The second half of 2025 began on a good note for equities investors in Nigerian shares, as a few stocks recorded impressive gains even though the overall market performance was relatively subdued.Â
At the helm of these was BETAGLAS, an industrial goods gem, which rose by a staggering 414.56 percent to top the list of best-performing stock on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) during this half.
BETAGLAS started the year at N64.90 and closed June’s trading at N333.95, ahead of the more general All-Share Index (ASI), which gained a more modest 16.57 percent — from 102,926.40 points to 119,978.57 points. 70 stocks topped the ASI, 20 of them moving up more than 100 percent. The first half of 2025 firmly indicated recovering investor interest in some firms and sectors with good earnings or turnaround prospects.
Sector Highlights and Key Performers
Sectorally, the industrial goods sector stirred things up with BETAGLAS, while the consumer goods sector gave us the most outperformers — with 14 stocks having strong gains. The services and financial services sectors followed closely behind each with 13 outperformers.
The top large-cap gainers were:
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HONYFLOUR (Consumer Goods): Soared by 241.27 percent from N6.30 to N21.50 due to aggressive demand in the flour and bakery sectors.
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TIP (Services): Appreciated by 230 percent, from N2.50 to N8.25, as a reflection of investors’ faith in transport and logistic companies.
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VITAFOAM (Consumer Goods): Improved by 221.74 percent from N23.00 to N74.00 due to good operating performance and demand for products.
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PRESCO (Agriculture): Jumped 168.42 percent, from N475.00 to N1,275.00, on favorable direction in commodity prices and sustained profitability.
Other high flyers are CHAMPION Breweries, ELLAHLAKES, and FIDSON Healthcare, all of which rose by more than 140 percent, which signals broad-based investor confidence across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and consumer staples.
Top Absolute Price Gainers
As percentage appreciation made headlines, absolute growth also shows a good photo. PRESCO rose by N800 per share to lead the pack, trailed by NESTLE by N575, OKOMUOIL with N346 gain. BETAGLAS was also among the best in this aspect, rising by N269.05 per share. Telcos MTNN and AIRTELAFRI, being the giants they are, also registered good absolute growth, indicating stability and investor confidence in the ICT sector.
Worst Performers in H1 2025
Even in the general upbeat mood in most quarters, all stocks did not enjoy the upsurge. VFD Group emerged as one of the worst-performing ones, losing 68.69 percent. SUNU Assurance fell 52.19 percent, and CONOIL lost 39.44 percent. The banking sector also had four of the worst ten performers, which indicated issues in earnings and investor mood in that sector. Poor performance was also witnessed in oil and gas, with MRS and CONOIL declining significantly.
Other underperformers were EUNISELL, Julius Berger, and MORISON, reflecting broad investor wariness in healthcare and construction.
Zero Movement Stocks
Six stocks registered zero price movement throughout the six-month duration, viz. JULI, RTBRISCOE, ALEX, OMATEK, NOTORE, and UNITYBNK. Their stable share price is more reflective of low investor interest or illiquidity than stability.
Market Sentiment and Outlook
H1 2025 market performance showcases increasing demand for small- and mid-cap stocks with good fundamentals or recovery tales. BETAGLAS’s dramatic performance showcases investors’ openness to chasing value in previously undervalued names, especially within manufacturing and the industrial space.
While investors are eyeing the second half of the year, analysts are monitoring earnings reports, macroeconomic turns, and sectoral reforms to pick the next set of outperformers. Already, there are 70 stocks beating the ASI and 20 that have at least doubled their price or more, and there is hope, though in a guarded fashion, that H2 2025 will be even better for astute investors.
