Stocks closed higher on Tuesday as the Nigerian Exchange (NSE) reversed losses from the previous session, with market capitalisation rising by N93.48 billion to N106.44 trillion from N106.34 trillion on Monday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) edged up by 144.33 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 166,256.83 points, compared with 166,112.50 points in the prior session, reflecting renewed investor interest in select equities.
Trading activity improved in both volume and value terms, though deal counts fell. A total of 795.46 million shares valued at N19.98 billion were exchanged in 45,390 deals, representing a 26 per cent increase in volume and a 35 per cent rise in turnover, while deals declined by 22 per cent compared with Monday.
A total of 130 equities participated in trading, with 39 gaining and 25 losing. Among the top gainers, Red Star Express led with a 10 per cent increase to N15.95 per share, followed by Deap Capital Management & Trust (+10%), NPF Microfinance Bank (+10%), and NCR Nigeria (+9.97%).
On the losing side, Aluminium Extrusion Industries fell 9.95 per cent to N17.20 per share, while Jaiz Bank shed 9.88 per cent to N7.21. FTN Cocoa Processors and UPDC also recorded declines of 8.44 per cent and 8.06 per cent, respectively.
In terms of trading volume, Tantalizers led with 87.0 million shares, followed by Secure Electronic Technology (74.2 million), Zichis Agro Allied Industries (69.6 million), and Zenith Bank (49.1 million).
In value terms, GTCO topped the chart with trades worth N3.79 billion, followed by Zenith Bank (N3.53 billion), Aradel Holdings (N2.80 billion), MTN Nigeria (N964.6 million), and Access Holdings (N692.0 million), as investors repositioned portfolios amid cautious optimism in the market.
The rebound comes after a bearish start to the week, when market capitalisation fell by N10.9 billion on Monday, signalling a quick recovery and renewed confidence among investors.
