Economy
Stock Market Begins 2021 on High Note, Gains N458bn
By Dipo Olowookere
The first trading session of the new year, 2021, on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) started on a positive note on Monday, January 4.
Business Post reports that the bourse closed 2.18 per cent higher during the session as a result of sustained interest in local equities by investors.
All the sectors of the market closed in the green territory yesterday with the industrial goods index leading the pack, rising by 4.66 per cent at the close of trading activities.
The insurance sector appreciated by 4.39 per cent, the banking space grew by 3.68 per cent, the consumer goods counter improved by 1.41 per cent, while the oil/gas space appreciated by 0.09 per cent.
When the market wrapped up the day by 2:30pm, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 876.67 points to settle at 41,147.39 points versus 40,270.72 points it ended the previous session.
Also, the market capitalisation grew by N458 billion to finish at N21.515 trillion as against N21.057 trillion it closed at the last trading session of 2020.
Despite the gains recorded on Monday, the level of activity waned as the trading volume dropped 70.18 per cent to 211.9 million shares from 710.7 million shares, the trading value reduced by 86.04 per cent to N1.4 billion from N10.1 billion, while the number of deals went down by 21.79 per cent to 3,438 deals from 4,396 deals.
The huge trade in the shares of AIICO Insurance continued on Monday at the exchange, closing as the most active stock after trading 87.5 million shares worth N99.0 million.
FCMB sold 19.7 million shares valued at N60.1 million, Transcorp transacted 12.8 million equities for N12.6 million, Lafarge Africa exchanged 10.0 million stocks for N223.0 million, while Access Bank traded 9.6 million shares for N85.4 million.
Only two stocks depreciated yesterday and they were FCMB and Caverton. The former lost 20 kobo to finish at N3.13 per unit, while the latter depreciated by 7 kobo to close at N1.98 per share.
However, a total of 33 equities ended on the gainers’ chart during the session and the table was led by BUA Cement, which gained N7.65 to settle at N85 per share.
Lafarge Africa rose by N1.90 to close at N22.95 per unit, GTBank grew by N1.15 to sell at N33.50 per share, Flour Mills appreciated by 95 kobo to quote at N26.95 per unit, while Dangote Sugar improved by 90 kobo to close at N18.50 per share.
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