Economy
Bank Stocks Drive N37bn Gain at Local Bourse Friday
By Dipo Olowookere
Equities at the local bourse appreciated by N37 billion on Friday on the back of the sterling performance of stocks in the banking sector, especially the big boys.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 0.28 per cent higher during the trading session, with the year-to-date loss reducing to 4.66 per cent at the close of transactions.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 70.98 points to 25,591.95 points from 25,520.97 points while the market capitalisation grew by N37 billion N13.351 trillion from N13.314 trillion.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings was the highest price riser at the market, gaining N1.50 to settle at N40 per share, while Lafarge Africa appreciated by 60 kobo to finish at N12.80 per unit.
Flour Mills gained 35 kobo to sell for N19.50 per share, Zenith Bank rose by 25 kobo to quote at N17.20 per share, while GTBank improved by 25 kobo to trade at N25 per unit.
On the losers’ chart, CAP was the heaviest price loser, shedding N1.70 to settle at N15.75 per unit, while Julius Berger lost N1.40 to quote at N15.60 per share.
Ardova depreciated by N1.25 to close at N11.35 per unit, Guinness Nigeria fell by 50 kobo to quote at N13.50 per share, while International Breweries shed 15 kobo to sell for N3.50 per unit.
Business Post reports that the banking sector was the main driver of the growth witnessed yesterday, appreciating by 0.76 per cent and was trailed by the insurance sector, which grew by 0.45 per cent, while the industrial goods space appreciated by 0.25 per cent.
The decliners during the trading session were the consumer goods and energy sectors, which depreciated by 0.22 per cent and 0.04 per cent respectively.
The trading volume reduced on Friday by 10.04 per cent to 212.7 million shares from 236.5 million shares, while the trading value increased by 38.27 per cent to N2.3 billion from N1.7 billion, with the number of deals declining by 0.37 per cent to 3,239 deals from 3,251 deals.
The most active stock of the session was Custodian Investment, which traded 63.1 million units valued at N302.9 million, while Zenith Bank, which followed, transacted 17.7 million stocks valued at N303.6 million.
Guinness Nigeria traded 13.7 million shares for N185.1 million, Transcorp sold 9.3 million equities for N5.6 million, while African Alliance Insurance transacted 8 million equities worth N1.6 million.
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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