Economy
Sterling Holdings, Others Lift Stock Exchange by 0.13%
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited rebounded by 0.13 per cent on Friday on the back of renewed buying interest in banking and industrial goods stocks.
Business Post observed that the local bourse closed higher yesterday despite a pocket of profit-taking in the other counters at the close of trading activities.
The banking index appreciated by 1.06 per cent and the industrial goods space improved by 0.01 per cent, while the consumer goods counter and the insurance sector depreciated by 0.18 per cent and 0.05 per cent, while the energy industry closed flat.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) leapt by 129.44 points to finish at 97,606.63 points versus Thursday’s 97,477.19 points and the market capitalisation grew by N74 billion to end at N56.088 trillion, in contrast to the preceding day’s N56.014 trillion.
The best-performing equity for the last trading day of the week was Sterling Holdings after it gained 9.45 per cent to settle at N4.98, Consolidated Hallmark also increased by 9.45 per cent to N1.39, MeCure Industries rose by 9.19 per cent to N10.10, Regency Alliance improved by 9.09 per cent to 72 Kobo, and Fidson chalked up 8.24 per cent to trade at N15.10.
The worst-performing equity yesterday was Deap Capital, which retreated by 9.93 per cent to N1.36, NEM Insurance crashed by 9.71 per cent to N7.90, DAAR Communications slumped by 9.52 per cent to 57 Kobo, Tantalizers lost 9.09 per cent to quote at 60 Kobo, and Dangote Sugar slipped by 3.13 per cent to settle at N31.00.
Investor sentiment was bullish during the trading session after Customs Street ended with 31 price gainers and 19 price losers, representing a positive market breadth index.
Yesterday, investors bought and sold 304.4 million shares valued at N5.6 billion in 6,950 deals compared with the 277.8 million shares worth N4.7 billion traded in 7,091 deals in the previous day, implying a decline in the number of deals by 1.99 per cent and a rise in the trading volume and value by 9.56 per cent, and 19.15 per cent, respectively.
Access Holdings led the activity chart with the sale of 68.3 million stocks worth N1.3 billion, Fidelity Bank transacted 43.2 million shares valued at N630.1 million, UBA exchanged 25.4 million equities for N675.9 million, Zenith Bank traded 19.7 million stocks worth N739.2 million, and Sterling Holdings sold 12.5 million equities valued at N60.1 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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