The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) reported a dynamic trading session today, marked by a modest uptick in the overall market and a noticeable increase in investor participation.

The NSE All-Share Index (NASI) rose by approximately 0.27 percent equating to a 0.35-point gain which helped lift the market’s total capitalization to around Ksh 2.02 trillion. This gain reflects continued investor confidence in the face of mixed global and domestic economic signals.

Trading activity picked up significantly, with volumes soaring by approximately 125 percent compared to the previous day, as more than 22.8 million shares changed hands across 1,647 deals.

The day’s turnover surged by 85 percent to reach approximately Ksh 323.9 million, indicating renewed enthusiasm among market participants.

Top-performing stocks included Sanlam Kenya, which surged 7.85 percent to close at KSh 8.52, and Total Kenya, which rose 7.64 percent to KSh 23.25. Olympia Capital Holdings and Flame Tree Group Holdings also posted notable gains, rising 4.53 percent and 4.31 percent, respectively.

On the downside, Sameer Africa suffered the steepest decline of the day, losing 8.86 percent to end at Ksh 3.29. Nairobi Business Ventures followed with a decline of 8.57 percent to Ksh 1.92, while Longhorn Publishers and Express Kenya fell by 8.06 percent and 6.32 percent, respectively.

Activity remained concentrated in dominant counters, with Safaricom leading the pack accounting for nearly 8 million shares in trade followed by Kenya Power & Lighting Company with over 5 million shares, and Kenya Re-Insurance with around 4 million traded.

Today’s market movements underscore a growing appetite for equities and a willingness to seize opportunities amidst uncertainties. Higher activity levels and selective gains suggest that investors are keen to capitalize on value plays and momentum in blue-chip and mid-tier stocks.

Overall, the NSE displayed healthy resilience, supported by rising activity and strategic buying in high-performing sectors.