The Nigerian equities market opened the week on a firmer note, with the NGX All-Share Index (NGX-ASI) advancing by 0.29% to 247,699.78 points, extending its positive trajectory. The NGX-ASI’s year-to-date gain stood at 59.18%, while market capitalisation rose by 0.65% to NGN160.60 trillion. The stronger increase in market capitalisation relative to the ASI was partly influenced by the listing of additional Dangote Sugar shares during the session.

Market sentiment, however, remained weak beneath the headline index gain, as 12 stocks appreciated against 23 decliners, leaving market breadth at a subdued 0.28x. The UD ratio stood at 0.19x, pointing to a session dominated by selling pressure despite the positive movement in the benchmark index. The divergence reflected the influence of a few heavyweight stocks, particularly ARADEL and MTNN, in supporting the overall index.