Economy
NGX Group Optimises Profitability as PAT Grows 22.2%
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group has shown that it is one organisation that can create value for investors, going by the results of its full-year ended December 31, 2021.
About a year ago, the company transformed its operations by being demutualisation and it eventually listed its stocks on the NGX Limited by introduction, allowing members of the public to have an opportunity to be part of the firm.
Analysis of its financial statements indicated that in the year under review, the gross earnings rose by 13 per cent to N6.8 billion from N6.0 billion, with revenue expanding by 14.9 per cent to N5.8 billion from N5 billion.
The growth in revenue was influenced by a 24.8 per cent jump in listing fees to N757.4 million from N606.9 million in 2020, a 4.9 per cent increase in treasury investment income and a 2.1 per cent expansion in transaction fee.
It was observed that the group’s profit before tax (PBT) increased by 25.4 per cent to N2.4 billion while its profit after tax (PAT) rose by 22.2 per cent to N2.3 billion from N1.84 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020.
Further analysis of the NGX Group’s result revealed that its return on equity grew by 70 basis points to 6.6 per cent while its return on assets stood at 5.9 per cent from 5.2 per cent recorded in 2020.
Speaking on the results, the Group CEO of NGX Group, Mr Oscar Onyema, explained that the organisation went through a restructuring of its business to refine its business model, with an increased focus on expanding into new business areas, which is reflective in the activities of the group.
He said last year, the firm focused on formulating and executing the strategy of the holding company, which includes building multiple businesses across the entire capital market value chain with diversified revenues as well as strategic and operational flexibility.
“Gross earnings growth of 13.0% coupled with after-tax profit growth of 22.2% is an encouraging start to our journey as an investment holding company,” he said.
“Going forward our focus remains: on strengthening our capital structure; being active in every sphere of the capital markets value chain in Nigeria, but also growing our presence across Africa as a leading integrated market infrastructure provider; optimising our current investments and making new strategic investments, and recruiting top talents to execute our strategy.
“We aim to continue to create value, optimise profitability and build a sustainable business in alignment with stakeholders’ interest,” Mr Onyema said.
In his remarks, the NGX Group Chairman, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, stated, “We are delighted at the progress reported for FY 2021 across strategic, operational and financial aspects of the group’s business.
“The demutualisation and listing by introduction were significant and unprecedented milestones for the group and we would like to thank our stakeholders for their support and trust in the group’s quest to unlock its true value and diversify its operations and product offerings.
“All within one year, we demutualised, restructured, and listed the business with the Holdco being the investment holding company with three operating subsidiaries and other associate companies and equity investments.
“The board has during the year under review, focused broadly on adapting to the enhanced corporate governance demands following the change in organizational form, whilst exercising its oversight functions on strategy development and execution and drilling down on emerging value accretive opportunities presented by the demutualisation.
“In 2022, the aim is to continue to strengthen the NGX Group brand to make it a globally respected and a regional and national significant economic actor.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship Development in Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Ms. Chalya Shagaya, has commended Legend Internet Plc for listing its shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Last month, the internet service provider (ISP) listed about two billion stocks valued at N12.4 billion on the local bourse, becoming the first indefinite telecom operator in Nigeria to do so, reflects strong investor confidence in nation’s digital economy.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the organisation, Ms Shagaya praised the team led by Mr Bruce Ayonote for the achievement.
“The listing of Legend Internet Plc is not just a corporate achievement, it is a national win. It sends a powerful message to indigenous digital and tech companies that the capital markets are within reach,” Ms Shagaya stated.
The President’s aide further highlighted the alignment of this success with the Renewed Hope Agenda of her boss, emphasising the administration’s dedication to building a business-friendly environment driven by digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.
She also applauded the tech firm for its inclusivity efforts, noting that the majority of its executive and senior members of staff are women, describing this as a progressive example of gender representation in leadership, which aligns with national goals for women’s inclusion in economic development.
Ms Shagaya expressed her readiness to support Legend Internet and its affiliate company, Suburban, in future initiatives, including expansion of digital infrastructure, innovation policy development, and capacity building programs for entrepreneurs.
She also stressed the ripple effect such achievements could have on the broader ecosystem, from enhancing local content development and broadband access to creating jobs and fostering innovation, encouraging the organisation to further engage in mentorship, tech training, and entrepreneurship support initiatives.
“Legend Internet’s story is one of vision, resilience, leadership, and inclusivity. It is the kind of story this administration is proud to champion and we look forward to partnering with more companies that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” she stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a 0.64 per cent increase on Monday, May 12, with its total value rising by N12.46 billion to N1.947 trillion from the N1.935 trillion quoted at the preceding session, as the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went up by 21.28 points to 3,326.06 points from 3,3204.74 points.
The expansion recorded during the first trading session of the week was influenced by price appreciation in the shares of three companies admitted to the platform.
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) went up by N2.25 to trade at N24.85 per unit versus last Friday’s N22.60 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc improved its value by 40 Kobo to settle at N40.43 per share from the previous closing value of N40.03, per share, and Geo-Fluids Plc added 10 Kobo to end at N1.91 per unit, on contrast to the preceding session’s N1.81 per unit.
During the trading day, the volume of shares bought and sold by the market participants decreased by 99.7 per cent to 673,233 units from the 231.6 million units traded in the previous trading day, the value of securities transacted by investors moderated by 98.9 per cent to N6.3 million from N606.4 million, and the number of deals retreated by 38.6 per cent to 35 deals from 57 deals.
When trading activities finished for the day, the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis remained Impresit Bakolori Plc with a turnover of 534.0 million units worth N521.1 million, followed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 266.4 million units valued at N470.5 million, and Okitipupa Plc with 153.6 million units sold for N4.9 billion.
The most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis also remained Okitipupa Plc with the sale of 153.6 million units for N4.9 billion, trailed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 20.0 million units valued at N768.5 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with a turnover of 534.0 million units worth N521.1 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira closed stronger against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) by N9.35 or 0.58 per cent on Monday, May 12 at at N1,600.29/$1 compared with the N1,609.64/$1 it traded last Friday.
Similarly, the Nigerian Naira improved its value against the Pound Sterling in the official market during the trading session by N31.46 to settle at N2,114.02/£1 versus the preceding trading day’s rate of N2,145.48/£1 and appreciated against the Euro by N37.61 to sell for N1,780.81/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s value of N1,818.42/€1.
The improvement in the value of the local currency yesterday happened after a temporary relief from the US-China tensions and further commitments by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene in the market.
However, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Dollar in the black market on Monday by N5 to close at N1,630/$1 compared with the preceding session’s rate of N1,625/$1.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it was red during the trading session after the US and China agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other for 90 days.
The 90-day tariff pause gave market participants a “clear, short-term positive signal” that’s supportive for risk assets including crypto, even though headwinds could rise again without a broader deal in place once the pause expires.
According to market analysts, this is a temporary arrangement and volatility will likely return as the 90-day window approaches its end.
Dogecoin (DOGE) slumped by 6.6 per cent to sell at $0.2232, Cardano (ADA) fell by 3.0 per cent to $0.7890, Solana (SOL) went down by 2.1 per cent to $170.80, Ethereum (ETH) declined by 2.0 per cent to $2,451.16, Bitcoin (BTC) depreciated by 1.6 per cent to $102,394.53, and Binance Coin (BNB) shrank by 1.1 per cent to $648.78.
But, Ripple (XRP) gained 4.5 per cent to quote at $2.49, and Litecoin (LTC) increased its value by 1.7 per cent to $102.78, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 each.
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