The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) started the year with a notable surge, gaining 6.27% in January 2026. This upward trend was underpinned by a significant shift in trading activity, where the focus moved from sheer volume to high-value transactions. While stockbrokers don’t dictate where the market goes, their role as the engine of liquidity was on full display throughout the month as they executed massive trades for a diverse range of investors.
Data analyzed by Reports reveals that the top ten stockbroking firms handled trades worth N457.7 billion, capturing over 52% of the total market value. This is a substantial jump from the N341.6 billion recorded in January 2025, suggesting that even though the number of shares traded dipped slightly compared to last year, the deals being struck now are much larger and more impactful. For this reason, assessing broker performance by transaction value offers a much clearer picture of who is truly moving the needle in the Nigerian capital market.
Leading the charge among the heavyweights is The Bridge Securities Limited, which secured the 10th position for the month. The firm executed trades totaling N17.3 billion, an impressive feat considering it did not make the top rankings in the same period last year. Its activity accounted for 2% of the total market value of N865 billion and nearly 4% of the volume handled by the top ten elite firms.
While The Bridge Securities did not break into the top ten based on the number of shares traded, its presence on the value-based leaderboard is telling. It indicates that the firm is successfully handling premium, high-priced securities, catering to investors who are focused on quality and scale rather than high-frequency retail trading. This trend reflects a maturing market where institutional strength and high-value portfolios are increasingly defining the landscape of the NGX.
As the year progresses, the focus remains on whether these top-tier brokers can sustain this momentum. The transition from high-volume retail activity to these high-value strategic trades suggests a more calculated approach from both local and international investors looking to capitalize on the early gains of 2026.
