The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed higher on Tuesday, reversing losses from the previous trading session as renewed buying interest lifted market capitalisation by N93.48bn.
Market data showed that total equity value rose to N106.44tn, up from N106.34tn recorded on Monday. The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) also inched upward by 144.33 points, or 0.09 per cent, to settle at 166,256.83 points, signalling cautious optimism among investors.
Trading activity strengthened in value and volume, even as the number of executed deals declined. Investors exchanged 795.46 million shares worth N19.98bn across 45,390 transactions, representing a 26 per cent increase in volume and a 35 per cent rise in turnover. However, deal count fell by 22 per cent, suggesting larger trades rather than broader market participation.
A total of 130 stocks were active during the session. Market breadth was positive, with 39 gainers against 25 losers.
Red Star Express topped the gainers’ table, rallying 10 per cent to close at N15.95 per share. Deap Capital Management & Trust, NPF Microfinance Bank, and NCR Nigeria followed closely, each posting gains of about 10 per cent.
On the flip side, Aluminium Extrusion Industries led the laggards, shedding 9.95 per cent to close at N17.20. Jaiz Bank declined by 9.88 per cent to N7.21, while FTN Cocoa Processors and UPDC fell by 8.44 per cent and 8.06 per cent, respectively.
In terms of trading volume, Tantalizers recorded the highest activity with 87.0 million shares traded. It was followed by Secure Electronic Technology (74.2 million shares), Zichis Agro Allied Industries (69.6 million shares), and Zenith Bank (49.1 million shares).
By value of transactions, GTCO led the market with trades worth N3.79bn, ahead of Zenith Bank (N3.53bn) and Aradel Holdings (N2.80bn). MTN Nigeria and Access Holdings also featured among the most actively traded by value.
The rebound followed a weak start to the week, when the NGX shed N10.9bn in market value on Monday, highlighting persistent volatility as investors continue to rebalance portfolios amid mixed economic signals.
