Top 10 Best-performing Stocks In July 2025 By Value Appreciation

The Nigerian stock market extended its bullish run in July 2025, with a strong performance across blue-chip and mid-cap counters.

Nestle Nigeria Plc emerged as the top gainer by value, while agro-industrial and industrial goods stocks dominated the top 10 list, reflecting broad-based investor optimism across key sectors.

Nestle topped the chart with a N440 share price increase, while Presco and Okomu Oil Palm followed with gains of N275 and N260, respectively.

Cement heavyweights like Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and Lafarge Africa also featured prominently, underscoring the renewed appetite for infrastructure-linked equities.

Meanwhile, small- to mid-cap stocks dominated the leaderboard by percentage change, with Academy Press Plc soaring 120.78%, followed by Associated Bus Company (99.59%), and UACN Plc (96.33%), reflecting growing speculative interest and optimism around operational turnaround stories.

The surge in these stock prices reflects broader market optimism, driven by corporate performance, macroeconomic stability, and improving investor sentiment across key sectors.

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10. Cadbury Nigeria Plc – Consumer Goods

• Open: N41.5 | Close: N68 | Value Gain: N26.5 | % Change: +63.86% 

Cadbury added N26.5 to close at N68 from N41.5, representing a 63.86% increase. Its robust performance highlights renewed investor confidence in FMCGs and expectations of improved margins following cost optimization efforts. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

9. Nigerian Exchange Group – Capital Market Services

• Open: N42.9 | Close: N74.6 | Value Gain: N31.7 | % Change: +73.89% 

NGX Group rallied N31.7, from N42.9 to N74.6, a 73.89% increase. The stock’s rise is linked to higher trading volumes and improved market activity, with investor sentiment benefiting from rising corporate earnings across the exchange. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

8. UACN Plc – Conglomerates (Consumer & Real Estate Exposure)

• Open: N40.9 | Close: N80.3 | Value Gain: N39.4 | % Change: +96.33% 

UACN’s price nearly doubled, surging 96.33% from N40.9 to N80.3—a gain of N39.4. The rebound reflects increased market optimism around its ongoing restructuring and improved operating leverage. Its diversified model is also benefiting from tailwinds in the food and real estate segments.

It stood out as one of July’s top percentage gainers. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

7. BUA Cement Plc – Industrial Goods

• Open: N95.4 | Close: N135 | Value Gain: N39.6 | % Change: +41.51% 

BUA Cement gained N39.6, climbing from N95.4 to N135, representing a 41.51% increase. The stock benefitted from increased construction activities and investor positioning in cement stocks as a proxy for infrastructure growth.

The price rally suggests recovery from the profit compression witnessed in 2024 due to cost overruns and currency losses. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

6. Beta Glass Plc – Manufacturing / Industrial Goods

• Open: N333.95 | Close: N374 | Value Gain: N40.05 | % Change: +11.99% 

Beta Glass rose N40.05 in July, from N333.95 to N374, a 11.99% increase. While the percentage gain was modest, the upward movement reflects renewed interest in industrial plays amid growing demand for local manufacturing inputs.

While the company remains fundamentally strong, the stock’s subdued movement may reflect concerns around capex expansion and slower packaging demand.

It underperformed the ASI performance for the month.

5. Lafarge Africa Plc – Industrial Goods

• Open: N87.2 | Close: N149 | Value Gain: N61.8 | % Change: +70.87% 

With a 70.87% gain, Lafarge Africa posted one of the strongest monthly performances percentage-wise, rising from N87.2 to N149, an increase of N61.8.

The performance reflects a bullish shift toward building materials, bolstered by strong Q2 earnings and cost-efficiency gains. The firm appears to be rebounding as it implements cost-saving measures and improves local sourcing strategies.

4. Dangote Cement Plc – Industrial Goods

• Open: N440 | Close: N528.3 | Value Gain: N88.3 | % Change: +20.07% 

Dangote Cement added N88.3, up from N440 to N528.3, translating to a 20.07% gain. Although modest compared to other percentage movers, this gain is significant in absolute terms given its market capitalization. Renewed interest in infrastructure and housing likely underpins investor confidence.

Although not yet at peak momentum, the stock remains a solid performer within large-cap industrials. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

3. Okomu Oil Palm Plc – Agro-Industrial

• Open: N790 | Close: N1,050 | Value Gain: N260 | % Change: +32.91% 

Okomu advanced by N260, closing the month at N1,050 from N790, posting a 32.91% increase.

Okomu posted one of the strongest relative gains, supported by consistent profitability and foreign currency earnings. The firm’s steady earnings, low leverage, and FX-generating capacity make it a consistent favorite for growth-oriented investors in the agriculture sector.

It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

2. Presco Plc – Agro-Industrial

• Open: N1,275 | Close: N1,550 | Value Gain: N275 | % Change: +21.57% 

Presco rose by N275, closing at N1,550 from N1,275, with a 21.57% gain.

Presco continues to benefit from high crude palm oil prices and FX-linked export revenues. Operating in the palm oil and agro-industrial space, its upward momentum is supported by rising global oil prices and strong export earnings, making it attractive to investors seeking currency-hedged exposure. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.

1. Nestle Nigeria Plc – Consumer Goods

• Open: N1,450 | Close: N1,890 | Value Gain: N440 | % Change: +30.34% 

Nestle’s share price jumped by N440, from N1,450 to N1,890, marking a 30.34% gain in July. As one of the leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Nigeria, its performance reflects investor confidence in defensive stocks with strong pricing power and stable demand, especially amid persistent inflationary pressures.

Nestle delivered a strong rebound from recent quarters marked by margin pressure due to FX and input costs. The July surge signals a market re-rating, as investors respond to its improved H1 guidance, cost discipline, and resilient demand for staple products. It outperformed the ASI performance for the month.