Economy
No Plans to Float Rights Issue—Julius Berger

By Dipo Olowookere
The management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has said it has no intention to carry out any rights issue at the moment.
At an investor forum organised by the company in Lagos, the Managing Director, Mr Lars Richter, explained that the reason is mainly because of the rise in the construction firm’s shareholders equity to N35 billion.
According to Vanguard, Mr Richter, who was represented at the event by the Finance Director, Mr Martin Brack, described 2018 business year as very successful and pivotal year for the company.
“Julius Berger successfully overcame many of the tough challenges faced in the recent past and made marked progress across all aspects of its business, moving to greater profitability and success. We don’t think it is necessary to float a rights issue at this moment as our shareholders’ equity has risen by N35 billion.”
Commenting on the 2018 financial year performance, he said the company’s revenue increased by 37 percent to N194 billion from N141 billion in 2017. The profit before tax increased by 173 percent to N10.1 billion in 2018 from N3.7 billion in 2017, while profit after tax also rose to N6.1 billion in 2018 from N2.5 billion in 2017. This represents a 144 percent increase year on year and total comprehensive income increased by 47 percent.
Similarly, he told investors that the Company recorded significant progress in its first quarter results, saying it posted revenue of N35.32 billion for the period ended March 2018 compared with N34.15 billion reported for the period ended March 2017. This represents a 3 percent increase for the comparative period in 2017. The profit before tax was N2.21 billion for the period ended March 2018, compared to a N17.1 million loss before tax reported for the period ended March 2017.
The company’s profit after tax for the period ended March 2018 was N1.49 billion compared to a N426.9 million loss after tax reported March 2017.
It recorded earnings per share of N2:23k for the period ended March 2018 compared to 7 kobo loss per share reported for the period ended March 2017.
He also said that the record making progress Julius Berger has made at the second Niger Bridge Project site reflects the company’s continued commitment to a timely completion of the project.
Economy
Shippers Council Reiterates Promise to Boosting Trade

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has reiterated its commitment to prioritising shipping activities and promoting importers and exporters in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Pius Akutah, in a statement on Wednesday, said this after a familiarisation visit to the North East Zonal Directorate in Bauchi State.
The visit marked a strategic step in assessing the activities of the council in the region and reinforcing its role in trade facilitation and port economic regulation.
“The purpose of the visit was to promote regional integration in shipping activities and support exportation.
“This aligns with the current administration’s goal of enhancing the nation’s resources through the blue economy.
“We have had interactive meeting with stakeholders aimed at advancing shipping activities in the region and the role of shippers’ association in representing the interests of importers and exporters.
“The NSC is committed to improving ease of doing business,” he said.
On the Inland Dry Ports project in Bauchi, an initiative by the state government, Mr Akutah said it was laudable as it would attract both import and export activities to the area.
Economy
UBN Property Sinks OTC Bourse by 0.48% at Midweek

By Adedapo Adesanya
UBN Property Plc further sank the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange in the red territory by 0.48 per cent on Wednesday, April 23.
The property investment company lost 7 Kobo of its share value to settle at N2.10 per unit compared with the preceding day’s price of N2.17 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the bourse went down by N9.19 billion to N1.908 trillion from N1.917 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) slumped by 105.70 points to 3,259.08 points from the previous session’s 3,274.78 points.
There was a 500.5 per cent rise in the volume of securities transacted in the midweek session to 1.05 million units from the 174,634 units traded in the previous trading day.
However, the value of transactions decreased by 9.1 per cent to N2.6 million from N2.86 million and the number of deals dropped by 31.3 per cent to 11 deals from 16 deals.
At the close of business, Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 533.9 million units worth N520.9 million, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 153.6 million units sold for N4.9 billion, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 71.2 million units valued at N24.2 million.
Okitipupa Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 153.6 million valued at N4.9 billion, followed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with the sale of 14.8 million units for N572.0 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with a turnover of 533.9 million units worth N520.9 million.
Economy
FG to Sell N1.2trn Bonds in Q2 2025

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Between April and June 2025, the federal government intends to sell bonds between N900 billion and N1.2 trillion to investors.
This information was revealed by the Debt Management Office (DMO) in its Bond Issuance Calendar for Q2 2025
The sales will take place once in a month, precisely on April 28, May 26, and June 23, according to the data released by the DMO.
It was stated that the debt office will offer the debt instrument in two maturities, with N300 billion and N400 billion offered for sale at each auction.
In April and May, the DMO will reopen the 19.30 per cent FGN APR 2029 and 19.89 per cent FGN MAY 2033 bonds, and in June, it will introduce the FGN JAN 2030 and FGN JAN 2032 and five and seven-year, respectively.
In April, the APR 2029 bond will have a remaining tenor of four years, while the MAY 2033 bond will have six years and one month left.
By May, those terms shorten to three years and eleven months, and six years, respectively. Both bonds retain their original coupon rates of 19.30 per cent and 19.89 per cent.
The DMO has also released details for its April auction. The Federal Government plans to raise N350bn through the reopening of the APR 2029 and MAY 2033 bonds.
According to the circular, N200bn will be offered in the APR 2029 and N150bn in the MAY 2033. The auction will be held on Monday, April 28, with settlement on Wednesday, April 30.
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