Author: Gilbert Ayoola

GTCO’s Resilient Performance Amid CBN Dividend Halt: A Case for Investor Accumulation On a trading day where the broader FUGAZ group closed in red territory due to market shock following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) dividend halt directive, GTCO Plc stood out as the lone positive performer, reflecting renewed investor confidence and an undercurrent of resilience in its fundamentals. GTCO opened trading at N71.50 and closed at N75.65, marking a gain of N4.15 or +5.80%, placing it among the top gainers of the day. This rally was backed by strong investor interest, as evidenced by: Total transaction value: N6.2…

Inflation Slows to 22.97%—Signs of Easing, But Challenges Remain In a cautiously optimistic development, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate slowed to 22.97% year-on-year in May 2025, down from 23.71% year on year in April, while still alarmingly high by both historical and regional standards, the moderation marks the first consistent month-on-month decline in over a year, hinting at a possible turning point in the country’s prolonged inflationary cycle. The marginal deceleration in headline inflation was largely underpinned by base effects, a modest appreciation of the naira against the dollar, and improved food supply chain dynamics, particularly with the onset of the…

CBN’s Forbearance Phase Out: What Investors Need to Know In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced regulatory forbearance to support the banking sector—much like other central banks globally. These measures included loan restructuring, interest rate reductions, and repayment moratoriums, helping banks keep loan defaults or non-performing loans under control during a tough economic period. Fast forward to 2025, the CBN has announced it will begin gradually phasing out these forbearance measures. This marks a significant shift for banks and investors alike, according to analysts. Since 2020, Nigerian banks have been allowed to keep…

Legend Internet Surges Amid Strong Q1, Market Momentum Legend Internet Plc continues to draw investor attention with a significant 9.88% price uptick, rising from N5.87 to close at N6.45 as of June 11, 2025. Since its listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) at N5.64, the stock has demonstrated solid volatility, reaching a 52-week high of N10.00 and a low of N5.34. Despite oscillating between N5.00 and N7.00 in recent months, the stock’s rebound to N6.45 signals renewed investor interest, particularly with technical support from its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, both positioned at N7.79. The current price reflects a potential…

Investor Insight: Beta Glass Plc Momentum Signals Further Upside Beta Glass Plc closed at N231.10 on Wednesday, rising 10% from its previous close of N210.10. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged from N44.50 to a high of N258.50, and it now trades just 10.6% below that peak—suggesting room for further appreciation. Strong fundamentals back this momentum, with FY 2024 and Q1 2025 results showing significant year-on-year growth in both revenue and profit. Given the current price of N231.10 and the positive earnings trajectory, the stock has a near-term upside potential to revisit its 52-week high of N258.50,…

Berger Paint Rides on Strong Financial, Price Edges Towards New High Berger Paints is experiencing strong upward momentum, with its share price rising to N24.80, a 9.98% increase from the previous close of N22.55. This places the stock within striking distance of its 52-week high of N25.40, having rallied from a 52-week low of N13.00—a gain of over 90% in the period. The company’s FY 2024 and Q1 2025 financials reflect notable year-on-year growth in both revenue and profit, signaling robust operational performance and improving investor confidence. Recommendation: BUY With strong fundamentals, bullish price momentum, and a target range likely…

End of Power Struggle as Otedola Clinches Control of First Holdco In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola has secured full control of FirstHoldCo Plc, ending a prolonged power struggle with former majority stakeholders, Oba Otudeko and the Olukayode Odukale-led Leadway Assurance bloc. This acquisition positions Otedola as the new board chairman of the conglomerate, solidifying his influence in the Nigerian banking sector. For years, FirstHoldCo Plc has been at the center of a corporate tug-of-war.  Oba Otudeko, the founder and former chairman, and Olukayode Odukale, representing Leadway Assurance, were the primary power brokers, each holding significant…

Top Stocks to Watch for Upside Potentials As Nigeria’s equity market prepares to reopen for the new trading week, investors are casting a sharp focus on high-performing stocks with strong upward trajectories and impressive financial fundamentals. The first half of 2025 has seen a dynamic reshaping of the equities landscape, with several stocks delivering outsized returns and catching the attention of institutional and retail investors alike. Here’s a curated list of radar-worthy stocks, driven by year-to-date momentum, robust earnings growth, and proximity to 52-week highs. 1. The Initiate Plc (TIP) Current Price: N6.49 YTD Return: +159.60% (from N2.50) 52-Week Range:…

Cornerstone’s Dividend Signals Renewed Optimism for Insurance Stocks After a prolonged period of silence, Cornerstone Insurance has finally rewarded its shareholders with a dividend of 27 kobo, representing a dividend yield of 7.56%. This marks a welcome turning point and could be seen as a renewable starting point for investor confidence in the insurance sector. For years, insurance stocks on the NGX have largely remained dormant, offering little to no return by way of dividends. However, the tide seems to be turning. The sector is slowly but steadily pulling weight and breaking free from the chains of long-standing investor neglect.…

Nigeria’s Capital Market Embraces T+2 Settlement Cycle In a move to deepen the efficiency and attractiveness of the Nigerian capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the official transition of the equity market’s settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2. Set to take effect from November 28, 2025, market analysts said this change marks a pivotal milestone in aligning Nigeria’s market infrastructure with global best practices. For years, stakeholders across the spectrum—investors, brokers, institutional traders, and regulators—have called for the modernisation of Nigeria’s equity settlement cycle. This much-anticipated innovation is designed to add value and drive competitiveness in…