Nigeria’s stock market endured a turbulent 2014, with N1.75 trillion ($9.5 billion) loss recorded by the country’s investors. The year ended with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rated as one of the world’s worst performing bourses of 2014, with market capitalisation of the listed equities falling from N13.23 trillion ($71.9 billion) at the start of the year to N11.48 trillion ($62.6 billion) by year end.

Despite a poor 2014 overall, some stocks were bullish, ending the year on a high and posting returns of over 100 percent each. Below are four of the top performers.

Premier Breweries

The company, which is undergoing a revamping process by its board led by one Africa’s richest men Arthur Eze, performed best in 2014, returning 392.21 percent on investment, with shares closing at 379 kobo each.

Ikeja Hotels

The hotel management company also did well in 2014, with 374.36 percent returns to close the year at N3.70 from 88 kobo in September.

Forte Oil

Forte Oil rallied a return of 133.15 percent to come third on the gainers chart, but it remains the biggest of the companies that gained most in 2014. According to a local news platform Daily Independent, Forte Oil’s share price grew on the back of ambitious inorganic growth, with acquisitions like the 414 megawatt Geregu Power Generation Plant in Kogi State boosting growth and raising investor’s confidence.

7up Plc

The bottling company saw its share value grow 131.65 percent, closing at N165.40 after opening the year at N71. It hit its growth peak in June, climbing to N197 per share at the time. The shares however went down to N135, but managed to end the year on a high.

Best Return Year-To-Date (YTD)
2014  Jan 1-Dec 31st
Premier Breweries plc 392.21%
Ikeja Hotel plc 374.36%
Forte Oil Plc 133.15%
Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc 131.65%

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