Author: Julius Alagbe

Julius Alagbe is a senior financial journalist and Editor at MarketForces Africa with nearly two decades of experience in finance, accounting, and economics reporting.He is one of Nigeria's most prolific financial market reporters, covering capital markets, monetary policy, corporate earnings, banking, telecoms, and macroeconomic developments across Africa.Julius has built a strong footprint reporting on Nigeria's leading corporates and financial services sector, including coverage of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Central Bank of Nigeria monetary operations, MTN Nigeria, GTCO, and major investment banking transactions.He regularly monitors the CBN’s open market operations, interbank FX markets, and equity market movements, providing readers with real-time intelligence on Nigeria’s financial landscape.His reporting draws on direct access to institutional research from firms including Moody’s Ratings, CardinalStone Securities, Fitch, and other leading African investment houses.Julius brings analytical depth and editorial rigour to every story, making complex financial data accessible to professionals, investors, and policymakers across Africa.Julius Alagbe is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Multiverse Jumps by 58% on Hope of Improve Mining Operation Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc skyrocketed in the equities market with about a 58% price uptick that pushed the mining company’s market value to N4.261 billion. In its first-quarter earnings scorecard, Multiverse’s earnings performance went down sharply due to reduced business activities that affected its sales and profitability. But investors appear to have started to take positions in the exploration company after rapid selloffs that pulled Multiverse down from its highest valuation in 52 weeks. With 48.90% free float, stock market activities were relatively strong all through the week, reflecting…

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Stockholders’ Wealth Boosted by N1.69 trillion Gain on NGX Stockholders’ wealth was boosted by a N1.69 trillion gain recorded in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) trading platform week on week, stockbrokers said. The local bourse sustained its bullish momentum during the week as investor sentiment turned increasingly positive, fueled by strong first-quarter 2025 earnings results. The All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 0.27% week-on-week to close at 106,042.57 points, driven by strong buy-side activities that lasted for four out of five trading sessions. According to stockbrokers, investors’ interest was seen particularly within the consumer goods sector. In line with the index movement,…

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Tinubu Changing Leadership Narrative in Nigeria – Wike The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is changing the leadership narrative in Nigeria. Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday, after inspecting some ongoing projects in preparation for the commemoration of Tinubu’s second year in office. He said that Tinubu’s impactful leadership was putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians, adding that the president had given first class infrastructure to residents of Abuja. “I have said before that leadership is a major issue. When you have right leadership, people will benefit from it.…

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CSCS Shareholders Approve N8.8bn Total Dividend in 2024 The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) shareholders have approved the payment of N8.8 billion final dividend of N1.76 per share for the 2024 financial year. The dividend approval was at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CSCS Plc held on Friday, in Lagos. This is an increase from the N7.5 billion of N1.50 dividend paid in the year 2023. Speaking during the AGM, Mr Temi Popoola, Chairman, Board of CSCS, said, “In recognition of our strong performance for the year 2024, the board of directors approves a dividend of N1.76 per…

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Nigerian Bond Yield Slides over Bargain Hunting The average yield on Nigerian government bond slide in the secondary market over bargain hunting supported by an improved investors’ sentiment. Improved investor sentiment in the secondary market for FGN bonds led to a slight 3 basis point decline in average yields, bringing them downward. Inflation fear and uncertainties that lie ahead continue to drive portfolio rebalancing efforts. Then, disinflation set in which caused real return on investors to reduce while the monetary authority kept rate at double digit high. But then, investors’ appetite for the naira asset remained strong, with pension fund…

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Money Market Rates Mixed as NTB Auction Debit Shakes Liquidity Money market rates headed in mixed direction as outflow for Nigerian Treasury bills (NTB) shake liquidity balance in the financial system. The interbank market liquidity faced ₦598.33 billion outflow for Nigerian Treasury bills auction settlement. In spite of this, the interbank market liquidity remained surplus. Local deposit money banks are still absent at the central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Standing Lending Facility (SLF) to borrow. According to some analysts, the amount sterilised at Standing Deposit Facility earnings floor rate remained sufficient to keep the market going in the absence of…

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First American Pope Elected, Chooses Name LEO XIV Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new pope. Prevost is a U.S. citizen and native of Chicago, and the first American pontiff in history. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. The conclave, which voted for a new leader after Pope Francis’s passing, chose Prevost on the second day of deliberations. The 69-year-old was elected pope at the Vatican City, Italy, on Thursday. The pope has made his first address amidst a cheering crowd. The Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as…

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Tinubu Says Economic Reforms Not to Punish Nigerians President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said that recent government policies are not meant to punish Nigerians, but are necessary interventions to prevent the economy from collapsing. Tinubu made this known at the 55th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in Abuja. The president was represented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa. Dangiwa was, in turn, represented by Dr Edna Tobi, Special Assistant for International Cooperation and Partnership in the Ministry. The conference’s theme was, “Transform, Invest, Drive: Optimising Real Estate Finance and…

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GTCO Tops N2.3trn in Market Value on Huge Trading Volume Guaranty Trust Holding Company (Ticker: GTCO) Plc topped N2.3 trillion in market value in the equities market, driving near its all-time high record again as investors continue to increase position in the banking group. Details from the Nigerian Exchange showed that the financial services company share price rose to N67.5 in the market as 98.641 million units valued at N6.568 billion exchanged hands on Thursday. Foreign investors have continued to hunt the brand as the group ensures it adds value to shareholders with highest dividend payment among banking giants in…

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Transcorp Hotels Drive Intraday Gain in Equities Market Transcorp Hotels Plc, and some banking names are driving intraday gain in the equities market on Thursday. Demand for stocks increased sharply this week amidst first quarter earnings release and dividend payments. Some key stocks are trading at ex-dividend already following mark down by the regulator – and this contributed to the ongoing boom in the Nigerian Exchange trading platform. Investors’ interest in Transcorp Hotels has lifted the hospitality linked stock price to inch near its maximum allowable daily movement. Stanbic IBTC is also attracting investors’ attentions with further surge seen in…

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