Economy
SEC Proposes New Cost Structure to Boost Capital Market
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is intensifying efforts to deepen the nation’s capital market by ensuring that more companies raise funds and get listed in the market.
The new issue market has been relatively dormant with initial public offering (IPO) drying up in recent times.
Although the market has witnessed the listing of two companies this year, the prospect of more companies coming to list is not very bright. However, in a move expected to attract more activities in the market, SEC has proposed a reduction in the cost of primary equity and fixed income issues.
However, the commission is seeking the contributions of stakeholders in the market before making the new fees operational.
In the proposed cost structure, the total primary fixed income issuance fees will be 2.293 percent, down from the current 3.9375 percent.
Similarly, primary equities issuance fees will be 2.833 percent as against 3.17 percent.
SEC will charge issuers 0.275 percent for any N500 million to be raised, as against 0.30 percent currently charge.
The next N500 million will attract 0.225 percent fees, while balance above N1 billion will attract 0.15 percent commission.
Also, NSE will charge listing fee of 0.25 percent on the Main Board subject to maximum fee of N200 million.
Listing fee for the Premium Board will be 0.25 percent of offer size subject to maximum fee of N400 million, while listing on ASeM attract flat fees of N100,000.
For fixed income primary issuance fees, the SEC is expected to charge 0.15 percent on the first N500 million being raised by an issuer compared to 0.15 percent of offer size previously charged.
The next N500 million will as well attract 0.145 percent fee, while balance above N1 billion will attract 0.1425 percent fee.
For the NSE, there is zero fee for companies already having equity listing, compared to 0.15 percent of offer size originally paid by issuers.
Issuing houses are expected to charge 1.35 percent for every initial N1 billion being raised by companies from the equities market, just as issuing houses are expected to charge 1.35 percent of offer size.
The next N1 billion will attract 1.225 percent fee, while balance over N2 billion will cost the issuer 1.15 percent of the offer size.
Furthermore, the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS)’ commission on N5million is fixed at 0.0075 percent of the offer size as against 0.01 percent currently charged.
But companies without equity listing are expected to pay 0.0375 percent issuance fee. While that of CSCS is capped at N5 million at 0.0075 percent of the offer size, stockbrokers are expected to collect 0.13 percent of offer size as fee.
However, the commission proposed 900 percent increase in registration filing fees for all categories of Capital Market Operators (CMOs), from N5,000 to N50,000, while processing fee is pegged at N200,000.
According to the proposed rule, registration for stock/commodities exchanges, bankers to an issuer, clearing and settlement agency/depository agency will go up by 900 percent from N100,000 to N1 million respectively, registration for an over-the-counter market is being raised to N1 million, while that of inter broker/dealer and capital trade points have been pegged at N500,000 respectively, among others.
SEC has given stakeholders up to March 28, to send in their contributions to the proposed fees structure before it will become operational.
ThisDay
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited witnessed Santa Claus rally on Wednesday after it closed higher by 0.12 per cent.
Strong demand for Nigerian stocks lifted the All-Share Index (ASI) by 185.70 points during the pre-Christmas trading session to 153,539.83 points from 153,354.13 points.
In the same vein, the market capitalisation expanded at midweek by N118 billion to N97.890 trillion from the preceding day’s N97.772 trillion.
Investor sentiment on Customs Street remained bullish after closing with 36 appreciating equities and 22 depreciating equities, indicating a positive market breadth index.
Guinness Nigeria chalked up 9.98 per cent to trade at N318.60, Austin Laz improved by 9.97 per cent to N3.20, International Breweries expanded by 9.85 per cent to N14.50, Transcorp Hotels rose by 9.83 per cent to N170.90, and Aluminium Extrusion grew by 9.73 per cent to N16.35.
On the flip side, Legend Internet lost 9.26 per cent to close at N4.90, AXA Mansard shrank by 7.14 per cent to N13.00, Jaiz Bank declined by 5.45 per cent to N4.51, MTN Nigeria weakened by 5.21 per cent to N504.00, and NEM Insurance crashed by 4.74 per cent to N24.10.
Yesterday, a total of 1.8 billion shares valued at N30.1 billion exchanged hands in 19,372 deals versus the 677.4 billion shares worth N20.8 billion traded in 27,589 deals in the previous session, implying a slump in the number of deals by 29.78 per cent, and a surge in the trading volume and value by 165.72 per cent and 44.71 per cent apiece.
Abbey Mortgage Bank was the most active equity for the day after it sold 1.1 billion units worth N7.1 billion, Sterling Holdings traded 127.1 million units valued at N895.9 million, Custodian Investment exchanged 115.0 million units for N4.5 billion, First Holdco transacted 40.9 million units valued at N2.2 billion, and Access Holdings traded 38.2 million units worth N783.3 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited, has extended warm Yuletide greetings to Nigerians as families and communities worldwide come together to celebrate the Christmas season and usher in a new year filled with hope and renewed possibilities.
In a statement, Rite Foods encouraged consumers to savour these special occasions with its wide range of quality brands, including the 13 variants of Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, premium Bigi Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drink in its refreshing flavours, the Fearless Energy Drink, and its tasty sausage rolls — all produced in a world-class facility with modern technology and global best practices.
Speaking on the season, the Managing Director of Rite Foods Limited, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, said the company remains deeply committed to enriching the lives of consumers beyond refreshment. According to him, the Yuletide period underscores the values of generosity, unity, and gratitude, which resonate strongly with the company’s philosophy.
“Christmas is a season that reminds us of the importance of giving, togetherness, and gratitude. At Rite Foods, we are thankful for the continued trust of Nigerians in our brands. This season strengthens our resolve to consistently deliver quality products that bring joy to everyday moments while contributing positively to society,” Mr Adegunwa stated.
He noted that the company’s steady progress in brand acceptance, operational excellence, and responsible business practices reflects a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and responsiveness to consumer needs. These efforts, he said, have further strengthened Rite Foods’ position as a proudly Nigerian brand with growing relevance and impact across the country.
Mr Adegunwa reaffirmed that Rite Foods will continue to invest in research and development, efficient production processes, and initiatives that support communities, while maintaining quality standards across its product portfolio.
“As the year comes to a close, Rite Foods Limited wishes Nigerians a joyful Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year filled with peace, progress, and shared success.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira closed the pre-Christmas trading day positive after it gained N6.61 or 0.46 per cent against the US Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Wednesday, December 24, trading at N1,443.38/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,449.99/$1.
Equally, the Naira appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the same market segment by N1.30 to close at N1,949.57/£1 versus Tuesday’s closing price of N1,956.03/£1 and gained N2.94 on the Euro to finish at N1,701.31/€1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,707.65/€1.
At the parallel market, the local currency maintained stability against the greenback yesterday at N1,485/$1 and also traded flat at the GTBank forex counter at N1,465/$1.
Further support came as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funded international payments with additional $150 million sales to banks and authorised dealers at the official window.
This helped eased pressure on the local currency, reflecting a steep increase in imports. Market participants saw a sequence of exchange rate swings amidst limited FX inflows.
Last week, the apex bank led the pack in terms of FX supply into the market as total inflows fell by about 50 per cent week on week from $1.46 billion in the previous week.
Foreign portfolio investors’ inflows ranked behind exporters and the CBN supply, but there was support from non-bank corporate Dollar volume.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it witnessed a slight recovery as tokens struggled to attract either risk-on enthusiasm or defensive flows.
The inertia follows a sharp reversal earlier in the quarter. A heavy selloff in October pulled Bitcoin and other coins down from record levels, leaving BTC roughly down by 30 per cent since that period and on track for its weakest quarterly performance since the second quarter of 2022. But on Wednesday, its value went up by 0.9 per cent to $87,727.35.
Further, Ripple (XRP) appreciated by 1.7 per cent to $1.87, Cardano (ADA) expanded by 1.2 per cent to $0.3602, Dogecoin (DOGE) grew by 1.1 per cent to $0.1282, Litecoin (LTC) also increased by 1.1 per cent to $76.57, Solana (SOL) soared by 1.0 per cent to $122.31, Binance Coin (BNB) rose by 0.6 per cent to $842.37, and Ethereum (ETH) added 0.3 per cent to finish at $2,938.83, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 each.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn