Nigeria’s Domestic Equity Market Gains N16bn

In the Nigerian Exchange, trading activity witnessed continued growth, resulting in a market capitalization increase of N16 billion. The total market capitalization of listed equities grew by 0.04%, reaching N37.004 trillion compared to the previous day’s N36.988 trillion. The NGX All Share Index (ASI) also showed an uptick, rising to 67353.23 points from 67326.12 points on the previous trading day. Top gainers on the equity market include Guinea Insurance, leading the gainers table with a 9.09% increase to N0.24 per share, followed by Eterna Plc with a 6.86% gain, closing at N14.80 per share. Unity Bank added 5.49%, closing at N0.96 per share, Jaiz Bank with a 5.26% increase to N1.60 per unit, and Omatek with a 4.55% gain, closing at N0.46 per share. On the flip side, CWG recorded the highest loss, dropping by 10% to close at N8.55 per share, followed by RTBriscoe with an 8.77% loss to close at N0.55 per unit. AfriPrudential fell by 7.14%, closing at N6.50 per unit, and FTNCocoa dipped by 6.29% to close at N1.64 per share. Neimeth International Pharmaceutical was down by 6.06% to N1.55 per share. The total volume of transactions increased by 19.59 basis points, representing a 5.18% rise, with investors trading 397.560 million shares valued at N4.699 billion in 6,165 deals. This is compared to 377.970 million shares worth N5.169 billion traded in 6,729 deals. Wema Bank was the most traded stock by volume, with 88.986 million shares valued at N418.147 million. AccessCorp followed with 35.606 million shares at N59.848 million, United Bank for Africa traded 35.171 million shares at N659.134 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 33.405 million shares valued at N279.512 million, and GTCO Plc traded 23.421 million shares at N82.848 million.

Growing concerns surround delisting of companies from NGX

Amidst rising domestic costs, fluctuating naira exchange rates, and challenges in dividend declaration and tax payments, several large-cap companies listed on the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) are considering leaving the market, raising concerns among equity market stakeholders. Over the past 22 years, more than 120 companies have either voluntarily or regulatory delisted from the NGX, and the increasing frequency of such announcements or rumours is causing unease among analysts and investors. Initial estimates suggest that approximately N182 billion in market value could exit the NGX due to potential departures by prominent companies like PZ Cussons (current price N20), GSK (current price N12.65), and Oando (current price N7.07). This trend underscores several critical issues within the market, including the perceived lack of tangible benefits associated with being listed, difficulties in raising capital, relatively lower valuations of publicly-listed companies compared to their private counterparts, and challenges in determining exit pricing. Many companies, particularly those with international interests, are opting for private status due to the opportunity cost of remaining listed on a formal exchange. Market analysts argue that this shift should be a cause for concern for NGX management and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While these companies intend to continue operations within Nigeria, they seek the advantages of private arrangements, which offer more confidentiality and flexibility in managing profits to minimize tax obligations, thus avoiding the need for widespread distribution of local dividends. To reverse this growing delisting trend and safeguard the interests of minority shareholders, several corrective measures are being considered. These include revising listing regulations to enhance the quality of publicly-listed firms, providing support for companies through innovative equity funding programs, offering incentives such as corporate income tax (CIT) reductions to listed firms, and increasing the costs associated with delisting. The issue of low exit pricing, which significantly impacts the value of investments held by minority shareholders, is a primary concern that calls for regulatory attention.

Market operators hail NGX’s N32.74m fine on Unity Bank, 7 others

Market operators have commended the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) for the recent N32.74 million fine slammed on Unity Bank, Conoil and six other quoted companies for failure to file their unaudited financial statement after the regulatory due date.   The companies were sanctioned during the current year 2023 for their inability to meet the regulatory requirements during the first quarter of 2023. The companies include Presco Plc, Ardova Plc, Briclinks Africa Plc, Universal Insurance Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Conoil Oil Plc, FBNH Plc, and Caverton Offshore Support Plc. Also, Presco Plc was fined N9.4 million, Ardova, N7.2 million, and Universal Insurance Plc will pay N4.7 million as fine accounting for a cumulative fine of N21.3 million and represented 65.05 per cent of the total fines levied on defaulters. The Managing Director of Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, while reacting to the development said the action of NGX would boost investor confidence in the market because it is sending a signal for investors to get companies’ financial reports as at when due. He added that investors needed to make informed decisions before choosing which stock to buy and this can only be achieved if there is adherence to good corporate governance by the quoted companies. “It is not a new thing, and it does not come to us as a surprise. We have constantly written to the exchange and raised the issue at annual general meetings that there is a need to know the status of these companies to enable us to take investment positions,” he noted. Also, the President of Progressive Shareholders Association, Mr Boniface Okezie, said it was better for Nigerians to have a few companies that are ready to play by the rules than to have all the companies in the world that are not ready to satisfy post-listing requirements. Okezie said that penalizing companies for non-compliance with the rules of listing on NGX was a welcome development, as it will lead to more appropriate pricing of securities. “We must always abide by the rules, sanctions would make the companies sit up and post their results as and when due, thereby providing investors, analysts, and stockbrokers the platform to predict the real value of the companies”. The Exchange in its X-Compliance report explained that the initiative was designed to maintain market integrity and protect the investors by providing compliance-related information on all listed companies. “Financial information which is periodic disclosure and ongoing material events disclosure should be released to The Exchange promptly to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market”.

NGX moves northward, gains N565bn

Trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange on Thursday closed northward, gaining N565 billion following gains recorded by Dangote Cement, Unilever, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, FBNHoldings among others. The market capitalisation of equities on Thursday appreciated by 1.62 per cent to close at N35.483 trillion from N34.918 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 1037.43 basis points to 65204.82 points from 64167.39 points traded on Wednesday. A reviews of the investment during the day showed that Chellaram Plc led gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at N4.40 per share, SCOA Plc followed with a gain of 9.35 per cent to close at N1.17 per share, Dangote Cement gained 9.34 per cent to close at N349.90 per share, Thomas Way added 9.32 per cent to close at N1.29 per unit, Cornerstone Insurance increased by 9.09 per cent to close at N1.08 per share. On the contrary, Cap Plc topped losers chart, shedding 10 per cent to close at N19.80 per share, Academy Press trailed with a loss of 9.36 per cent to close at N2.13 per unit, Dangote Sugar Refinery dipped by 6.63 per cent to close at N32.40 per unit, Glaxo Smithkline fell by 6.60 per cent to close at N9.20 per share, Chams Plc down by 5.05 per cent to close at N0.94 per share. Volume of trades increased by 123.16 million, representing 51.73 per cent as investors traded 361.197 million shares valued at N5.743 billion in 5531 deals against 238.039 million shares worth N2.616 billion in 6001 deals. Transactions in the shares of FBNHoldings Ltd market activities with 140.179 million shares valued at N2.608 billion in 280 deals, Fidelity Bank followed with account of 21.559 million shares worth N165.186 million in 170 deals, Universal insurance traded 18.706 million shares valued at N4.211 million in 62 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria exchanged 17.307 million shares valued at N62.606 million in 176 deals while United Bank for Africa exchanged 13.081 million shares costing N188.990 million in 249 deals.

NGX market cap gains N1.8trn in July

Transactions at Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) closed the month of July 2023 on a positive note as earnings and dividend declarations from quoted companies helped NGX’s market cap to gain N1.814 trillion. The gain was also supported by insider dealings among companies as directors and related parties consolidated their positions in a show by such investors of their belief in the inherent values of such companies, as well as sustained positive reactions to the ongoing reforms by President Bola Tinubu. Despite the profit taking, selloffs and FX pressures witnessed within the period, the benchmark NGX All-Share index which opened the trading month at 60,968.27 points, closed at 64,337.52 points, representing a 5.53 per cent growth while year-to-date (YTD) close at 25 per cent in the month under review.  Also, market capitalization- listed value of equities rose by N1.814 trillion from N33.197 trillion to N35.011 trillion. There were also better-than-expected corporate earnings, higher dividend payouts and relatively improved liquidity as fixed income yields were not stable in the face of soaring inflation which supported buying interests in the market and flow of funds into the equity space. It will be recalled that a total turnover of 2.854 billion shares worth N37.645 billion in 41,547 deals was traded by investors on the floor of the Exchange last week Friday. The high traded volume and mixed sentiment experienced during the month reflected the buying interests by majority shareholders and activities of institutional investors as they sought to hedge against inflation on a mixed outlook for fixed income rates and yields. This followed the fact that the second quarter (Q2) performance of some quoted companies beat the inflation rate, raising hopes of better earnings that will support price and payout at the end of the financial year. Given the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in the month under review, the prevailing mixed economic data and as well more corporate earnings now looking up, analysts believe that positive earnings surprises and possible interim dividend declarations from companies would spur increased bargain-hunting activities on the bourse. They also added that profit-taking activities on stocks that have experienced substantial appreciation might be possible. Analysts at Cordros Research said, “In the medium term, we expect investors’ sentiments to be influenced by developments in the macroeconomic landscape and the movement of yields in the fixed-income market”.

Fidelity Bank targets N96.3bn share capital

Fidelity Bank Plc has announced plans to raise capital via a combination of a public offers and rights issue. In a statement signed by the Company’s Secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje and released on the NGX, the tier -2 bank revealed that at the current share price of N7.3, the sale could fetch the bank fresh capital of about N96.3 billion. Fidelity Bank said it is to raise its share capital to N22.60 billion as the company looks to explore strategic growth. “The issued share capital of the Company currently at N16,000,000,000.00, made up of 32,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares of N0.50 each, be increased up to N22,600,000,00.00 by the creation of up to 13,200,000,000 (Thirteen Billion, and Two Hundred Million) additional Ordinary Shares of N0.50 each. “That the Company undertakes a capital raising exercise via a Public Offer for up to 10,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares and Rights Issue of up to 3,200,000,000 Ordinary Shares representing 1 (one) new share for every ten (10) shares held, to new and existing shareholders respectively. “That the Board of Directors of the Company be and is hereby authorized to allot the shares issued in accordance with resolution (2) above, which shall rank pari-passu with the Company’s existing issued shares, subject to the receipt of relevant regulatory approvals. “That the Board of Directors be and is hereby authorized to perform all such lawful acts that are necessary to give effect to the above-listed resolutions including but not limited to ensuring compliance with all regulatory procedures and requirements, obtaining all required approvals, and filing within time, all regulatory returns in relation to the above resolutions.” The company noted that the decision to raise share capital is in view of strategic growth as the company aims for increased profitability, expansion (domestic and international), and enhancement of its digital capabilities. The proposed resolutions are aimed at ensuring that the company can take advantage of emerging business opportunities and secure long-term profitability and competitive advantage while ensuring increased shareholder value. The share capital increase is subject to adoption at the company’s Extra Ordinary General meeting and is being presented for shareholders’ approval.

Nigeria’s trade volume declines by 38.59%

The volume of transactions on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) declined by 38.59 percent at the close of trading on Wednesday. The NGX trading result showed that volume of activities went down by 335.310 million as investors traded 473.492 million shares valued at N10.081 billion in 7403 deals against 868.802 million shares worth N42.806 billion in 8970 deals. Also the market capitalisation of listed equities declined by N5 billion, representing 0.01 per cent to N34.716 trillion from N34.721 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 9.49 basis points to 63757.23 points from 63766.72 points reported the previous day. An analysis HoneyWell Flour Mills led gainers table in percentage terms, increasing by 10 per cent to close at N3.63 per share, Eterna Plc followed with a gain of 9.98 per cent to close at N28.65 per unit, Academy Press gained 9.95 per cent to close at N2.21 per share, Skyways Aviation Handling also appreciated by 9.83 per cent to close at N16.20 per unit, RTBriscoe grew by 9.80 per cent to close at N0.56 per share. On the contrary, Prestige Insurance and Geregu Power recorded the highest loss, declining by 10 per cent each to close at N0.45 and N315.00 respectively, FTNCocoa fell by 9.61 per cent to close at N2.07 per unit, Linkage insurance dipped by 9.09 per cent to close at N0.70 per unit, Jaiz Bank fell by 9.04 per cent to close at N1.71 per unit. The NGX trading result showed that transactions in the shares of Japaul Gold led market activities during the day with 77.983 million shares valued at N64.586 million, FCMB group followed with 36.622 million shares cost N221.830 million, Sterling Bank traded 31.239 million shares cost N109.046 million, Dangote Sugar sold a total of 30.704 million shares cost N845.901 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 22.283 million shares cost N160.859 million.