Investors on the Nigerian Exchange recorded a combined gain of N561 billion on Friday as the stock market closed the first trading session of 2026 in positive territory.

The upbeat performance was driven by strong price appreciation in stocks such as FTN Cocoa Processors, ABC Transport, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Deap Capital Management, Aluminium Extrusion Industries, and 48 others, which boosted overall market sentiment.

Market capitalisation rose by N561 billion, representing a 0.57 per cent increase, to close at N99.937 trillion, up from an opening value of N99.376 trillion.

Similarly, the All-Share Index advanced by 0.57 per cent, gaining 879.33 points to settle at 156,492.36, compared with 155,613.03 recorded at the previous trading session on Wednesday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), trading activities were suspended on Thursday following a public holiday declared by the Federal Government to mark the New Year.

Market breadth closed firmly positive, with 53 stocks recording gains against 10 decliners.

FTN Cocoa Processors, ABC Transport, Mutual Benefits Assurance, and Deap Capital Management led the gainers’ chart, each appreciating by 10 per cent to close at N5.50, N4.51, N3.41, and N2.09 per share, respectively. Aluminium Extrusion Industries followed closely with a 9.93 per cent increase, closing at N23.80 per share.

On the losing side, Abbey Mortgage Bank topped the decliners’ list after shedding 6.25 per cent to close at N6.00. First City Monument Bank dropped by 4.56 per cent to N11.50, while Seplat Energy declined by 3.43 per cent to close at N5,610 per share.

Guinea Insurance fell by 2.26 per cent to N1.30, while Universal Insurance dipped by 1.65 per cent to close at N1.19 per share.

Market activity showed mixed results, as the number of transactions increased despite a decline in trading volume and value compared with the previous session. A total of 439.9 million shares valued at N24.9 billion were traded in 40,245 deals, compared with 1.23 billion shares worth N35.13 billion exchanged in 27,884 transactions on Wednesday.

Chams led the volume chart with 120.3 million shares traded, valued at N455.09 million. Linkage Assurance followed with 21.2 million shares worth N38.3 million, while Lasaco Assurance recorded the sale of 19.5 million shares valued at N48.6 million.

Aradel Holdings posted the highest value trade, exchanging 15.6 million shares worth N10.74 billion, while Access Corporation traded 14.3 million shares valued at N317.3 million.