Economy
Three Stocks Drag NASD Index into Negative Territory by 0.71%
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange dropped to the negative zone on Wednesday, December 21, as negative price movements from Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc dragged the bourse down by 0.71 per cent.
The oil and gas investment company closed the session N4.90 lower to N170.10 per share from N175.00 per share, CSCS Plc recorded a N1.03 slump to trade at N12.47 per unit compared with the previous day’s N13.50 per unit, while FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc depreciated by 29 Kobo to sell at N66.00 per unit, in contrast to Tuesday’s rate of N66.29 per unit.
The depreciation in these stocks weakened the market capitalisation of the bourse by N6.60 billion to N924.90 billion from the N931.50 billion that it closed in the preceding session.
Following the same trend was the NASD Unlisted Securities Index (NSI), which decreased by 5.03 points to wrap the session at 703.87 points compared with 708.90 points recorded at the previous session.
At the market on Wednesday, the volume of securities traded at the bourse further increased by 7,940.1 per cent as investors transacted 10.8 million units versus Tuesday’s 133,823 units.
The value of shares traded at the midweek session rose by 900.6 per cent to N73.4 million from N7.3 million, while the number of deals rose by 93.8 per cent to 31 deals from 16 deals.
AG Mortgage Bank Plc ended the session as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 2.3 billion units worth N1.2 billion, CSCS stood in second place with 688.2 million units worth N14.3 billion, and Lighthouse Financial Services Plc was in third place with 224.7 million units valued at N112.3 million.
The most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis was still CSCS Plc at the close of transactions yesterday, with 688.2 million units exchanged for N14.3 billion, VFD Group Plc was in second place with 29.1 million units valued at N7.7 billion, and FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc was in third place with 18.4 million units valued at N2.0 billion.
Economy
SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs
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.
Economy
Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange
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.”
Economy
FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure
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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