The Nigerian stock market closed in negative territory on Thursday, October 22, 2026, extending previous losses as profit-taking in key equities dragged overall performance down.

The benchmark NGX All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 0.07 percent to close at 244,956.94 points, down from the 245,116.49 points recorded on Wednesday.

Consequently, total market capitalisation declined by approximately ₦103.60 billion to settle at ₦159.56 trillion, while the market's year-to-date return eased to 57.41 percent.

The downturn was driven by selling pressure in prominent stocks, including NGX Group, which declined by 4.69 percent, Oando, down 4.17 percent, and Wema Bank, which lost 3.33 percent.

Banking sector heavyweights Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, and United Bank for Africa also posted losses. Additionally, Cornerstone Insurance and International Breweries traded below their respective 52-week lows at ₦4.60 and ₦9.05.

Overall market sentiment remained negative, with 22 equities declining against 16 gainers.

Despite the decline in value, activity levels picked up as total trading volume rose by 1.87 percent to 360.75 million shares, valued at ₦20.32 billion and executed across 31,401 transactions.

Top Gainers and Losers Access Holdings led the gainers' chart, appreciating by 9.85 percent to close at ₦7.25. PZ Cussons Nigeria followed with an 8.58 percent gain to close at ₦68.95, while Tantalizers advanced by 5.85 percent to ₦3.98. International Energy Insurance also rose by 5.42 percent to finish at ₦2.14.

Conversely, Thomas Wyatt Nigeria recorded the heaviest loss, dropping 10.00 percent to close at ₦2.52. Austin Laz and Company fell 8.81 percent to ₦2.90, Nascon Allied Industries dropped 6.85 percent to ₦0.68, UPDC lost 6.49 percent to ₦3.60, and Cornerstone Insurance shed 6.12 percent to ₦4.60.

ID