Economy
Zenith Bank, MTN, 20 Others Bring Back Bulls to Stock Market
By Dipo Olowookere
The bulls made a return to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday after they were chased out by profit-takers, who brought in bears to devour the market.
At the equity market yesterday, gains in some large-cap stocks propelled the local bourse to a 0.38 per cent growth, which reduced the year-to-date loss to 4.92 per cent.
It equally boosted the All-Share Index (ASI) by 96.06 per cent to 25,520.97 points from 25,424.91 points and jerked up the market capitalisation by N50 billion to N13.314 trillion from N13.264 trillion.
Business Post observed that the growth witnessed yesterday was as a result of demand for the shares of some tier-one banks, which proposed the payment of interim dividend a few days ago.
As the qualification date for the cash reward is getting closer, dividend hunters have started to pick them up after their prices went low in the previous sessions.
At the close of business, Zenith Bank led the gainers’ chart, which had 22 members on Thursday, after adding 55 kobo to its share value to settle at N16.95 per unit.
MTN Nigeria gained 50 kobo to close at N120 per share, GTBank appreciated by 45 kobo to sell for N24.75 per unit, C&I Leasing improved by 30 kobo to trade at N3.85 per share, while Access Bank grew by 25 kobo to quote at N6.75 per unit.
On the losers’ log, which had 12 members, Seplat took the first spot after shedding N10 to close at N390 per share, while Fidson depreciated by 18 kobo to quote at N3.80 per share.
Custodian Investment declined by 15 kobo to sell for N4.80 per share, FCMB dropped 11 kobo to settle at N2.15 per share, while Africa Prudential decreased by 8 kobo to sell for N4.30 per share.
At the market on Thursday, a total of 236.5 million stocks worth N1.7 billion exchanged hands in 3,251 deals compared with the 269.6 million shares valued at N2.9 billion traded in 4,155 deals on Wednesday. This indicated 12.29 per cent decline in the trading volume, 42.62 per cent drop in the trading value and 21.76 per cent reduction in the number of deals yesterday.
Zenith Bank closed the session as the most active stock, transacting 33.2 million units worth N546.8 million, while Fidelity Bank traded 30.0 million shares valued at N52.7 million.
Mutual Benefits traded 25.0 million equities for N5.0 million, Wema Bank exchanged 20.2 million shares for N11.0 million, while FBN Holdings traded 20.1 million stocks for N100.3 million.
For the performance of the five major sub-sectors of the market, the banking space recorded the highest growth, rising by 2.28 per cent and was followed by the consumer goods counter, which gained 0.08 per cent and the industrial goods sector, which rose by 0.02 per cent.
The insurance index lost 1.66 per cent during the trading day, while the energy counter depreciated by 1.28 per cent.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn