First HoldCo Climbs 4.65% as Institutional Demand Remains Strong

First HoldCo Plc strengthened its position as one of the Nigerian Exchange’s most sought-after banking stocks on Thursday after its share price climbed 4.65 percent, extending recent gains and underscoring sustained investor confidence in the financial services group.

The company’s share price advanced from N129.00 to N135.00, adding N6.00 per share and placing it among the top-performing equities on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The price appreciation came alongside sustained investor participation, further strengthening First HoldCo’s position as one of the Exchange’s most actively traded banking stocks in recent sessions.

Although Zenith Bank Plc recorded the highest transaction value during Thursday’s trading, First HoldCo remained one of the market’s standout performers as investors continued to accumulate banking stocks despite mixed sentiment across other sectors.

The rally also helped lift the broader market.

The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) rose to 239,156.09 points, while equity market capitalisation increased to N154.44 trillion.

The performance of First HoldCo was particularly notable because it combined price appreciation with sustained investor confidence at a time when profit-taking continued to weigh on several non-financial stocks.

Among the day’s biggest losers were Fidson Healthcare Plc, Learn Africa Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, DAAR Communications Plc, and Legend Internet Plc.

Market activity also underscored the continued dominance of financial services stocks.

Zenith Bank Plc led the market by value with 69.95 million shares worth N8.20 billion, followed by GTCO Plc, where 37.47 million shares valued at N4.81 billion changed hands.

Access Holdings Plc also featured prominently after investors traded 45.37 million shares worth N1.29 billion.

The concentration of liquidity in leading banking stocks indicates that institutional investors continue to favour large-cap financial institutions even as the broader market experiences sector-specific rotations.

For First HoldCo, Thursday’s gain builds on the strong investor interest recorded in recent trading sessions, where the company consistently ranked among the Exchange’s most actively traded equities.

The stock’s ability to appreciate while institutional investors remain active suggests confidence in its long-term investment outlook remains intact.

Overall, investors exchanged 499.96 million shares valued at N35.15 billion across 40,323 deals during the session. While trading volume declined from the previous day, the increase in transaction value indicates investors concentrated capital in higher-priced, high-quality equities with First HoldCo remaining one of the principal beneficiaries of that shift.

The latest advance reinforces First HoldCo’s position as one of the Nigerian Exchange’s leading banking stocks, supported by sustained institutional demand and continued investor interest despite the market’s cautious trading environment.