Economy
Analysts Project Wema Bank Share Price to Hit N1, to Pay Dividend
By Dipo Olowookere
There is every possibility that Wema Bank Plc will offer a cash reward to its shareholders in the current financial year ending next month.
This is according to analysts at Meristem Research and the dividend payment is likely to be 7 kobo, Business Post gathered from a report released by the brokerage company.
For the first time in 14 years, Wema Bank paid its shareholders a dividend and this was in 2019 for the 2018 accounting year. The amount paid was 3 kobo, though very insignificant, investors were happy that it was a sign of better things to come.
If the forecast of Meristem Research is right, it would be 4 kobo or 133.3 per cent higher than the amount paid for the 2018 fiscal year, which the shareholders would gladly appreciate.
Also, the firm has projected that the share price of the mid-level Nigerian lender should reach N1 per unit on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited by the end of this year.
On Monday, November 15, 2021, Wema Bank share price was 83 kobo, 1.2 per cent lower than the preceding day’s closing price of 84 kobo.
In the report, Meristem projected that in 2021 full-year, Wema will likely have earnings per share (EPS) of 23 kobo “from which we expect the bank to pay a dividend of 7 kobo (without impairing capital adequacy) based on an estimated payout ratio of 30 per cent.
“This implies a dividend yield of 8.14 per cent (based on the closing price of the ticker on November 9, 2021). Our December 31, 2021 target price for the ticker is N1.00.”
Recall that last week, Business Post reported that Wema Bank was planning to recapitalise and was looking to merge with another bank or acquire a financial technology (fintech) company.
The financial performance of the company has been impressive so far this year with the interest income growing by 11.11 per cent, with higher fee-based income contributing to the 9.08 per cent rise in gross earnings to N63.08 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Proprietary Investment firm, VFD Group Plc, recorded a 1,202 per cent rise in its Profit Before Tax (PBT) in the 2024 financial year, closing December 31, 2024, at N11.2 billion.
This marked a turnaround after VFD Group reported a pre-tax loss of N1 billion in 2023 due to macroeconomic headwinds which affected a lot of businesses locally and globally.
Net investment income surged by 95 per cent to N59.0 billion despite a spike in investment expenses to N15.5 billion from N7.4 billion in 2023.
Other metrics showed that net revenue increased by 90 per cent to N71.0 billion, while operating profit grew by an impressive 104 per cent to N48.8 billion.
The firm, listed on the main board of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, noted that the development showcased exceptional growth.
“The journey to this milestone was paved with strategic initiatives and a relentless pursuit of innovation,” it added in a statement on Friday.
The company holds investments in over 20 portfolio businesses spanning key sectors such as financial services, banking, market infrastructure, capital markets, technology, real estate, and hospitality.
As of April 22, 2025, VFD Group’s market capitalisation surged by 116 per cent to hit N121.6 billion from N56.2 billion year to date.
“These outstanding results reflect the success of our team’s efforts. As VFD Group looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders,” the statement added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About $90 billion is expected to be generated in economic value by 2035 from new strategies developed by the Nigerian government for agribusiness expansion and livestock transformation.
To achieve this, the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, has approved the establishment of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board.
At the NEC meeting on Thursday in Abuja, steps to reposition Nigeria’s economy and tackle insecurity at its roots were discussed by the participants, which included the governors of the 36 states of the federation.
The new regulatory body for the cotton, textile and garment sector of Nigeria will have governors representing the six geo-political zones, with Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Budget and Economic Planning, and Industry, Trade and Investment as members.
It would be domiciled in the presidency, with representation of the relevant public sector stakeholders, and funded from the Textile Import Levy being collected by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), though it would be private sector-driven.
“Nigeria is a nation where cotton can thrive in 34 states. Yet our production level remains a fraction of our potential.
“We currently produce only 13,000 metric tons, while we continue to import textiles worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This is not just an economic imbalance. It is an invitation to act,” he added.
“Our goal is not just regulation. It is a revival. This is our opportunity to re-industrialise, to empower communities, and to restore pride in local production,” the VP stated.
Also at the meeting yesterday, the council approved the establishment of the Green Imperative Project (GIP), with a national office in Abuja and regional offices across the six geopolitical zones.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange closed higher by 0.55 per cent on Thursday, April 24 after the prices of three stocks on the platform ended in green.
This added N10.48 billion to the market capitalisation of the bourse, closing at N1.918 trillion compared with the N1.908 trillion it ended in the preceding session.
In the same vein, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went up during the session by 17.90 points to 3,276.98 points from the previous session’s 3,259.08 points.
The market was dominated by bargain-hunting activities due to renewed investor confidence. None of the securities on the NASD ended in red yesterday.
However, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gained N1.97 to close at N21.71 per unit compared with Wednesday’s price of N19.74 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc appreciated by 15 Kobo to end at N37.95 per share, in contrast to midweek’s value of N37.80 per share, and Geo-Fluids Plc grew by 8 Kobo to settle at N1.70 per unit versus the preceding day’s price of N1.62 per unit.
During the trading day, the volume of securities transacted by the market participants increased by 19,558.9 per cent to 206.2 million units from 1.05 million units, the value of transactions jumped by 13,509.2 per cent to N354.1 million from N2.6 million, and the number of deals rose by 245.5 per cent to 38 deals from 11 deals.
When trading activities finished for the day, Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 533.9 million units sold for N520.9 million, followed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 250.9 million units worth N441.0 million, and Okitipupa Plc with 153.6 million units valued at N4.9 billion.
Also, Okitipupa Plc remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 153.6 million units valued at N4.9 billion, trailed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 14.9 million units worth N573.2 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 533.9 million units valued at N520.9 million.
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