Economy
Stock Market Loses N145b Friday as Investors Monitor Political Happenings
By Dipo Olowookere
It was a bad day for investors in the Nigerian capital market as major market metrics finished in the negative territory at the close of transactions on Friday.
Business Post reports that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) declined yesterday by 1.01 percent, closing the week without a rise in any of the trading session. Also, the Year-to-Date (YtD) gain reduced to 2.83 percent.
The recent loses at the stock market despite the rise in crude oil prices at the international market is believed to be as a result of political happenings in the country.
Next year, Nigerians head to the polls to elect their leaders and foreign investors, who contribute more to the market, are pulling out their funds over uncertainty on outcome of the elections, especially with the perceived persecution of political opponents by the ruling government.
This, Business Post learned, is one of the major reasons for the profit-taking at the equity market in the past on week.
At the close of business yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) lost 400.23 points to settle at 39,323.62 points, while the market capitalisation went down by N145 billion to finish at N14.244 trillion.
However, the volume and value of shares traded on Friday appreciated by 15.43 percent and 47.25 percent respectively.
A total of 296 million shares valued at N3 billion were transacted in 4,911 deals yesterday against the 256.4 million equities worth N2 billion sold the previous session in 4,111 deals.
Like in the past trading days, the Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 241.2 million shares exchanged for N2 billion, while the Consumer Goods sector, which followed, traded 15.8 million equities worth N478 million.
The most active stock at the market on Friday in terms of volume was FCMB, which sold 44 million shares worth N98.3 million.
It was trailed by Zenith Bank, which 22.2 million equities valued at N590.6 million, and UBA, which traded 21.4 million shares worth N228.2 million.
Furthermore, Regency Alliance Insurance transacted 20.8 million shares valued at N5.4 million, while FBN Holdings sold 20 million equities worth N194.1 million.
On the price movement chart, Guinness Nigeria emerged the heaviest price loser after going down by N4 to settle at N100 per share.
It was followed by Flour Mills Nigeria, which went down by N1.50k to close at N49 per share, and Julius Berger, which crashed by N1.45k to end at N27.55 per share.
Glaxosmithkline performed badly at the market yesterday after losing N1.02k of its share value to finish at N20.50k per share.
On the other hand, MRS led the gainers’ table, growing by N1.70k to close at N36.05k per share.
It was trailed by UACN, which increased by 55k to end at N15.05k per share, while Fidson Healthcare appreciated by 25k to settle at N5.95k per share.
Ikeja Hotel went up by 23k to close at N2.58k per share, while Sterling Bank managed to garner 6k to finish at N1.35k per share.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 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 agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn