Author: Gilbert Ayoola

Okomu Oil’s Quiet Storm – A Plateau Before the Next Peak? As we ride the rippling waves of the Nigerian equities market, all eyes are on Okomu Oil Palm Plc, a steady titan in the agric-commodities space, whose recent price behaviour has piqued both curiosity and confidence. Following a robust rally that catapulted the stock to an impressive 52-week high of N930 per share, the share price has now entered a contemplative pause — holding steady at its peak for several trading sessions. But make no mistake to what may seem like still waters on the surface is anything but…

Lafarge Africa Q2 2025: A Resilient Growth Story Backed by Sound Fundamentals Lafarge Africa’s Q2 2025 financial results have firmly underscored its growing leadership in Nigeria’s building materials sector, with an exceptional performance that not only exceeded expectations but also lays the groundwork for sustained investor confidence and potential price appreciation. The company posted N269 billion in revenue, reflecting a 70% year-on-year surge, powered by strong cement volumes, price optimisation, and operational resilience. More impressively, operating profit leapt 153% to N120.6 billion, with an operating margin of 45%, up from 30% in Q2 2024. Profit after tax rose by a…

Investment Outlook: Reading Between the Value Metrics In an era where capital efficiency, earnings resilience, and top-line momentum increasingly define long-term winners, valuation metrics provide crucial breadcrumbs for investors seeking alpha. A recent snapshot comparing two publicly traded firms—let’s focus on Presco and its peer offers telling insights that speak volumes beyond the surface-level figures. Let’s dig into the key metrics that deserve investor attention: share price, earnings per share (EPS), and top-line (revenue) growth with a spotlight on Presco. Presco’s current stock price trading around N1,500 per share isn’t just a round number—it’s a strong psychological and financial signal.…

Banking Stocks Fuel Intraday Rally on NGX, Index Rises Fueled by banking stocks, the Nigerian equities market maintained its bullish momentum during the intraday trading session on Thursday, extending gains on the back of strong investor confidence and renewed appetite in key sectors. Market sentiment remained broadly positive, as both blue-chip and mid-tier stocks witnessed significant buying pressure, pushing the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index (ASI) further into record territory. As of the midday bell, the NGX All-Share Index surged by 1.80%, gaining 128,967.08 basis points to consolidate its recent breakout above critical psychological thresholds. The rally is largely supported by…

UPDC Plc: Undervalued Real Estate Titan Poised for Re-Rating As we await the wave of half-year corporate earnings on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), one stock deserving close investor scrutiny is UPDC Plc (N4.60/share)—a company slowly but decisively pivoting from its troubled past into a leaner, more strategically aligned real estate powerhouse. UPDC Nigeria’s long-standing property development firm has gradually reinvented itself over the past five years. Its turnaround is underpinned by: Revenue CAGR of 15.6% from 2018–2023 Q1 2025 revenue growth of 68% YoY, up from N1.3bn to N2.18bn Profit Before Tax surged to N704.6m (from N83.6m) Profit After Tax…

Bullish Momentum Propels Market to Uncharted Heights as Investor Sentiment Soars The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) is ablaze with unrelenting bullish energy, catapulting investor confidence to new highs and redrawing the boundaries of capital market performance in the first half of 2025. With only 129 trading days gone and six full months still ahead, the NGX has set the tone for what could be one of the most compelling full-year performances in recent history. This week, the market served up a spectacular rally that sent a clear message to investors—Nigeria’s capital market is on fire! On Friday, July 11, the NGX…

Ikeja Hotels Shareholders ‘Hopeful’ after SEC Intervention After nearly a decade of protracted internal conflict, forensic scrutiny, and shareholder uncertainty, Ikeja Hotels Plc (IHPLC) has now reached a critical inflection point. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally concluded its forensic audit process into the company’s affairs and issued comprehensive directives aimed at restoring corporate governance, financial transparency, and long-term shareholder value. This development marks the resolution of long-standing disputes between the Goodie Ibru and Alex Ibru factions, key stakeholders whose internal discord had weighed down IHPLC’s performance and public confidence. Following shareholder conflicts that made headlines in prior…

Nigerian Exchange Stages Compelling Performance, Rides on Historic Highs The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has staged one of its most compelling performances in recent history, with the All-Share Index (ASI) hitting 121,989.67 points, comfortably surpassing the previous milestone of 121,708.04 points and narrowly trailing the 52-week high of 122,055.70 points. This surge is not merely an aberration in a volatile market—it is a continuation of an upward momentum that reflects a confluence of improved investor sentiment, macroeconomic recalibration, and sectoral strength. To appreciate the scale of the current performance, one must situate it within the 16–17-year historical cycle of the Nigerian…

Japaul Gold & Ventures Performance – Growth Momentum or Warning Signal? As the Nigerian financial market navigates persistent macroeconomic challenges, investors are increasingly scrutinising performance reports to identify sustainable value and viable growth opportunities. One company that has drawn attention is Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc, a player in the mining and allied services sector, following the release of its unaudited financial statements for Q1 2025. The numbers, while layered with promising growth signals, also carry warning signs that merit close examination before any buy-or-sell decisions are made. In a clear show of operational expansion, JapaulGold’s revenue for Q1 2025…

Learn Africa Bumper Earnings Boost Investors Confidence Learn Africa Plc released its audited financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and the numbers tell a compelling story of resilience, operational efficiency, and investor-focused value creation. At a time when many businesses are navigating economic uncertainties, Learn Africa has delivered an impressive performance across all major financial metrics, demonstrating the strength of its strategic focus and the sustainability of its business model. The company’s core commitment to providing high-quality educational content and materials in line with national curriculum requirements continues to pay off in terms of both market reach and…