Stock market opens 2026 with ₦561bn gain

The Nigerian stock market began the new year on a strong note, extending its bullish run on Friday — the first trading session of 2026 — as investors gained ₦561 billion on renewed buying interest in major equities.

Strong performances from FTN Cocoa Processors, ABC Transport, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Deap Capital Management, Aluminium Extrusion Industries and 48 other stocks lifted overall market sentiment.

Market capitalisation rose from ₦99.376 trillion to ₦99.937 trillion, adding ₦561 billion or 0.57 per cent.

Similarly, the All-Share Index advanced by 879.33 points, or 0.57 per cent, to close at 156,492.36, compared to 155,613.03 at the previous session.

Trading resumed after Thursday’s public holiday declared by the Federal Government to mark the New Year. Market breadth was positive, with 53 gainers and 10 losers.

FTN Cocoa Processors, ABC Transport, Mutual Benefits Assurance and Deap Capital Management all appreciated by 10 per cent each, closing at ₦5.50, ₦4.51, ₦3.41 and ₦2.09 per share respectively, while Aluminium Extrusion Industries gained 9.93 per cent to finish at ₦23.80.

On the losers’ chart, Abbey Mortgage Bank shed 6.25 per cent to close at ₦6.00, First City Monument Bank lost 4.56 per cent to end at ₦11.50, and Seplat Energy declined by 3.43 per cent to ₦5,610.

Guinea Insurance dropped 2.26 per cent to ₦1.30, while Universal Insurance fell 1.65 per cent to ₦1.19.

Despite the upbeat market, activity levels were mixed.

Total trades rose, but both value and volume declined versus the previous session, with 439.9 million shares worth ₦24.9 billion exchanged in 40,245 deals, compared to 1.23 billion shares valued at ₦35.13 billion across 27,884 deals on Wednesday.

Chams led trading by volume with 120.3 million shares valued at ₦455.09 million.

Linkage Assurance followed with 21.2 million shares, while Lasaco Assurance traded 19.5 million shares.

Aradel Holdings recorded ₦10.74 billion in value from 15.6 million shares, and Access Corporation traded 14.3 million shares worth ₦317.3 million.