By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the players in the hospitality business in Nigeria, Capital Hotels Plc, is considering raising fresh capital from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
The executives of the company confirmed this on Wednesday during their Facts Behind the Figures presentation, which was done virtually at the exchange. It was the first to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic limited physical interactions in the country.
Chairman of Capital Hotels, Mr Anthony Idigbe, and the Managing Director, Mr Robert Itawa, noted that the organisation will take advantage of the laytime investment opportunity the pandemic has provided to the source for additional funds.
At the gathering, they shared some of their plans to further engage with their shareholders and improve compliance with the 20 per cent free float requirement of the exchange.
Business Post gathered that Capital Hotels has a 2.99 per cent of free float and has requested to comply by August 16, 2021.
Companies listed on the main board of the NSE are required to have at least 20 per cent of their issued and fully paid-up shares in the hands of the investing public so as to make their securities liquid at the market.
At the event yesterday, the company thanked the exchange for the opportunity to engage the capital market community on its platform, expressing optimism that it will navigate through the crisis caused by coronavirus.
The hospitality sector is one of the most badly affected by the contagion, but the Capital Hotels team believes it can still remain strong and deliver value to shareholders.
While speaking yesterday, the CEO of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, who was represented by Mr Olumide Bolumole, Head of Listing Business Division at the exchange, noted that, “It is our pleasure to host Capital Hotels Plc and we commend the Management for championing the maiden edition of this vital series given that the market is driven by timely, relevant and accurate information.
“We recognize the efforts made by Capital Hotels Plc aimed at improving business operations and restoring investor confidence in the company despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the exchange, we remain committed to providing a platform for the company and other Issuers to meet their strategic business objectives.”
In spite of the challenging business environment, Capital Hotels Plc has consistently delivered value to shareholders as evident in its dividend policy over the last three years and demonstrated by a final dividend of 5 Kobo per ordinary share for 2019.
One of the highlights of the event was the privilege given to Mr Idigbe to sound the digital closing gong of the NSE.
Capital Hotels is the operator of the prestigious Sheraton Hotel.
Aduragbemi Omiyale