Author: Gilbert Ayoola

Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Performance Boosts Shareholders Value Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc (IMG) has closed its 2024 financial year on a high note, delivering strong top-line growth, improved profitability, and increased shareholder returns. The audited annual report for the year ended 31st December 2024 paints a picture of a company that is not only expanding its market reach but also optimising operations despite economic headwinds. IMG’s revenue soared by 38%, rising from N6.06 billion in 2023 to N8.38 billion in 2024. This increase reflects higher demand for the company’s industrial and medical gas products, likely driven by…

PZ Cussons Turnaround Narrative, Recovery Signal a Buy Recommendation PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc has staged an impressive turnaround in its financial performance for the full-year ended May 31, 2025. The FMCG giant reported a solid 40% year-on-year revenue growth, surging from N152.25 billion in FY2024 to N212.63 billion in FY2025, underpinned by aggressive market recovery, resilient product demand, and prudent financial restructuring. After a challenging FY2024 marred by macroeconomic instability, foreign exchange losses, and rising input costs, the group has returned to profitability. Operating profit reversed from a staggering loss of N124.40 billion to a gain of N18.92 billion. Profit…

Stocks Slip for Third Straight Day Amid Cautious Investor Mood in early kickoff of September The Nigerian stock market continued to tread in negative territory on September 3, 2025, as investors grappled with uncertainty and took profits off the table. The market recorded its third consecutive day of losses, signaling a cautious start to the new month. The Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index, which opened the month at 140,295 points, declined by 0.42%, shedding 138,157.14 points over the course of three trading sessions. This downturn brings the index just under the 140,000-point threshold, a level that has recently served as both…

Unity Bank, Providus Merger Signals Strategic Rebirth The Nigerian capital market has greeted the Unity Bank–ProvidusBank merger with measured optimism a sentiment more forward-looking than reflective. While Unity Bank’s historical performance has left little to excite investors, the proposed integration with ProvidusBank is seen as a turning point that could redefine its trajectory. This merger is less about repair and more about reinvention. ProvidusBank enters the equation with strong fundamentals, superior capital adequacy, digital-first operations, and a reputation for sound corporate governance. Unity Bank, on the other hand, offers extensive retail reach, rural penetration, and most crucially, a listing on…

Lafarge Africa: Investor Sentiment, Market Outlook & Recommendation Lafarge Africa’s share price has dipped to N123.00 from its recent high of N130.00, following a wave of investor profit-taking and continued uncertainty around its strategic direction post-Holcim exit. While the decline is modest, it reflects growing caution as the market awaits clarity from the new Chinese owners. Cautious optimism continues to dominate, driven by strong historical performance (52-week range: N35.60–N154.30) and recent dividend payout of N1.20 final (2024), and N4.00 interim (2025) However, lack of transparency from Lafarge’s management about post-acquisition strategy, potential delisting, subsequent to structural changes is fueling market…

NGX ASI Closed Negative as Market Sentiment Wanes with Broad Based Selloffs The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed the final trading session on Friday, August 29, 2025 of the week on a subdued note, as bearish sentiment continued to dominate the bourse. The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) fell for the second consecutive week, shedding 0.5% week-on-week (w/w) to settle at 140,295.50 basis points. This pullback marks a mild retreat from the index’s recent highs, as investors opted to take profits amid a lack of fresh market-moving catalysts. Despite the marginal setback, the Month-to-Date (MTD) and Year-to-Date (YTD) returns remained in positive…

SCOA Nigeria Hits 52-Week High Amid Bullish Momentum: What Investors Should Know SCOA Nigeria Plc has entered a remarkable growth phase on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), hitting a new 52-week high of N6.05 per share during Thursday’s trading session on August 28, 2025. This milestone places the stock significantly above its 52-week low of N1.71, marking a year-long appreciation of over 254%, a performance that not only underscores investor confidence but also reflects the company’s improving fundamentals and strong market sentiment. The stock opened trading at N5.50, notably above its 50-day moving average of N5.23, indicating the persistence of bullish…

Earnings Delay Spark Selloffs in Bank Stocks The Nigerian equities market has recently witnessed a marked downturn in the share prices of leading banking stocks on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), a movement that has raised eyebrows across trading floor and boardrooms alike. This decline, which gained pace throughout August 2025, comes on the back of a prolonged and conspicuous delay in the release of banks’ Q2 2025 financial statements a critical reporting season that now threatens investor sentiment and challenges corporate governance confidence in the sector. As banks traditionally regarded as the bellwether of the Nigerian bourse…

FGN Bond Auction: Robust Demand, Rising Yields Signal Strategic Shift Toward Fixed Income In a highly anticipated move this August, Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) conducted a Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bond auction, offering N200 billion to the investing public. The auction received a strong response, attracting total subscriptions worth N268.17 billion, indicating solid investor interest despite the prevailing economic uncertainties. With a bid-to-cover ratio of 1.34%, it’s clear that fixed-income instruments are commanding growing attention in a climate marked by inflationary pressures, FX volatility, and cautious equity sentiment. Interestingly, the DMO ultimately allotted only N136.17 billion, significantly lower…

MTN vs. Airtel Cloud War Could Boost Share Prices: What Investors Need to Know The Nigerian stock market is heating up again, and at the centre of this renewed buzz are two telecom giants: MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa. Both companies are no longer just battling for who offers the best call rates or fastest internet they’re now racing to dominate the future of technology through cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Recent announcements from both sides signal what could be a major shift in their business strategies and a potentially profitable opportunity for investors, even those just beginning to…