Economy
Investors Gain N296bn from Stock Trading Amid Rise in Inflation
By Dipo Olowookere
A 0.50 per cent growth was recorded by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday despite a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that inflation in October 2024 increased by 33.88 per cent.
The stats office attributed the spike in the average prices of goods and services last month to a rise in the price of food items at the market as food inflation was at 39.16 per cent.
However, investors were not bothered about this as they increased their holdings in equities, resulting in an increase in the market capitalisation of Customs Street by N296 billion yesterday to N59.215 trillion from N58.919 trillion.
In the same vein, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up on the last trading session of the week by 489.21 points to 97,722.28 points from the 97,233.07 points it ended a day earlier.
It was observed that all the key sectors of the market ended in the green territory yesterday, the insurance counter rising by 2.16 per cent, the industrial goods space expanding by 1.70 per cent, the energy index growing by 1.32 per cent, the banking sector gaining 0.72 per cent and the consumer goods space increasing by 0.63 per cent.
Business Post reports that investor sentiment was strong after the bourse finished with 31 appreciating shares and 20 depreciating shares, representing a positive market breadth index.
Eunisell and Flour Mills gained 10.00 per cent each on Friday to sell for N11.99, and N78.65 apiece, John Holt jumped by 9.97 per cent to N7.72, Consolidated Hallmark increased by 9.94 per cent to N1.88, and Sunu Assurances rose by 9.68 per cent to N2.72.
On the flip side, Deap Capital declined by 9.17 per cent to N1.09, Ikeja Hotel retreated by 8.54 per cent to N7.50, DAAR Communications slumped by 6.45 per cent to 58 Kobo, Universal Insurance contracted by 5.88 per cent to 32 Kobo, and Fidson slipped by 5.69 per cent to N14.10.
A total of 295.2 million shares valued at N6.8 billion were traded in 8,433 deals on Friday versus the 291.5 million shares worth N7.8 billion transacted in 7,931 deals on Thursday, representing a decline in the trading volume by 1.27 per cent, and a surge in the trading value and number of deals by 12.82 per cent and 6.33 per cent, respectively.
Access Holdings maintained its topmost position on the activity log with a turnover of 33.3 million stocks valued at N826.5 million, Zenith Bank transacted 30.3 million shares worth N1.3 billion, Consolidated Hallmark sold 20.1 million equities for N36.8 million, United Capital traded 19.1 million shares worth N327.8 million, and Sunu Assurance exchanged 13.4 million equities valued at N35.2 million.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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