Companies. Get ready for Q1 2026.
Why the strategic plan is very important now?
-Ask yourself where you want to be financially in the first 91-day in 2026, it starts with positioning in the right stocks at the right time.
–How much money do you want to make from trading the peak of earnings season
–Are your current trading strategies and plans working for you? Or do you need to research new strategies or new investment windows to trade?
–If you have lost money in 2025 or your profit size is small, then please pay attention and get this strategic trades to boost your return in Q1 2026.
–Taking action on these right stocks could be one of the smartest decision you ever make for your financial freedom.
–Again, are you in for 2026 Q1 Master Class Strategic Trading Solution and Plan
Don’t miss this strategic trading solution manual, if you want financial independence and profitable investing in the new year ………
Date: The 2026 Q1 Master Class Tactical Trading GPS on NGX for Higher Returns IN Q1 2026 will be available January 2, 2026
Time: Before Close of Business
Fee: 55,000
If you want to be among the sharp investors and traders in Q1 2026? Send STOCK to 08028164085, 08179547605 now.
