Local Bourse Extend Early-Year Gains as Benchmark Indices Gain, Market Cap Rises to GHS 172 Billion
The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) began the 2026 trading year on a firm footing, closing its first session higher on the back of modest gains in select blue-chip stocks.
Data from the Exchange showed that the benchmark GSE Composite Index (GSE-CI) edged up to 8,781.55 points, reflecting a year-to-date gain of 0.13%.
The GSE Financial Stocks Index (GSE-FSI) also inched higher, settling at 4,648.13 points, translating into a marginal YTD return of 0.02%.
The early gains lifted total market capitalisation to GH¢172.08 billion, underscoring improved investor sentiment at the start of the year.
Trading activity was relatively active, with total volume reaching 1.17 million shares, representing a 17.61% increase from the previous session. Correspondingly, the value of shares traded rose by 26.57% to GH¢4.61 million.
On the price movers’ front, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) led the gainers, advancing by GH¢0.03 to close at GH¢29.25.
GCB Bank followed with a GH¢0.02 appreciation to GH¢20.13, while GOIL and MTN Ghana (MTNGH) each added GH¢0.01 to settle at GH¢2.97 and GH¢4.21 respectively.
Conversely, Gold ETF (GLD) emerged as the sole decliner for the session, shedding GH¢31.60 to close at GH¢448.40.
MTN Ghana dominated trading activity, accounting for the largest share of turnover. The telecoms giant recorded a traded value of GH¢2.04 million on a volume of 485,319 shares, representing about 44.3% of total market value traded.
Other actively traded equities included GLD, SIC Insurance Company, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) and CAL Bank.
Market watchers say the positive opening performance reflects cautious optimism among investors, although they expect sentiment to remain data-driven in the near term as participants assess macroeconomic signals and corporate fundamentals.
