Top 10 Most Actively Traded Stocks on NGX: Access Holdings and Universal Insurance Lead the Pack
Trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has been largely driven by investors repositioning themselves following the strong market performance of 2024. So far in 2025, financial services stocks have dominated the market, accounting for more than half of total trading volume.
Between January and February 2025, the NGX recorded a market turnover of 24.179 billion shares, valued at ₦558.3 billion, contributing to a 4.8% year-to-date (YTD) market gain by the end of February.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 most actively traded stocks based on their average trading volume during the period:
1️⃣ Access Holdings – 44.388 million shares
Access Holdings remains the most actively traded stock on the NGX, with an average volume of 44.388 million shares. The stock gained 7% YTD, closing at ₦25.60 in February. Investor confidence surged after the completion of its rights issue, pushing its price to a one-year high of ₦28.15—a 43% premium on the rights issue price.
2️⃣ Universal Insurance – 23.382 million shares
After delivering a 154% return in 2024, Universal Insurance started 2025 strong but later lost steam due to profit-taking. The stock has an average trading volume of 23.382 million shares and ended February down 2% YTD.
3️⃣ AIICO Insurance – 22.930 million shares
AIICO Insurance had an average trading volume of 22.93 million shares, with peak activity on January 7, when over 120 million shares were exchanged. The stock delivered a 19% YTD return by February’s close, despite a slowdown caused by underwhelming earnings reports.
4️⃣ Zenith Bank – 22.647 million shares
Zenith Bank enjoyed bullish sentiment, fueled by an oversubscribed rights issue and public offer. With an average trading volume of 22.647 million shares, the stock recorded a 6% return YTD. Notably, 122.23 million shares were traded on February 28 alone.
5️⃣ First Holdco – 21.938 million shares
First Holdco, formerly FBN Holdings, saw an average trading volume of 21.938 million shares. Despite ownership disputes making headlines, there were no significant share transfers, and the stock gained 4% YTD by February’s end.
6️⃣ UBA – 17.037 million shares
UBA’s impressive 8% return YTD was driven by an average volume of 17.037 million shares. The bank’s market capitalization crossed the ₦1 trillion mark, closing at ₦1.26 trillion in February.
7️⃣ Fidelity Bank – 15.404 million shares
Fidelity Bank recorded an average volume of 15.404 million shares, with its share price surging to an all-time high of ₦20.85 on January 28—a 125% premium over its rights issue price of ₦9.25. However, profit-taking led to sell-offs in mid-February.
8️⃣ Sterling Holdco – 15.221 million shares
Sterling Holdco saw high trading activity with an average volume of 15.221 million shares. After rallying 19% between December and January, profit-taking caused a 2% decline YTD by February’s end.
9️⃣ GTCO Holdings – 13.772 million shares
GTCO, the most valuable banking stock, saw an average volume of 13.772 million shares and a 7% YTD return. The stock hit an all-time high of ₦64 on February 6, with its market capitalization reaching ₦2.09 trillion ($1.39 billion).
Jaiz Bank – 13.534 million shares
Jaiz Bank maintained strong momentum, with an average volume of 13.534 million shares and a 17% YTD return. Although no major corporate action drove investor interest, financial services stocks remained a preferred choice amid broader market uncertainty.
Conclusion
Financial stocks continue to dominate the NGX, reflecting investor confidence in the sector. With corporate earnings and market trends influencing price movements, it will be interesting to see how these stocks perform in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on market trends and stock performance!
Trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has been largely driven by investors repositioning themselves following the strong market performance of 2024. So far in 2025, financial services stocks have dominated the market, accounting for more than half of total trading volume.
Between January and February 2025, the NGX recorded a market turnover of 24.179 billion shares, valued at ₦558.3 billion, contributing to a 4.8% year-to-date (YTD) market gain by the end of February.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 most actively traded stocks based on their average trading volume during the period:
1️⃣ Access Holdings – 44.388 million shares
Access Holdings remains the most actively traded stock on the NGX, with an average volume of 44.388 million shares. The stock gained 7% YTD, closing at ₦25.60 in February. Investor confidence surged after the completion of its rights issue, pushing its price to a one-year high of ₦28.15—a 43% premium on the rights issue price.
2️⃣ Universal Insurance – 23.382 million shares
After delivering a 154% return in 2024, Universal Insurance started 2025 strong but later lost steam due to profit-taking. The stock has an average trading volume of 23.382 million shares and ended February down 2% YTD.
3️⃣ AIICO Insurance – 22.930 million shares
AIICO Insurance had an average trading volume of 22.93 million shares, with peak activity on January 7, when over 120 million shares were exchanged. The stock delivered a 19% YTD return by February’s close, despite a slowdown caused by underwhelming earnings reports.
4️⃣ Zenith Bank – 22.647 million shares
Zenith Bank enjoyed bullish sentiment, fueled by an oversubscribed rights issue and public offer. With an average trading volume of 22.647 million shares, the stock recorded a 6% return YTD. Notably, 122.23 million shares were traded on February 28 alone.
5️⃣ First Holdco – 21.938 million shares
First Holdco, formerly FBN Holdings, saw an average trading volume of 21.938 million shares. Despite ownership disputes making headlines, there were no significant share transfers, and the stock gained 4% YTD by February’s end.
6️⃣ UBA – 17.037 million shares
UBA’s impressive 8% return YTD was driven by an average volume of 17.037 million shares. The bank’s market capitalization crossed the ₦1 trillion mark, closing at ₦1.26 trillion in February.
7️⃣ Fidelity Bank – 15.404 million shares
Fidelity Bank recorded an average volume of 15.404 million shares, with its share price surging to an all-time high of ₦20.85 on January 28—a 125% premium over its rights issue price of ₦9.25. However, profit-taking led to sell-offs in mid-February.
8️⃣ Sterling Holdco – 15.221 million shares
Sterling Holdco saw high trading activity with an average volume of 15.221 million shares. After rallying 19% between December and January, profit-taking caused a 2% decline YTD by February’s end.
9️⃣ GTCO Holdings – 13.772 million shares
GTCO, the most valuable banking stock, saw an average volume of 13.772 million shares and a 7% YTD return. The stock hit an all-time high of ₦64 on February 6, with its market capitalization reaching ₦2.09 trillion ($1.39 billion).
Jaiz Bank – 13.534 million shares
Jaiz Bank maintained strong momentum, with an average volume of 13.534 million shares and a 17% YTD return. Although no major corporate action drove investor interest, financial services stocks remained a preferred choice amid broader market uncertainty.
Conclusion
Financial stocks continue to dominate the NGX, reflecting investor confidence in the sector. With corporate earnings and market trends influencing price movements, it will be interesting to see how these stocks perform in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on market trends and stock performance!