MTN Nigeria Slides as Investors Sell Interim Dividend
MTN Nigeria Plc’s market value declined amid sell pressure ahead of the interim dividend payment qualification data, amidst broadly negative stock market performance.
The Nigerian Exchange Index declined last week, with about N2 trillion knocked off the equities market capitalisation due to sector-wide sell-off pressure.
According to data from the local bourse, the telecom company’s share price fell to N805 at the close of trading on Friday, down from an opening price of N845 at the beginning of the week.
Its trading volume was relatively heavy across sessions, resulting in about a 5% decline in the telecom company’s market value due to sell-side actors’ activities.
MTN Nigeria delivered a strong H1 2026 performance, with revenue rising by 25.9% year on year to ₦2.99 trillion, driven mainly by strong growth in data services and sustained demand for connectivity.
Improved cost efficiency and revenue growth supported a 39.2% increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to ₦1.67 trillion, while the EBITDA margin expanded to 55.9%.
Analysts said the telecom company’s lower net finance costs and a significant improvement in foreign exchange performance further supported profitability, with profit before tax rising by 75.4% to ₦1.09 trillion.
MTN Nigeria closed H1 2026 with net profit increasing by 70.6% to ₦707.54 billion. Overall, the results reflect stronger operating performance, improved profitability and continued growth in data and digital services.
The Board approved an interim dividend of ₦26.00 per share for H1 2026 on 29 July 2026, reinforcing management’s confidence in the company’s earnings outlook and cash-generating capacity.
On 7 September 2026, dividends will be paid electronically to shareholders whose names appear on the Register of Members as at 20 August 2026.
The market value of MTN Nigeria Plc’s 20.996 billion outstanding shares fell to N16.901 trillion, 12% below its 52-week high in the local bourse. MTN Nigeria Declines as Investors Take Profits in Telco Stock
