Economy
Interest in Banking Stocks Pushes NGX Index Back to Bulls’ Zone
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited made a quick return to the bulls’ zone on Friday, rising by 0.17 per cent on the back of interest in banking stocks.
The sector witnessed a significant increase as well as transactions at the final session of the week and this was mainly due to cross deals, especially in Sterling Bank, GTCO and Stanbic IBTC Holdings, according to data sourced by Business Post.
This pushed the level of activities higher yesterday as the trading volume rose by 72.21 per cent to 277.0 million units from the previous day’s 160.9 million units.
Also, the trading value appreciated by69.19 per cent to N2.4 billion from N1.4 billion, while the number of deals depreciated by 4.45 per cent to 3,524 deals from 3,688 deals.
At the close of trades, Sterling Bank traded the highest volume of shares with 83.6 million units valued at N125.5 million, followed by FBN Holdings with 52.6 million units worth N575.5 million.
Access Bank transacted 21.5 million stocks valued at N203.5 million, Transcorp exchanged 15.6 million shares worth N16.2 million, while Stanbic IBTC traded 13.6 million equities for N530.9 million.
Three of the five key sectors of the market appreciated on Friday led by the banking space with a 1.76 per cent. The insurance sector grew by 0.83 per cent, the energy index gained 0.22 per cent, while the insurance and industrial goods counters depreciated by 0.51 per cent and 0.02 per cent respectively.
the market breadth turned positive yesterday, unlike the previous trading days as there were 13 price losers and 25 price gainers led by Wema Bank, which appreciated by 10.00 per cent to sell for 88 kobo.
Consolidated Hallmark Insurance rose by 9.26 per cent to 59 kobo, Royal Exchange gained 8.33 per cent to close at 52 kobo, Mutual Benefits Assurance jumped by 8.00 per cent to 27 kobo, while Japaul appreciated by 7.89 per cent to 41 kobo.
The losers’ gang was led on Friday by Unilever Nigeria after its value dropped 6.32 per cent to N13.35. Universal Insurance fell by 4.55 per cent to 21 kobo, NGX Group declined by 4.31 per cent to N17.75, NPF Microfinance Bank shed 3.59 per cent to trade at N1.88, while Linkage Assurance crashed by 3.51 per cent to 55 kobo.
As for the All-Share Index (ASI), it increased by 70.67 points to 42,014.50 points from 41,943.83 points, while the market capitalisation went up by N37 billion to N21.926 trillion from N21.889 trillion.
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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