Economy
Nigerian Equities Recover from Four-Day Sell-Offs, up by 1.72%
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigerian shares snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday ahead of the Easter break, which begins tomorrow, to appreciate by 1.72 percent.
This came as earnings updates continued to impress investors, who had waited patiently for massive release of results today, being the last day for release of 2017 earnings as well as the last trading day of the month of March 2018.
Earlier results released by some market heavyweights had failed to inspire investors as most of them churned out what traders were already expecting with no surprises.
Business Post reports that today’s trading was positive with investors embarking on bargain hunting as they continue to pick up stocks, which had suffered price depreciation in the last four days due to sell-offs.
It was observed that gains recorded by stocks in the consumer goods, oil and gas and banking sectors were enough to overturn losses recorded by Lafarge, Zenith Bank and C&I Leasing.
At the close of business on Thursday, the All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 702.43 points to settle at 41,504.51 points, while the market capitalisation finished at N14.993 trillion after increasing by N252.9 billion today.
In addition, the year-to-date returns expanded to 8.53 percent, but the market breadth ended negative with 23 stocks appreciating in value against 27 equities, which declined.
Nestle Nigeria led the gainers’ table today after adding N39.70k to its share value to close at N1380 per share.
It was trailed by Total Nigeria, which appreciated by N10.70k to finish at N249 per share, and Mobil Nigeria, which garnered N8.80k to end at N185.80k per share.
Dangote Cement rose by N7 to settle at N260 per share, while Nigerian Breweries increased by N2 to close at N130 per share.
On the flip side, Lafarge emerged the heaviest price loser, going down by N1.10k to settle at N45.30k per share.
It was followed by CCNN, which fell by 95k to close at N18.70k per share, and Zenith Bank, which went down by 50k to end at N29.30k per share.
Champion Breweries declined by 18k to finish at N2.40k per share, while C&I Leasing also lost 18k to wrap the day at N1.72k per share.
The total volume of shares traded today by investors declined sharply by 49 percent, while the value inched up slightly by two percent.
A total of 272.6 million shares exchanged hands in 4,368 deals worth N3.72 billion compared with the 535.2 million equities transacted the previous session in 4,717 deals valued at N3.66 billion.
Zenith Bank emerged the most active stock at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday, trading 45.3 million shares worth N1.4 billion.
It was followed by Skye Bank, which sold 33.9 million units valued at N26 million, and UBA, which exchanged 22.5 million equities for N263.5 million.
Fidelity Bank transacted 16.3 million shares for N41.9 million, while Access Bank sold 15.7 million units worth N175.7 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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