By Adedapo Adesanya

FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria influenced the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange to record its fourth consecutive growth this week by 0.21 per cent on Thursday, May 7.

The manufacturer of the popular Peak Milk and Three Crowns gained N10.26 during the session to quote at N127.06 per share compared with the previous day’s N116.80 per share.

This boosted the market capitalisation of the NASD OTC stock exchange by N5.26 billion to N2.459 trillion from N2.454 trillion, and raised the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 8.80 points to 4,110.38 points from Wednesday’s 4,101.58 points.

Business Post reports that the bourse recorded two price losers yesterday, led by Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, which dipped by N2.92 to N73.08 per unit from N76.00 per unit, and UBN Property Plc lost 3 Kobo to sell at N2.20 per share compared with midweek’s closing price of N2.23 per share.

On Thursday, the volume of securities transacted by investors fell by 26.4 per cent to 372,916 units from 506,651 units, the value of securities slid by 31.8 per cent to N30.6 million from N44.8 million, and the number of deals decreased by 27.0 per cent to 27 deals from 37 deals.

When trading activities closed for the day, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by CSCS Plc with 60.5 million units traded for N4.1 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.8 million units exchanged for N1.9 billion.

GNI Plc also finished the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units valued at N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units transacted for N1.2 billion.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The positive performance of the Naira against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) was extended on Thursday, May 7.

During the trading day, the Nigerian currency further improved against the greenback by N1.49 or 0.11 per cent to N1,355.85/$1 from the previous day’s N1,357.34/$1.

It was a similar situation for the Naira against the Pound Sterling in the official market. It gained N2.02 to trade at N1,845.18/£1 versus Wednesday’s closing rate of N1,847.20/£1, and against the Euro, it appreciated by N1.74 to sell for N1,593.26/€1, in contrast to midweek’s rate of N1,595.00/€1.

But at the black market, the domestic currency traded flat at N1,380/$1, and at the GTBank FX desk, it remained unchanged at N1,375/$1.

The local currency has gained weight in the past trading sessions as a result of improved forex liquidity, especially from foreign portfolio investors, exporters ‌and oil companies, amid moderate demand. Nigerian yields are still attractive for foreign investors, serving as a basis for more (FX) flows coming to Nigeria.

While continued confidence in the FX reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improved liquidity conditions continue to support the Naira, the external reserves have been on a downward trend. Available data showed that it dropped $7.73 million, from $48.33 billion to $48.32 billion, as of May 6, 2026.

As for the cryptocurrency market, prices were largely pointing south due to renewed US-Iran tensions, but it remains higher on the week alongside mostly resilient global risk assets.

Funding rates for Bitcoin (BTC) futures have been negative for 67 straight days, creating a powerful setup for a potential short squeeze, with the digital coin losing 1.7 per cent to sell at $79,667.70.

Further, Dogecoin (DOGE) fell by 4.2 per cent to $0.1062, Ethereum (ETH) declined by 2.2 per cent to $2,279.71, Ripple (XRP) slipped by 1.8 per cent to $1.38, Cardano (ADA) depreciated by 1.7 per cent to $0.2619, Binance Coin (BNB) slid by 1.1 per cent to $639.32, and Solana (SOL) went down by 0.4 per cent to $88.22.

However, TRON (TRX) increased its value by 0.9 per cent to $0.3449, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) traded flat at $1.00 each.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The sale of FGN savings bond for May 2026 will close today, Friday, May 8, Business Post reports.

The exercise commenced on Monday, with the Debt Management Office (DMO) offering the debt instrument in two maturities of two years and three years.

According to the circular from the DMO, the shorter paper is being offered at a coupon of 13.525 per cent, while the longer note is 14.525 per cent. The interest on the investment is paid to investors every quarter.

The retail bond is sold at a unit price of N1,000, subject to a minimum subscription of N5,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter, subject to a maximum subscription of N50 million.

The FGN savings bond is backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria and charged upon the general assets of the country.

It qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act, and is tax-free as it also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) and Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) for tax exemption for pension funds.

After the exercise, the bonds are taken to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited for listing, allowing investors who want to liquidate the paper before maturity to sell to others at the secondary market.