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Local Equities Sustain Marginal Growth on Positive Investor Sentiment

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Equities Market bearish bullish

By Dipo Olowookere

The stock market in Nigeria further closed marginally by 0.07 per cent on Thursday as investors continue to trade cautiously, with a focus now on the release of first-quarter earnings of listed firms.

Some of the big organisations have started to announce dates for their board meetings for the approval of the Q1 2021 earnings and before the end of the month, investors will have a knowledge of how the companies performed in the first three months of the year.

But before then, investors are comfortable watching the equity market from the sidelines and just cherry-pick shares with the prospects of delivering short to mid-term value.

This reflected in the level of activity, which was weak as investors traded 145.3 million stocks worth N1.6 billion in 3,525 deals compared with the 356.5 million equities worth N4.2 billion traded in 6,130 deals at the midweek trading session.

This indicated that the trading volume reduced by 59.23 per cent, the trading value went down by 62.43 per cent and the number of deals declined by 42.50 per cent.

However, at the close of business yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) slightly moved up by 25.80 points to 38,799.83 points from 38,774.03 points, while the market capitalisation appreciated by N13 billion to N20.300 trillion from N20.287 trillion.

Investor sentiment was positive as shares of 13 companies closed in green compared with the 12 that ended in the red.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance was the best-performing stock of the day with a price appreciation of 9.68 per cent to close at 34 kobo.

Japaul gained 9.43 per cent to close at 58 kobo, Oando appreciated by 5.16 per cent to N3.26, AIICO Insurance improved by 5.00 per cent to N1.26, while Zenith Bank gained 3.81 per cent to sell for N21.80.

On the flip side, Royal Exchange closed as the worst-performing equity after its value went down by 7.69 per cent to 36 kobo.

Jaiz Bank depreciated by 6.06 per cent to 62 kobo, Honeywell Flour dropped 5.04 per cent to N1.13, Linkage Assurance depleted by 4.76 per cent to 80 kobo, while Daar Communications declined by 4.76 per cent to 20 kobo.

The most active stock yesterday was FBN Holdings as it sold 21.9 million units valued at N157.2 million, with GTBank trailing for trading 20.5 million units worth N589.2 million.

Zenith Bank exchanged 17.6 million equities for N379.9 million, Access Bank transacted 8.6 million stocks worth N68.9 million, while Japaul sold 7.6 million shares for N4.3 million.

A look at the performance of the showed that the industrial goods closed flat, while the consumer goods counter lost 0.20 per cent, with the banking, insurance and energy sectors closing higher by 2.19 per cent, 0.60 per cent and 0.40 per cent respectively.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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zichis

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”

In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”

“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.

Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”

“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”

Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.

It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.

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Economy

NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors

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NERC

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.

In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).

The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.

According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.

The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”

The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.

“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.

“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”

It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.

“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”

NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares

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Dangote Refinery Crude Supply to Local Refineries

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.

The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.

Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.

“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.

Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.

In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.

“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.

He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”

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