Economy
Shares Jump 0.50% Day After CBN Rate Cut to 11.50%
By Dipo Olowookere
The news of the slashing of the benchmark interest rate in the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to 11.50 per cent from 12.50 per cent on Tuesday excited investors at the stock market on Wednesday.
On the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the level of activity improved significantly and this increased the number of price gainers as the traders started mopping some stocks trading at low prices.
A total of 414.2 million stocks worth N6.3 billion were traded in the midweek session in 3,793 deals in contrast to the previous day’s 262.0 million equities worth N4.4 billion transacted in 3,254 deals, representing a rise in the trading volume, value and number of deals by 58.05 per cent, 42.74 per cent and 16.56 per cent respectively.
At the close of transactions, the equity market appreciated by 0.50 per cent, reducing the year-to-date loss to 3.95 per cent.
Also, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 128.12 points to 25,783.02 points from 25,654.90 points, while the market capitalisation grew by N67 billion to N13.475 trillion from N13.408 trillion.
In the same vein, all the five major sub-sectors of the market gained on Wednesday, with the energy sector closing as the best performer, rising by 2.02 per cent.
The consumer goods sector appreciated by 1.35 per cent, the insurance counter rose by 1.09 per cent, the banking space grew by 0.65 per cent, while the industrial goods index gained 0.09 per cent.
Business Post reports that the highest price gainer yesterday was Seplat, which added N15 to its share value to settle at N400 per share and was followed by Nigerian Breweries, which gained N1.50 to finish at N43.50 per unit.
MTN Nigeria garnered 90 kobo to close at N123.90 per share, Mobil Oil improved by 60 kobo to sell for N193.10 per share, while Flour Mills increased its share price by 35 kobo to end at N20 per unit.
The worst-performing stock on Wednesday was Eterna, which lost 18 kobo to close at N2.50 per share and was trailed by BOC Gas after losing 11 kobo to quote at N4.25 per unit.
Africa Prudential depreciated by 10 kobo to sell for N4.35 each, NPF Microfinance Bank lost 8 kobo to trade at N1.22 per share, while Custodian Investment went down by 5 kobo to N4.80 per unit.
The most active stock of the session was Sterling Bank as it traded 85.2 million units worth N98.0 million and was closely followed by FBN Holdings, which transacted 82.7 million shares worth N413.7 million.
Access Bank traded 58.2 million equities valued at N366.7 million, Zenith Bank exchanged 28.5 million stocks worth N480.2 million, while MTN Nigeria traded 25.7 million shares for N3.1 billion.
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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