Business
Emerging market sell-off spills over to Europe, U.S.
LONDON – A global flight from emerging market assets gathered pace on Friday, sending the Turkish lira to a record low and setting global shares on course for their worst week this year.
European shares fell, especially in firms exposed to emerging markets, and a sell-off on Wall Street was poised to extend into a second day as investors worried about the impact of slower growth in China, U.S. monetary policy and political problems in Turkey, Argentina and Ukraine.
The sell-off raised the prospect of a repeat of moves last June when developing country stocks fell almost 18 percent and hit global shares. This came after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled its intention to scale back the bond-buying stimulus that had led investors to chase higher returns in emerging market assets.
“We expect the emerging market sell-off to get worse before it starts getting better,” said Lorne Baring, managing director of B Capital Wealth Management in Geneva.
“There’s definitely contagion spreading and it’s crossing over from emerging to developed in terms of sentiment.”
European shares tracked Asian stocks lower. Spain’s IBEX index, highly exposed to Latin America, lagged other regional bourses, falling nearly 3 percent.
The Turkish lira hit a new record low of 2.33 to the dollar, even after the central bank spent at least $2 billion trying to prop it up on Thursday.
Turkey’s new dollar bond, sold only on Wednesday, fell below its launch price. The cost of insuring against a Turkish default rose to an 18-month high and Ukraine’s debt insurance costs hit their highest since Kiev agreed a rescue deal with Russia in December.
Argentina decided to loosen strict foreign exchange controls a day after the peso suffered its steepest daily decline since the country’s 2002 financial crisis.
In the last week, investors withdrew some $2.5 billion from emerging stocks. Investments in Latin American alone dropped by $398 million, or 1 percent, analysts said, citing EPFR data.
“I think you’ve got a bit further to go in terms of outflows from emerging markets,” Mark Tinker, head of AXA Framlington Asia, said.
An MSCI index of emerging market shares was down 1.2 percent, taking its weekly loss to 4.7 percent, its steepest since early November. The MSCI all-country world equity index was down 0.5 percent, on course for a weekly loss of 0.8 percent, its worst since mid-December.
The dollar edged lower after losing 0.9 percent against a basket of major currencies, including the euro, yen, Swiss franc and sterling, on Thursday. That was its worst one-day performance in three months.
“When investors avoid risk, they buy currencies backed by a current account surplus,” said Sho Aoyama, senior market analyst at Mizuho Securities in Tokyo.
WALL STREET
U.S. stock futures suggested a sell-off on Wall Street had further to go on Friday. March contracts on the S&P 500 were down 0.6 percent.
On Thursday, the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 0.9 percent and the Dow Jones industrial average 1.1 percent to record its third consecutive day of losses.
A flight to safety lifted currencies backed by a current account surplus, such as the Japanese yen and Swiss franc, and highly rated government bonds. German Bund futures rose and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit an eight-week low.
Gold traded close its highest in nine weeks and poised for a fifth straight weekly climb as weaker equities burnished its safe-haven appeal.
– REUTERS
Shareholders of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) have commended the Board and Management for the Group’s performance and strategic direction, urging continued focus on growth and long-term value creation.
At the Group’s 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, alongside key resolutions including a final dividend of ₦2.00 per share, a one-for-three bonus share issue, and the corresponding increase in share capital. The re-election of Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Independent Non-Executive Director and Mrs. Ojinika Olaghere, Independent Non-Executive Director reinforced continuity in governance and oversight.
They acknowledged the Group’s disciplined execution and its role in strengthening the Nigerian capital market, noting that recent developments reflect a more structured and better-regulated market environment.
Speaking during the meeting, the President, New Dimension Shareholders Association, Patrick Ajudua, commended the leadership of the Group for delivering a strong financial outcome, noting that the results reflect both improved market conditions and deliberate strategic execution. “The numbers speak to a business that is gaining strength and direction,” he said.
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Similarly, the Chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, lauded the Group’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development. “The market is becoming more forward-looking, supported by strong leadership at the Group level. Initiatives around market infrastructure and participation are yielding results, and this is positive for investors,” he noted.
Commenting during the AGM, Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, appreciated shareholders for their continued support and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to sustainable value delivery. He said, “The progress recorded reflects the strength of the Group’s strategy and the performance of its operating businesses. As a Board, our responsibility is to ensure disciplined oversight, uphold strong governance standards, and position NGX Group to deliver sustainable, long-term value to shareholders.”
Temi Popoola, group managing director/chief executive officer, focused on execution priorities, noting that the Group is positioning for scale. He said, “This next phase is about deepening momentum. Our priority is to scale infrastructure, broaden participation, and unlock new pathways for capital formation.”
The meeting reflected strong shareholder confidence in NGX Group’s leadership, with the Group reaffirming its commitment to playing a central role in the evolution of Nigeria’s capital market while delivering sustained returns to investors.
Sierra Leone has announced the signing of a petroleum licence agreement with Nigeria‑based Marginal Energy Limited, granting the company offshore exploration and production rights as the government seeks to revive interest in its under‑explored upstream sector.
The licence, signed through the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL), covers offshore blocks G‑145, G‑146, G‑147, G‑160 and G‑161, spanning about 6,800 square kilometres, according to a government statement, a Reuters report said.
Marginal Energy, a Nigerian independent, has committed to a seismic and drilling programme with exploration spending expected to exceed $225 million.
Under the agreement, the state will hold a 10 percent carried interest in oil projects and 5 percent in gas during exploration and development, with an option to acquire an additional participating interest on a paid basis of up to 9 percent once production begins.
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The deal was signed at the Invest in African Energy conference in Paris, where Sierra Leone has been promoting offshore licensing opportunities to international investors, the report added.
NASCON Allied Industries Plc has rewarded its shareholders with a historic 200 per cent increase in dividend payout, underscoring a remarkable financial performance that saw profit after tax surge by over 100 per cent to N33.5 billion in the 2025 financial year, despite a challenging operating environment.
The strong performance was unveiled at the Company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, where shareholders applauded the resilience, focus and strategic discipline of NASCON’s management and Board.
Reflecting the robust results, the Board of Directors approved a dividend of N6 per share—the highest since the Company was listed on the Nigerian Exchange, signalling NASCON’s confidence in its financial strength and long-term growth prospects.
Earnings per share (EPS) rose sharply by 115 per cent, from 577 kobo in the previous year to 1,241 kobo. Describing the outcome as the best financial performance in NASCON’s history, the Chairman, Mr. Olakunle Alake, attributed the results to improved operational efficiency, strict cost management and the dedication of the Company’s workforce.
“The operating environment in 2025 was characterised by economic volatility, persistent inflation and structural changes across key sectors,” Alake said. “Yet, NASCON remained resilient and strategically focused, delivering outstanding value to shareholders.”
He noted that operational sustainability remains a core pillar of the Company’s strategy. During the year, NASCON introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks into its logistics fleet to reduce fuel costs and minimise exposure to diesel price volatility. In addition, the Company’s state-of-the-art salt refinery, its largest production facility, now runs entirely on natural gas, significantly boosting efficiency while reinforcing NASCON’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
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The Managing Director, Mrs. Aderemi Saka, highlighted key milestones recorded during the year, including a 27 per cent growth in revenue and exceptional returns to shareholders through dividends. She attributed the achievements to a clear strategic vision, disciplined execution and sustained focus on cost-saving initiatives across production, logistics and fleet management.
Looking ahead to 2026, Saka reaffirmed management’s determination to build on the current momentum. She outlined strategic priorities for the coming year, including deeper cost optimisation, expanded market penetration, strengthened energy diversification and sustainability initiatives, as well as accelerated digital transformation and process automation.
In her remarks, Director Mrs. Tonya Lawani emphasised that the Company remains firmly committed to the principles that have driven its excellent performance, noting that NASCON approaches the new financial year from a position of strength, with further opportunities for growth and improvement.
Speaking on behalf of shareholders, Dr. Faruk Umar expressed strong confidence in the Company’s trajectory, citing NASCON’s rising share price, which recently crossed the N100 mark, and projecting further appreciation. He commended the quality of the Board and management team, noting that strong leadership and recent executive appointments have positioned the Company to deliver even greater value to all stakeholders.
With its record-breaking profit, unprecedented dividend payout and forward-looking strategy, NASCON Allied Industries Plc continues to consolidate its position as a leading force in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector while delighting shareholders with sustained value creation.
Photo Caption:
From Left: Company Secretary, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Oluseun Oluwole; Chairman, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Olakunle Alake; Managing Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka; Non-Executive Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Independent Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Tonya Lawani, at the NASCON Allied Industries Plc 2025 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Monday, April 27, 2026
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