Author: Gilbert Ayoola

Oando Plc: One-Off Gains Mask Deeper Operational Challenges Oando Plc has released its unaudited Interim Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30, 2025, offering a mixed bag of headline positive and underlying red flags. While the company reported a notable reversal of prior impairments pushing its bottom line into profitability the financial results highlight deep-rooted operational inefficiencies, persistent cost pressures, and rising liabilities that remain cause for investor caution. Oando reported total revenue of N343.86 billion for H1 2025, reflecting a stagnation in topline growth when compared with prior periods. The company’s revenue performance appears…

FirstHoldCo: Strong Top-Line Growth, But Profitability Tells a Cautionary Tale FirstHoldCo has released its Half-Year (H1) 2025 financial results, revealing a mixed bag of earnings momentum and profitability concerns. On the surface, the numbers paint a picture of resilience and growth in a high-interest-rate environment, but a deeper dive exposes critical pressures that weigh on future earnings. Amid an economy defined by elevated interest rates and inflationary pressure, the financial holding company posted N1.7 trillion in gross earnings, up 16.8% year-on-year, driven largely by robust interest income. However, despite this impressive top-line expansion, net profit declined by 20% YoY to…

Nigeria’s Palm Oil Sector Heats Up: The Brewing Bidding War Between Ellah Lakes & Presco A quiet storm is gathering in Nigeria’s agribusiness space—one that could reshape the country’s palm oil industry and ignite a fierce competition between two ambitious players: Ellah Lakes Plc and Presco Plc. Both companies are making bold moves, each planning to raise N250 billion to acquire strategic assets and expand operations. While these capital-raising efforts are aimed at growth and value creation, they also signal a likely bidding and trade war that could disrupt market dynamics in West Africa’s lucrative palm oil sector. In its…

Royal Exchange Boosts Earning Performance with Strong Investor Promise Royal Exchange has delivered a standout performance in its Q2 2025 financials, marking a significant turnaround and demonstrating renewed strength across critical financial metrics. The company’s robust financial posture is underpinned by rising earnings, improved profitability, strengthened shareholders’ equity, and a reduction in debt exposure. For investors, these results offer compelling indicators of sustained growth and value creation. Royal Exchange’s earned income surged by an impressive 72%, rising from N996.87 million in Q2 2024 to N1.71 billion in Q2 2025. This uptick signals strong momentum in the group’s core business lines…

Custodian Interim Dividend Signals Stability, But is it Enough to Justify a Buy? As Nigeria’s capital market continues to navigate macroeconomic turbulence and evolving investor sentiment, Custodian Investment Plc’s recently declared 25kobo interim dividend has drawn both applause and critical scrutiny. With the stock trading at N33.00/share ex-dividend, the market is clearly assigning a premium to the group’s diversified financial services portfolio. But in this high-stakes environment, the bigger question remains: does this dividend signal sustained value creation, or is it a cautious gesture masking deeper cost pressures? This article takes a closer look at the dividend move in light…

SEC Confirms Investigation Into Secret AGM by Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc What had previously circulated as a market rumour has now been officially confirmed: Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc allegedly conducted an unauthorised secret Annual General Meeting (AGM)—a move that has sparked regulatory scrutiny and raised questions about corporate governance within the company. According to verified information from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the matter is now under formal investigation following a petition filed by a group of aggrieved shareholders. The SEC is reportedly assessing the legality of the meeting and whether it violates provisions of the Companies…

Topping Up Aradel at N507/Share: Is There Still Room to Grow? In the rapidly evolving landscape of Nigeria’s energy sector, Aradel Holdings Plc has emerged as one of the most compelling stories on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Following its landmark migration from the NASD OTC market in late 2023, Aradel’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable—both operationally and financially. With investors now eyeing an entry or a top-up at the N507/share level, the critical question becomes: Is the stock still a buy, or is most of the value already priced in? Aradel Holdings is a fully integrated indigenous energy…

Learning from the Curves: The Hallmarks of Investor Regret No matter how seasoned or skilled you are in the world of stock investing, one truth remains constant: regret is a silent companion to every investor. Whether you’re a beginner placing your first trade or a veteran with decades in the market, those moments of “what if” and “if only” are inescapable. The stock market isn’t just about numbers and charts it’s a journey that exposes our habits, emotions, and decision-making under pressure. Every investor, at some point, has whispered or shouted these familiar regrets: 1. “I wish I bought more…

BUA Cement Stellar Earnings Reinforce Market Strength, Value In a resounding display of operational excellence and strategic financial stewardship, BUA Cement Plc has released its unaudited financial statements for the Q2 sequel to its H1 ended June 30, 2025 and the results are nothing short of outstanding. BUA Cement recorded significant growth across all key metrics indicators, reinforcing its leadership position and further validating the confidence of its investors. The cement company reported a remarkable surge in revenue, climbing to N289.5 billion in Q2 2025, a 42.7% increase from N202.8 billion in Q2 2024. The half-year figure was even more…

Dangote’s Strategic Exit: What Investors Should Know Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and the industrial force behind the Dangote Group, has recently stepped down as Chairman of two of his biggest listed companies—Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Dangote Cement Plc. While this may come as a surprise to many investors, the move is less about retirement and more about strategy. In this article, we will be breaking down why Dangote is stepping back from these board roles, what it means for corporate governance, and how it fits into the broader vision for the Dangote Group including its billion-dollar refinery project…