The Nigerian Stock Exchange closed higher on Thursday, 29 January 2026, as investors responded to positive market sentiment despite a slowdown in trading activity.

The total market capitalisation rose by N232bn, from N105.74tn on Wednesday, 28 January, to N105.97tn, representing a 0.22 per cent increase. Similarly, the All Share Index gained 362.93 points, moving from 165,164.38 to 165,527.31.

Trading activity, however, experienced a decline compared with the previous session. A total of 550.4 million shares were exchanged in 38,635 deals, with a turnover of N14.14bn, representing a 12 per cent decline in volume, a 14 per cent drop in turnover, and an 8 per cent decrease in deals. In total, 131 equities participated in the session, with 41 gainers and 27 losers.

Leading the gainers was RT Briscoe, which climbed 10 per cent to close at N7.15 per share, followed closely by SCOA Nigeria, up 9.91 per cent; Deap Capital Management & Trust, up 9.91 per cent; and Veritas Kapital Assurance, up 9.85 per cent. On the losing side, Haldane McCall led the laggards with a 9.84 per cent decline, closing at N3.94 per share, while Union Dicon Salt down 9.79 per cent, University Press down 8 per cent, and Legend Internet down 7.56 per cent also recorded significant losses.

In terms of volume, Veritas Kapital Assurance topped the chart with 56.6 million shares traded, followed by Guaranty Trust Holding with 26 million shares, Tantalizers with 26 million shares, and Japaul Gold and Ventures with 25.9 million shares.

The PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Exchange Limited closed Wednesday’s trading session on a negative note as sustained sell pressure pushed the All-Share Index down by 0.33 per cent.