Business
Cadbury, Others Lift All Share Index By N44bn
Price gainers continued to outweigh losers on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), as more stocks joined the league of gainers, resulting in further increase in market capitalisation by N44 billion.
Turnover also recorded significant increase as 347.4 million shares worth N2.2 billion changed hands in 6,596 deals, higher than 268.4 million units valued at N2.3 billion exchanged in 6,914 deals on Tuesday.
Specifically, at the close of transactions on Wednesday, 34 stocks witnessed price appreciation, compared to 19 that constituted the losers chart in the day.
The development impacted 0.7 per cent increase on the performance indicators with the market capitalisation rising by N44 billion from N6.061 trillion to N6.105 trillion, while the All-share index inched up by 179.14 basis points to close at 24,963.99 points from the previous 24,784.85 points.
Chemical and Allied products Plc topped the gainers chart with N1.50kobo increase to close at N33.00 per share, followed by Cadbury Nigeria Plc with N1.35kobo gain to close at N28.35.
Flourmills Nigeria Plc, Dangote Sugar and National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) that were the last three on top five gainers table notched up by N1.00kobo, 62kobo, and 36k obo to close at N76.00, N18.22 and N7.56 per share respectively.
Other gainers included Dangote Flourmills Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, GuarantyTrust Bank Plc,Skye Bank Plc, Constain West African Plc, Union Bank Of Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc ,Ecobank, Transcorp Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Diamond BankPlc, Zenith Bank Plc, AfriBank Plc and IPL Plc adding 30 kobo,30 kobo,30 kobo,30 kobo,27kobo,24kobo,20kobo,17 kobo,12 kobo, ten kobo,ten kobo ,ten kobo, nine kobo and nine kobo to close at and N7.89 per share respectively.
On the other hand, Nigeria Bottling Company led on the losers table, dropping by N1.40kobo to close at N31.00 per share, followed by Lafarge WAPCO with 47kobo decrease to close at N40.53 per share, while Unilever, Presco and Vitafoam lost 34 kobo, 28 kobo and 27 kobo to close at N23.66, N5.35 and N6.00 per share respectively among other losers.
Accounting for the volume of transactions yesterday, the banking sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 239.2 million shares worth N1.2 billion in 3,473 deals.
The conglomerates sub-sector followed with 24.9 million units valued at N144.6 million in 254 deals, while the insurance sub-sector ranked third with 19.2 million units worth N18.8 million exchanged in 263 deals.
Transactions in the shares of Bank PHB Plc boosted activities in the banking sub-sector with 78.3million shares worth N112.8million in 114deals followed by Sterling Bank Plc with 41.8million units valued at N87million in61deals.
Similarly, Transcorp Plc’s 20.8million units worth N10.4million energized activities in the conglomerates sub-sector while Unilever Nigerian Plc’s 1.9million units worth N45million followed in 86deals.
For the insurance sub-sector, Law union and Rock Plc’s 3.6million shares worth N1.8million enhanced activities in the sub-sector while Aiico insurance 2.9million units worth N3.4 million followed in 93 deals.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News4 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
News18 hours ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Rivers20 hours agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Politics21 hours agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics3 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics3 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR