ABCTRANS, three others hit day-to-day invent as All-Share Index breaks 156,000 stage 

The Nigerian stock market kicked off 2026 on a definite ticket, with the All-Share Index (ASI) adding 879.3 gains, or 0.57%, to shut at 156,492.4 on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Trading data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) confirmed the index rising from 155,612.9, as bullish sentiment persisted on the bourse.

On the opposite hand, market narrate became extra subdued, with procuring and selling volume dropping sharply to 424 million shares from the 1.2 billion shares recorded in the final session of 2025.

What the data is announcing 

The market’s 0.57% invent on the day indicators a solid originate to the 365 days, with the ASI firmly above the 156,000 stage, pushing the 365 days-to-date return to 0.57%. Market capitalisation stood at N99.90 trillion, finest worried of the N100 trillion psychological threshold.

• Top gainers for the session had been ABCTRANS, DEAPCAP, FTNCOCOA, MBENEFIT, and ALEX, all posting shut to or maximum positive aspects of 10%.
• On the downside, ABBEYBDS and FCMB led decliners, shedding 6.25% and 5.81% respectively.
• By system of procuring and selling volume, CHAMS dominated with 115.2 million shares exchanged, adopted by LINKASSURE and LASACO.
• For transaction discover, ARADEL stood out with trades rate N10.7 billion, earlier than SEPLAT’s N6.3 billion and GTCO’s N749.2 million.

More on market movers and efficiency 

The session confirmed solid passion in each and each big- and mid-cap stocks.

Amongst the trillion-naira membership (SWOOTs), ARADEL won 7.51% whereas World Breweries rose 1.79%. On the opposite hand, SEPLAT and Nigerian Breweries recorded losses of 3.43% and nil.66%, respectively.

The Tier-1 banking stocks, collectively identified as FUGAZ, performed strongly.

• Pick up admission to Holdings surged 9.52%, adopted by Zenith Financial institution (+4.37%), UBA (+3.24%), FirstHoldco (+1.88%), and GTCO (+1.76%).

Why this matters 

The market’s solid opening suggests investors are optimistic about 2026, presumably positioning for early positive aspects as the corporate earnings season approaches.

• The immense-primarily based rally, notably in heavyweight stocks, implies institutional narrate is abet after the holiday lull.

A breach of the N100 trillion market cap threshold in the arriving days would label a symbolic and psychological enhance for investor sentiment.

What you are going to also aloof know 

• The definite originate to 2026 builds on a solid shut in 2025, when the NGX recorded immense-primarily based positive aspects largely supported by banking and energy stocks.
• The drop in procuring and selling volume likely shows a publish-holiday cooldown, even despite the truth that the stage of discover traded signifies that sizeable, immense-ticket transactions are aloof taking build.
• Within the weeks ahead, analysts are expected to show screen dormant stocks and most up-to-date underperformers for signs of renewed passion and good deal-hunting narrate.