Economy
NASD Market Cap Drops N8.68bn as FrieslandCampina Woes Continue
By Adedapo Adesanya
The market capitalisation of the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange lost N8.68 billion on Friday, October 16 as the general performance of the unlisted securities market plunged by 1.62 per cent.
The reduction in the total value of securities on the exchange at the final trading session of the week was as a result of the heavy losses suffered by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc.
The company, which was the day’s single price mover, slid by N8.89 or 7.11 per cent to close at N125.04 per share versus N133.93 per share it closed on Thursday.
It was the second day the stock price of the milk producer was depreciating at the market. The price of the company’s stock had risen in the past week to N140.49 per unit until recently when investors started to book profit.
Its performance today reduced the market capitalisation of the exchange to N526.63 billion from the previous session’s N535.31 billion.
Equally, it dropped the NASD Unlisted Securities Index (NSI) by 11.82 points to 716.92 points from the 728.74 points it closed on Thursday.
During the session, the trading value increased by 112.13 per cent to N27.5 million from N12.9 million, while the trading volume rose by 40.1 per cent to 219,000 units from 156,295 units.
However, the number of deals executed by investors pointed southwards by 76.9 per cent to three deals from 13 deals of the previous day.
The deals were executed on securities belonging to FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc (two deals) and the Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc (one deal).
ARM Life Plc, at the close of business on Friday, remained as the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 7.4 billion units of its shares traded for N4.6 billion. Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc trailed with 203.1 million units valued at N2.7 billion, while Food Concepts Plc was in third place after trading 128.1 million units worth N90.2 million.
In terms of the most traded equity by value (year-to-date), ARM Life Plc still maintained the top position for trading 7.4 billion units worth N4.6 billion. NDEP Plc trailed with 10.4 million units transacted for N3.2 billion, while CSCS Plc traded 203.1 million units worth N2.7 billion.
Economy
SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs
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.
Economy
Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange
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.”
Economy
FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure
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
