Equity trading on the Nigerian Exchange closed on a mixed sentiment on Friday, with market capitalization rising by N184 billion despite a slight decline in the All-Share Index (ASI).

Data from Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that total market capitalization increased by 0.17 percent to N106.153 trillion, up from N105.969 trillion recorded in the previous session.

The increase was largely driven by additional listings, including Presco’s 166,666,667 ordinary shares and GTCO’s listing of 125,000,000 ordinary shares priced at N80 each.

In contrast, the benchmark ASI fell by 0.09 percent, shedding 156.91 points to close at 165,370.40, compared with 165,527.31 in the preceding session.

Market breadth closed positive, as 34 equities recorded price appreciation while 31 stocks declined.

Zichis Agro Allied Industries topped the gainers’ chart, rising by 9.97 percent to close at N4.19. Abbey Mortgage Bank followed with a 9.94 percent increase to N9.40, while RT Briscoe advanced by 9.93 percent to N7.86. Haldane McCall gained 9.90 percent to close at N4.33, and Omatek Ventures rose by 9.89 percent to N3.00.

On the decliners’ table, Learn Africa, Livestock Feeds, and Livingtrust Microfinance Bank each lost 10 percent to close at N8.10, N6.30, and N4.05, respectively. Deap Capital Management dropped by 9.97 percent to N9.39, while McNicholas fell by 9.93 percent to N6.35.

Trading activity showed a slight slowdown, with a total of 687.4 million shares valued at N14.9 billion exchanged in 41,553 deals. This compares with 691.4 million shares worth N15.4 billion traded in the previous session, indicating declines in both volume and value, despite an increase in transaction count.

Veritas Kapital led the activity chart by volume, trading 80.47 million shares, representing 11.71 percent of total shares exchanged. Aradel Holdings recorded the highest value of trades at N2.31 billion, accounting for 15.43 percent of total market turnover.