Business
Investors’ Sentiment Boosts Trading On NSE
The improved inves
tors’ sentiment on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resulting to the market ending in the green last week surged the twin market indicators, the All Share Index (ASI) and the aggregate market capitalization of listed equities surged by 1.24 per cent each.
Specifically, the ASI closed the week at 37,382.49 basis points from an index-on-board of 36,926.29 basis points even as the market capitalisation of listed equities increased from the week’s opening value of N11.694 trillion to N11.839 trillion.
The NSE 30 index which tracks the most capitalised stocks on the Nigerian bourse appreciated by 1.05 per cent to finish at 1,758.73 points.
Also four of the NSE indices were in the green during the review week as the NSE Consumer Goods rose by 0.75 per cent, NSE Banking 1.34 per cent, NSE Insurance 0.37 percent and the NSE Industrial goods 3.34 per cent.
However, the NSE Oil/Gas, NSE-Lotus I and the NSE-ASeM nose dived by 0.14 per cent, 0.02 percent and 0.57 per cent, respectively.
A closer look at the market revealed it rebounded last week as the bulls took charge of the market for three days running resulting to a 2.18 per cent appreciation pushing the value-based index that tracks all equities to hover between 35,832 points and 36,952 points.
The week opened on Monday of the review week on a negativenote, as the NSE ASI fell by 0.37 per cent to close at 36,796.14 basis points having opened at 36,926.29 basis points the previous week while cumulative market capitalisation of listed equities dropped by N44 billion to close at N11.650.87 trillion compared with N11.694.95 trillion the previous week.
The second trading in the week under review saw the benchmark index rising by 0.61 per cent which caused the index to finish at 37,014.14 basis points even as the market capitalisation stood at N11.56 trillion.
The overall market volume traded on the same day increased by 53.4 per cent just as increased by 53.4 per cent just as the value grew by 50.8 per cent.
In all, a total of 289.25 million units of shares valued at N324 billion were exchanged by investors in 5,081 deals.
The positive note continued on Wednesday with the NSE ASI soaring by 0.31 percent to finish at 37,128.40 basis points while market capitalisation of listed equities added N36 billion to close at N11,758.27 trillion from an on-board-value of N11.722.08 billion.
The market, last Wednesday recorded a traded volume of 213.24 million units of shares worth N3.22 billion exchanging hands in 5,815 transactions down from 289.25 million units of shares valued at N3.24 billion traded in 5,419 deals the previous day.
The bulls sustained their hold in the equity market of the Nigerian bourse on Thursday with the bench mark index adding 199.26 points to end at 37,327.66 basis points as 34 stocks recorded price appreciation while 16 lost in their value.
The last trading day of the week under review saw the market finishing on a strong note as the bench mark index went up by 0.15 per cent to stand at 37,382.49 basis points while the aggregate market capitalisation of listed equities rose to N11.72 trillion.
A traded volume of 245.96 million units of shares valued at N2.94 billion were recorded at the close business on the Exchange on Friday.
The overall turnover volume during the review week stood at 1.674 billion units of shares valued at N18.266 billion exchanged by investors in 25.367 trades as against a total of 3.478 billion units of shares worth N14.902 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 24,576 trades.
In volume terms according to the NSE weekly data, the financial services sector topped the sectorial activity chart with 1.306 billion units of shares worth N11.630 billion exchanged by investors in 13,565 trades.
The Banking subsector of the financial services sector was the most active in volume terms during the review week. Activities in the shares of United Bank for Africa Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc drove the volume in the subsector as they accounted for 735.184 million units of shares representing 77.68 per cent and 43.91 per cent of the turnover volume recorded by the subsector and the overall market turnover during the week under review respectively.
The Conglomerates sector emerged second on the week’s activity chart having a turnover of 101.851 million units of shares at the cost of N278.921 million in 1,077 trades.
Activities in the shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc drove the volume in the sector as 98.150 million units of its shares were traded by investors in 727 transaction at the value of N137.029 million.
At the over-the-counter bond market, a total of 4,100 units of FGN bonds worth N443,665 were traded in 18 transactions as against 900 units at the value of N100,126 recorded in 19 trades the preceding week.
On the Price Movement chart, 37 stocks appreciate in their value during the week in contrast to 44 shares which recorded price appreciation the previous week.
A total of forty-seven shares dipped in their value compared with 36 shares that plunged in their value the previous week.
Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc vanguard the top 10 bulls with N10.71, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc N5.02, UACN Plc N4.00, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated N1.11, Beta Glass Company Plc N1.00.
Other top 10 price gainers for the week include IPWA Plc 19 kobo, HIS Plc 60 kobo, Ikeja Hotel Plc 7 kobo, National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc 91 kobo and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 84 kobo.
On the downside, the top 10 losers were Glaxo Smthkline N12.73, Costain West Africa Plc 24 kobo, Smart Product Nigeria Plc 20 kobo, Coulterville Business Solution Plc 18 kobo, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc 12 Kobo, Trans-Nationwide Express Plc 25 kobo, Vono Product Plc 17 kobo, Chellarams Plc 48 kobo, Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc 11 kobo and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc 16 kobo.
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.
