BUA Foods, Stanbic IBTC, drive intraday rally on NGX as BUA foods hits N10.35trn, surpassing MTNN, Dangote Cement

Stanbic IBTC and BUA Foods Plc are among the top companies gaining momentum in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) trading platform during the intraday trading session on Monday. The stock market rallied for four out of five trading sessions last week, spurred by demand for insurance names in anticipation of recapitalisation in the industry. BUA Foods Plc is still taking the lead, with 5% free float in the stock market, and buying momentum is seen in Tier 2 lender Stanbic IBTC, with a steep price uptick. BUA Foods Hits N10.35trn, Surpasses MTNN, Dangote Cement
At about N10.35 trillion market value, BUA Foods Plc has become the most valuable stock in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), surpassing MTN Nigeria and Dangote Cement to take the leadership position in the trillion naira club. According to data obtained from the Nigerian Exchange, BUA Foods’ market value inched higher to N10.348 trillion as a result of increased activities on the consumer goods index in the local bourse. BUA Foods courted investors’ attention, having shown signs its future earnings stream will remain stronger year on year except that the majority of its shares are closely held within a circle.
This, however, is a common pattern with all the billionaires’ listed stocks in the local bourse—keeping significant shareholding to themselves. Abdulsamad Rabiu, BUA Group Chairman, controls 89.85% of BUA Foods Plc in the first half of 2025 and another 2.78% in indirect shares; Rabiu Abdulsamad Isyaku owns 2.63%. The company has a 5.02% free float value of ₦390,442,984,290 as of 30th June 2025. In its declaration, BUA Foods is compliant with the Nigerian Exchange Group’s free float requirements for companies on the Main Board. MTN Nigeria lost its reign as the most valuable within a short period, having reached N10.077 trillion, according to MarketForces Africa Research. MTN Nigeria gained attention due to its earnings recovery in the first and second quarters of 2025. The market anticipates the telecom stock will return to dividend in 2025, and the possibility of a public offer keeps investors’ appetites wet. Profit takers’ quick exit in telecom stock plunged the company’s market value down to about N9.66 trillion at the close of the trading session on Friday as post-earnings release enthusiasm faded. Dangote Cement Plc was valued at N9.736 trillion in the market, its highest market value in 52 weeks, supported by improved earnings performance in the first half.
It was gathered that Dangote Industries Limited owns 87.28% interest in Dangote Cement Plc in the first half of 2025, followed by Stanbic IBTC Nominees with 5.43%. Both influential shareholders control 92.71% of the cement company. Aliko Dangote and other insiders also have an additional 2.5% interest, leaving the free float at 4.79%.
Airtel Africa Plc’s market value has stagnated at N8.683 trillion, and it appears nothing can move the stock, not even its earnings results. The stock is significantly closely held since its fast and furious buyback of the Nigeria minority interest. UBA is the only Tier-1 bank gaining attention, but the market is seeing support from Sterling Financial Holdings and United Capital Plc. At midday, the NGX All Share Index has increased by 0.43%, Alpha Morgan Limited told investors in an emailed note, reflecting a bullish market sentiment. Stockbrokers reported that the positive performance was driven by renewed investor interest in some mid- to high-capitalized stocks. Trading data revealed that STANBIC has seen 9.90% price appreciation, leading the midday rally that pushed the market index higher by 43 basis points. Other gainers include BUAFOODS, NASCON, UCAP, NAHCO, STERLINGNG, and UBA, among others.