The Nigerian Exchange closed the first trading session of the week on a positive note, with investors gaining N257bn as buying interest in select stocks lifted key market indices.

At the close of trading, total market capitalisation rose to N97.2tn, reflecting renewed optimism despite a slowdown in trading activities. The benchmark NGX All-Share Index advanced by 401.69 points, or 0.26 per cent, to settle at 152,459.07 points, extending the market’s upward trend. The performance translated to a one-week gain of 2.02 per cent, a four-week gain of 6.16 per cent and a year-to-date return of 48.12 per cent.

Trading data showed that a total of 451.48 million shares valued at N13.00bn were exchanged in 33,290 deals. Compared with the previous trading day, market turnover declined by 22 per cent and volume dropped by 49 per cent, although the number of deals improved by 30 per cent, indicating sustained investor participation.

Market breadth closed positive, as 129 listed equities participated in trading, with thirty-four gainers outweighing twenty losers. Aluminium Extrusion Industries topped the gainers’ chart after its share price appreciated by 9.72 per cent to close at N13.55 per share. International Energy Insurance followed with a gain of 9.69 per cent, while MeCure Industries rose by 9.64 per cent and Royal Exchange added 9.60 per cent.

On the losers’ side, Custodian and Allied Insurance led the decline with a 10.00 per cent drop to close at N35.10 per share. Associated Bus Company also shed 10.00 per cent, while Prestige Assurance Company fell by 7.41 per cent and Guinea Insurance declined by 7.38 per cent.

Activity on the trading floor was driven by Tantalizers, which recorded the highest volume with 50.18 million shares exchanged. First HoldCo followed with 32.62 million shares, while Access Holdings traded 27.32 million shares, and Custodian and Allied Insurance recorded 22.10 million shares.

In terms of sectoral performance, most indices closed in positive territory. The Top 30 Index gained 0.27 per cent, the Industrial Index rose by 0.91 per cent, the Consumer Goods Index advanced by 0.50 per cent and the Main Board Index increased by 0.39 per cent. The Pension Index edged up by 0.01 per cent, while the Oil and Gas Index closed flat for the session.

Overall, analysts say the market’s positive close reflects continued selective buying by investors, particularly in industrial, consumer and insurance stocks, as sentiment remains upbeat in the equities market.