By Dipo Olowookere

The three-day trading sessions of last week witnessed the exchange of 2.398 billion stocks valued at N111.480 billion in 241,313 deals on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

In the preceding week, which had five trading days, market participants bought and sold 3.875 billion stocks worth N161.757 billion in 334,745 deals.

Last week recorded shorter trading days due to public holidays declared by the federal government on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, for Eid al-Adha celebrations.

In the week, financial shares dominated with 1.656 billion units sold for N48.229 billion in 94,812 deals, contributing 69.07 per cent and 43.26 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.

Services equities followed with 265.448 million units worth ₦4.530 billion in 19,443 deals, and ICT stocks traded 101.848 million units valued at N9.163 billion in 24,858 deals.

Fidelity Bank, Access Holdings, and The Initiates accounted for 903.681 million units worth ₦19.227 billion in 22,238 deals, contributing 37.69 per cent and 17.25 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.

Business Post reports that 34 equities appreciated in the week versus 38 equities in the previous week, 51 stocks depreciated compared with 55 stocks of the previous week, and 61 shares remained unchanged, in contrast to 53 shares a week earlier.

International Energy Insurance topped the gainers’ chart after chalking up 32.55 per cent to trade at N4.52, Sovereign Trust Insurance appreciated by 20.61 per cent to N2.75, Tantalizers expanded by 13.40 per cent to N4.89, Airtel Africa soared by 10.00 per cent to N3,655.70, and NEM Insurance gained 9.67 per cent to quote at N32.90.

Conversely, Dangote Sugar topped the losers table after it shed 18.22 per cent to close at N71.15, The Initiates lost 15.98 per cent to trade at N28.40, Premier Paints declined by 10.00 per cent to N33.75, CAP also depreciated by 10.00 per cent to N179.10, and Transcorp Power crashed by 9.97 per cent to N245.50.

At the close of trades, the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.27 per cent each to 250,385.47 points and N160.509 trillion, respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher except the CG, premium, banking, AFR Bank Value, AFR Div Yield, MERI Growth, MERI Value, consumer goods, industrial goods and growth indices, which depreciated by 2.04 per cent, 0.18 per cent, 2.43 per cent, 1.57 per cent, 5.25 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 1.10 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 0.05 per cent and 1.04 per cent, respectively.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Aradel Holdings Plc has extended the filing of its 2025 audited financial statements and first-quarter 2026 unaudited financial statements after failing to meet its previously announced May 29, 2026, target.

The company disclosed in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, shareholders and the investing public that both reports will now be released on or before June 19, 2026, citing challenges arising from the consolidation of its recently acquired additional 40 per cent equity interest in ND Western Limited.

Aradel had earlier informed the market on March 2, 2026, that the delay in filing its financial results was linked to the acquisition and subsequently indicated that the reports would be released on or before May 29, 2026.

The organisation said unforeseen complexities emerged during the consolidation process following the integration of the newly acquired stake into the group’s reporting framework.

According to the notice, “The delay is due to unforeseen complexities encountered in the consolidation process arising from the integration of the newly acquired interest in ND Western Limited into the Group’s reporting framework. Additional time is required to ensure that the consolidated results fairly present the financial position of the enlarged Group in line with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.”

“The company is working closely with its external auditors to complete the process without compromising the quality, accuracy or integrity of the financial statements. Both the FY 2025 Audited Financial Statements and the Q1 2026 Unaudited Interim Financial Statements will now be released on or before 19 June 2026,” Aradel said.

The extension means the company’s closed period, which commenced on January 1, 2026, will remain in effect until 24 hours after the financial statements are released to the market. During the closed period, insiders and other restricted persons are prohibited from trading in the company’s shares.

The energy firm noted that trading in its securities by affected persons would resume after the expiration of the extended closed period. The oil producer further reiterated its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency in its financial reporting.

By Dipo Olowookere

The last trading session of the week on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited ended on a positive note with a 0.26 per cent growth on Friday.

It was the first trading day after the two-day break observed on Wednesday and Thursday for Sallah celebrations by Muslims.

Market participants returned to Customs Street yesterday in high spirits, though keeping an eye on happenings in the macroeconomic environment.

This resulted in the market breadth index closing bearish after recording 32 price gainers and 33 price losers, implying weak investor sentiment.

Sovereign Trust Insurance and Zichis gained 10.00 per cent each to sell for N2.75 and N33.00 apiece, International Energy Insurance rose by 9.98 per cent to N4.52, McNichols grew by 9.85 per cent to N8.70, and Aradel Holdings increased by 9.59 per cent to N1,933.80.

Conversely, the trio of CAP, Austin Lax, and Premier Paints lost 10.00 per cent each to settle at N179.10, N3.96, and N33.75 apiece, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank decreased by 9.89 per cent to N4.01, and John Holt fell by 9.84 per cent to N16.95.

As for the performance of the key market sectors yesterday, the banking space shed 2.51 per cent, the consumer goods index depleted by 1.26 per cent, and the industrial goods sector tumbled by 0.05 per cent.

However, bargain-hunting raised the energy segment by 4.38 per cent and lifted the insurance counter by 0.86 per cent.

Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) closed higher by 646.63 points to 250,385.47 points from 249,738.84 points, and the market capitalisation improved by N415 billion to N160.509 trillion from N160.094 trillion.

A total of 1.2 billion stocks worth N43.4 billion exchanged hands in 93,626 deals during the session compared with the 564.1 million stocks valued at N27.2 billion traded in 65,666 deals in the preceding session. This showed that the trading volume, value, and number of deals went up by 112.73 per cent, 59.56 per cent, and 42.58 per cent, respectively.

Fidelity Bank ended the day as the busiest equity with a turnover of 483.0 million units valued at N8.7 billion, Access Holdings transacted 133.3 million units worth N3.2 billion, The Initiates sold 81.7 million units for N2.2 billion, Chams exchanged 43.9 million units valued at N173.8 million, and Dangote Sugar traded 28.4 million units worth N2.0 billion.