The Nigerian equities market sustained its recovery for a second straight session on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with market capitalisation climbing by **N1.64 trillion** as investors returned to blue-chip stocks and insurance counters.
Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced 1.06% to close at **240,743.19 points**, up from 238,219.19 points in the previous session. Market capitalisation rose to **N154.48 trillion**.
The rally followed Monday's N1.52 trillion gain, signalling a gradual return of bargain hunters after a recent correction that wiped off more than N16 trillion from market value following the May all-time high.
Buying interest in bellwethers including Airtel Africa, GTCO, Access Holdings, First HoldCo, Lafarge Africa and Zenith Bank drove the market higher. Twenty-six other stocks also recorded gains.
The insurance sector led sectoral performance, advancing 2.84% on strong gains in Guinea Insurance, International Energy Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance and Sovereign Trust Insurance.
Banking stocks extended Monday's recovery, with GTCO gaining 1.49% while Access Holdings, First HoldCo and Zenith Bank posted modest advances, pushing the banking index 0.18% higher. The consumer goods sector rose 0.18%, supported by gains in McNichols and International Breweries. Industrial goods advanced marginally by 0.07%, underpinned by Lafarge Africa's gain, while the oil and gas index slipped 0.09% as losses in Oando weighed.
Airtel Africa was among the session's biggest drivers after gaining the maximum 10% to close at **N4,358.80**, providing significant support to the benchmark index.
**Airtel Africa** led the gainers alongside Guinea Insurance, International Energy Insurance, Tripple Gee & Company and Cornerstone Insurance. On the losing side were Red Star Express, Premier Paints, Trans-Nationwide Express, Royal Exchange and Abbey Mortgage Bank.
Market activity strengthened as volume traded rose 15.50% to **564.91 million shares**, while value traded increased 7.09% to **N39.35 billion**. Market breadth turned positive with 32 gainers against 23 losers.
