Economy
Alternative Securities Exchange Weakens by 1.12%
By Adedapo Adesanya
There was a 1.12 per cent loss at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange on Friday, July 19, caused by three stocks admitted on the trading platform.
First Trust Microfinance Bank Plc depreciated by 4 Kobo to end at 36 Kobo per unit compared to the previous session’s 40 Kobo per unit, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc declined by 50 Kobo to wrap the final session of the week at N20.00 per share versus the previous day’s N20.50 per share, and Aradel Holdings Plc depleted by N105.11 to quote at N4,726.11 per unit, in contrast to Thursday’s closing price of N4,831.22 per unit.
The losses posted by the trio could not be encumbered by Purple Real Estate Plc, which gained 62 Kobo to end at N6.70 per share compared with the previous day’s N6.17 per share.
Consequently, the market capitalisation of the bourse moderated by N11.81 billion to close at N2.032 trillion versus the N2.055 trillion recorded a day earlier, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went down by 8.61 points to end the day at 1,483.28 points as against 1,500.03 points it recorded at the previous session.
During the session, the volume of securities traded at the bourse slumped by 47.7 per cent to 250,882 units from the 479,556 units transacted at the last session.
However, the amount spent on stocks at the session rose by 31.5 per cent to N497.1 million from the N377.9 million recorded in the preceding session, and the number of deals carried out went up by 7.1 per cent to 30 deals from the 28 deals printed in the previous day.
Capital Hotels Plc remained the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 259.6 million worth N1.3 billion, trailed by Afriland Properties Plc with 230.3 million units worth N4.1 billion, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with the sale of 218.8 million units for N46.1 million.
Aradel Holdings Plc closed the day as the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 6.9 million units valued at N19.5 billion, followed by Afriland Properties Plc with 230.4 million units worth N4.1 billion, and CSCS Plc with 101.9 million units valued at N2.5 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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