Economy
NSE: Banking, Consumer Goods, Agric Stocks to Perform Well in 2018—FSDH
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos-based asset management and financial advisory giant, FSDH Group, has predicted that stocks in the banking, agriculture, consumer goods and building materials sectors should fetch investors good returns in 2018.
In its Weekly Insights tagged ‘Equity Market Ready for Another Rally in 2018,’ the research arm of the firm also said some factors that boosted the local bourse last year would “support the market rally in 2018.”
Last year, The Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index (NSE ASI) closed the year 2017 at 38,243.19 points, representing an appreciation of 42.3%. This is the first year-on-year(y-o-y) appreciation since 2014.
The NSE Banking and Consumer Goods Indices recorded the highest appreciation in 2017, growing by 73.3% and 37% respectively.
The following stocks recorded the highest return in terms of capital appreciation in 2017: Dangote Sugar (227%), International Breweries (195%), Fidelity Bank (193%), Fidson Healthcare (189%) and Dangote Flour Mills (186%).
FSDH Research said it expects the recovery witnessed in 2017 to continue this year.
“The quarterly analysis of the equity market in the last seven years shows that it appreciated consistently in Q2.
“We attribute the appreciation in Q2 to the release of the Full Year earnings and corporate actions during the period. The equity market dropped in Q1 every year in the last seven years, except in 2013. The depreciation in Q1 may reflect the delay in taking investment decisions at the beginning of the year,” FSDH said.
On the factors that contributed to last year’s positive performance, the financial advisory company said included “the increase in the price of crude oil; introduction of the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I &E) Foreign Exchange window leading to stability in the foreign exchange market; improved corporate earnings and the drop in the yields on the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs).”
Commenting further on this year’s outlook, FSDH said, “We observed a strong correlation between the historical movements in the NSE ASI and the crude oil price (Bonny Light). The current consensus is that the average price of crude oil will be marginally higher in 2018 than 2017. The inflation rate should decline further in 2018, barring adjustments to the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the electricity tariff.
“The drop in the yields on fixed income securities should also lead to portfolio realignment towards the equity market.
“FSDH Research believes the expected drop in the equity market in Q1 2018 is an opportunity for strategic investment in the market ahead of the expected rally in Q2.
“The following sectors should perform well in 2018: Banking; Building Materials; Consumer Goods and Agriculture.”
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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