Author: Gilbert Ayoola

NGX Reclassifies Lafarge, Guinness into High-Priced Stock Class The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has announced the reclassification of WAPCO Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc from the Medium-Priced to the High-Priced Stock Group, following a review of their trading patterns and price performance over the most recent six-month period. Under the NGX Pricing Methodology framework, a security must trade within a defined price band for at least four out of six months to qualify for a category. Both counters met this requirement, triggering an upward reclassification and an adjustment in tick size from N0.05 to N0.10, in accordance with Rule 15.29 of…

Market Wrap: Balanced Gains as Equities and Fixed Income Advance on Renewed Investor Confidence The financial markets closed today on a broadly positive note, with gains recorded across major asset classes as renewed investor confidence continued to shape trading sentiment. Equities led the advance, with the market capitalisation rising 0.26% to N93.96 trillion, reflecting sustained buying interest and targeted positioning in fundamentally strong sectors. The uptick was supported by improved liquidity and a gradual return of risk appetite, particularly among institutional investors seeking long-term value. The fixed-income segment also extended its steady climb, inching up 0.03% to N51.27 trillion. Demand…

VFD Closes Strong as Investors Confidence Surges, Defies Rights Issue Pressure VFD Group delivered a resilient upside performance in Monday’s session, defying the typically dampening effect of an ongoing Rights Issue scheduled to close on December 26. The stock benefited from sustained investor confidence and broader market stability, leading to a positive re-pricing trend throughout the day. The equity opened at N10.20 and gained 65 kobo intraday to close at N10.85, securing a green finish despite ongoing capital-raising activity. This closing price sits well below its 52-week high of N19.00, yet comfortably above the 52-week low of N6.68, signaling that…

NGX Reclassifies Six Securities to Medium-Priced Category: What It Means for the Market The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has announced the reclassification of six listed companies UPDC Plc, The Initiates Plc, Learn Africa Plc, C & I Leasing Plc, SCOA Nigeria Plc, and Ellah Lakes Plc from the Low-Priced Stock Group to the Medium-Priced Stock Group. The change is in line with the Exchange’s Pricing Methodology Framework and reflects the sustained upward movement and stability in the market prices of these securities over recent months. NGX classifies quoted equities into High-Priced, Medium-Priced, and Low-Priced Stock Groups, based strictly on market price…

Rekindled Appetite: UBA Closed High on Early Price Recovery United Bank for Africa (UBA) closed the last trading day of the week, Friday, December 5, 2025 on a distinctly positive trajectory, marking a welcome rebound after several weeks of muted sentiment and subdued price movements. The Pan-African lender, with operational footprints across the continent and select global financial hubs, attracted renewed investor interest as confidence gradually filtered back into the financial services counter following a spell of mixed market trends, cautious positioning, and intermittent profit-taking. This rekindled appetite for banking stocks saw UBA advance its gain by 85 kobo, translating…

CBN Cash Withdrawal Limit Review – Heading into Election Year The Central Bank of Nigeria’s newly revised cash-withdrawal thresholds, N500,000 weekly for individuals and N5 million for businesses, with excess-cash charges of 3% and 5% respectively, signal a decisive tightening stance as the country enters a politically sensitive pre-election year. While the policy directly constrains high-volume cash users, its implications for capital-market participants are largely favourable, and in many ways strategically aligned with long-term market deepening. From a money-market lens, the curbs form part of a broader liquidity-management strategy. By limiting physical-cash outflows, the CBN effectively channels economic activity toward…

Transcorp Hotels Navigates Sharp Price Correction, Slumps by 10% Thursday, December 4, marked another constructive finish for the Nigerian equities market, which sustained its mixed trading pattern but ultimately closed in positive territory. Yet, within this green backdrop, Transcorp Hotels Plc stood out on the decliners’ chart, experiencing a sharp pullback as investors engaged in broad-based profit-taking after weeks of sustained bullish sentiment. The hospitality giant’s share price dipped significantly by -9.95%, closing at N157.50, down from its session open and 52-week high of N174.90. This decline signals a typical post-rally correction, particularly when juxtaposed with the stock’s 50-day moving…

Money Market Investors Get Treasury Rate Surprise The latest Treasury Bills Primary Market Auction delivered a mixed but strategically significant shift across the curve. While yields on the 91-day (15.30%; True Yield: 15.92%) and 182-day (15.50%; True Yield: 16.81%) tenors remained broadly stable, the 364-day bill surged to 17.50%, translating to a True Yield of 21.21%. This decisive upward move on the long end pushes 1-year risk-free returns above the 20% threshold, positioning it among the most compelling fixed-income opportunities currently available. The upward repricing of the 1-year instrument signals heightened investor demand for inflation-beating returns and a continued preference…

Beating Inflation With Fixed-Income Instruments As inflation sits around 16.05%, many people wonder whether investing in fixed-income instruments, currently yielding 16% to 18%, still makes sense. The short answer is yes, and here is why. Even when fixed-income yields sit close to the inflation rate is valid. With current instruments offering 16–18%, and inflation around 16.05%, the real return may appear marginal. However, fixed-income still presents viable opportunities when viewed in context. Even when yields hover around inflation, you are essentially preserving the real value of your money. Earning 16–18% against 16.05% inflation means you gain a small but positive…

Guinness Nigeria Sees Strong Repricing in Fresh Rally Guinness Nigeria Plc witnessed a strong repricing on Wednesday as investors rotated into the counter on renewed momentum trading. The stock advanced by N18.00, rising from its previous day’s opening of N180.00 to close at N198.00 per share, marking one of its most aggressive single-session upticks in recent weeks. The session’s performance placed Guinness well above its 50-day moving average of N177.78, reinforcing a sustained bullish breakout structure. The move further extends its recovery trajectory from the 52-week low of N62.00, pushing the equity back to its year-to-date high of N198.00, a…