Investors Lose 5.15 Trillion Naira in the First Four Trading Days of June

Kayode Tokede  

Foreign and domestic investors who have put money into the stock market segment of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) have lost N5.15 trillion in the first four trading days of June 2026.

This decline follows a wave of profit‑taking among blue‑chip names such as MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and others.

Market capitalization opened June 2026 at N160.509 trillion and fell by 3.21 percent, or N5.15 trillion, to close yesterday at N155.359 trillion.

It had dropped by N1.8 trillion on the day investors sold shares in BUA Cement Plc, Red Star Express Plc, First Holdco Plc, Oando Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.

Midweek, it fell another N2.28 trillion, marking a third consecutive decline, as investors took profits in MTN Nigeria Communications and 42 other stocks.

Consequently, the NGX All‑Share Index (NGX ASI) slipped 3.3 percent, or 8,158.16 basis points, to close at 242,227.31 basis points yesterday from 250,385.47 basis points when trading opened in June 2026.

This brings the NGX ASI’s year‑to‑date performance to 55.7 percent.

The index had risen 3.35 percent in May 2026, its lowest month‑on‑month gain, and 60.90 percent over its first five months.

Capital‑market analysts have advised investors to trade cautiously on the NGX in June 2026, focusing on fundamentally strong stocks with attractive valuations.

Cordros Securities Limited, in a report, said, “Looking ahead, we expect market sentiment to remain broadly cautious in the near term, in the absence of a clear catalyst to drive momentum.”

Analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited added, “The Nigerian equities market is expected to remain cautiously positive, with performance likely driven by stock‑specific factors rather than broad market momentum.”

“Weak market breadth and subdued trading activity suggest continued fragile sentiment, while elevated fixed‑income yields may sustain occasional portfolio shifts away from equities. Nonetheless, selective opportunities may emerge in fundamentally strong counters, particularly in the banking and insurance sectors, as investors remain focused on earnings resilience and dividend prospects.”