By Onu Okorie

Trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed on a positive note on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.09 per cent, reversing the marginal decline recorded in the previous session.
The ASI rose to 246,233.30 points, while equities market capitalisation increased to approximately N159.05 trillion.
The modest recovery came amid mixed trading, with 10 stocks advancing, 10 declining and 124 remaining unchanged, indicating a relatively cautious session among investors.
UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCREIT) emerged as the day’s best-performing stock, gaining 9.88 per cent to close at N13.90. Learn Africa followed with a 9.49 per cent appreciation to N8.65, while International Energy Insurance rose 4.81 per cent to N3.05.
On the decliners’ side, Omatek Ventures led the losers’ chart, falling 9.71 per cent to N1.58. Sovereign Trust Insurance declined by 5.75 per cent to N2.13, while Linkage Assurance shed 5.64 per cent to close at N1.84.
Trading volume stood at about 67.47 million shares, reflecting relatively subdued activity compared with some recent sessions.
The Thursday performance followed a marginal decline on Wednesday, when the ASI fell by 0.03 per cent to 246,019.17 points, with investors losing about N40.99 billion in market value.
The market had begun September on a stronger footing, with the ASI gaining 0.77 per cent on Tuesday as buying interest in key equities lifted market capitalisation by N1.22 trillion.
Despite the mixed movement of individual stocks on Thursday, the latest session kept the Nigerian equities market close to record-high territory, with investors continuing to monitor corporate earnings, valuations and broader economic developments.
The performance also comes against a backdrop of strong year-to-date gains on the Nigerian bourse, which has remained one of the better-performing African equity markets in 2026.
Market participants are expected to continue watching the direction of large-cap stocks and institutional flows for clues on whether the recent gains can be sustained through September.