The Nigerian stock market extended its gains on April 21, 2026 and closed higher despite weaker trading activity.
The All Share Index climbed by 135.97 points to 218,249.81, rising 0.06% from 218,113.84.
This move set a new daily record high and reinforced sustained bullish momentum across the market.
Market Performance
Lafarge Africa led large caps with a strong 9.64% gain and supported overall market direction alongside other industrial stocks.
Trading activity slowed during the session as investors reduced participation.
Volume dropped to 842.4 million shares from 983 million, while market participants executed trades across 61,617 deals.
Meanwhile, market capitalisation still edged higher to ₦140.5 trillion from ₦140.4 trillion.
In addition, total value traded stood at N44.8 billion.
Gainers And Losers
Investor sentiment remained positive, as the market delivered a 40.26% year-to-date return.
As a result, gains outweighed profit taking across key sectors.
NASCON Allied and Union Dicon Salt led the gainers and rose 10.00% and 9.92% respectively.
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Likewise, Lafarge Africa, Trans Nationwide Express and UACN posted strong advances.
On the downside, investors triggered profit taking in select stocks.
Consequently, Legend Internet fell 9.92%, while Abbey Mortgage Bank declined 9.59%.
Stanbic IBTC also weakened, while Access Holdings and Veritas Kapital dropped further.
Trading Activity And Sector Trends
Access Holdings led trading volume with 110.8 million shares.
Similarly, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank and UBA recorded strong activity.
MTN Nigeria dominated value traded at N6.5 billion.
In the same vein, Zenith Bank followed with N5.5 billion, while GTCO, Aradel and Access Holdings posted significant turnover.
Among SWOOT stocks, Lafarge Africa gained strongly, while Dangote Cement rose 3.28%.
However, International Breweries, BUA Cement and Nigerian Breweries declined.
FUGAZ performance stayed mixed.
First Holdco rose 4.41%, and GTCO edged higher.
In contrast, Access Holdings, UBA and Zenith Bank closed lower.
Despite softer volumes, large caps supported the index and strengthened overall sentiment.
Consequently, the market remained firmly positive.
Ultimately, the All Share Index reached a record daily high of 218,249.81 and marked another milestone.
Although signals suggest overbought conditions, momentum may still drive a move towards 220,000.
