Business
NSE going through worst sell-off since 2009
LAGOS – In an effort to correct the Nigerian stocks, the sell-off by bearish investors has made the benchmark share index to begin with its worst start since 2009.
After posting one of its biggest rallies in 2013, the market starts of in the worst way possible, Stocks have lost -8.41 percent year-to-date, the worst performance since stocks fell -8.85 percent between January and March 2009
“The investment climate now is fogged by different kinds of headwinds, although asset valuations remain low and attractive,” said Abiodun Keripe, research analyst at Lagos-based Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
“Headwinds from QE tapering, CRR hike on public sector deposit, sharp decline in external reserve to about $38.4 billion, the CBN governor’s suspension, and uncertainty from impending elections are factors that are depressing markets currently,” he said.
Most banking stocks have fallen this year as investors fret over the possible outcome of this week’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. Analysts expect a further tightening of liquidity via a possible increase in the cash reserve requirement (CRR) on public sector deposits to 100 percent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Guaranty Trust Bank plc, the country’s biggest lender by market value, gained 3.4 percent to N25.85 last Friday, bringing year-to-date losses to -5.07 percent.
Access Bank, another tier-one lender, rose by 0.26 percent to close trading at N7.62 a share. The lender, which acquired distressed lender Intercontinental Bank, has dropped -20.73 percent year-to-date.
The shares of other first-tier banks, such as Zenith, FBN Holdings and UBA, have lost -19.71 percent, -23.62 percent and -20.22 percent, respectively, this year.
“The rate of downturn of equities in recent trading days is majorly tied to low investment appetite for equities, weak investor confidence in a recovery as well as the dominance of market-wide negative sentiments. The sell pressure has persisted as significant catalysts that may drive demand levels and swing equities in a positive trend are yet to surface,” said research analysts at Meristem Securities in an email response to questions.
Stocks fell for three out of five days last week. Wednesday’s (March 19, 2014) decline on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) marked a streak of six straight days of losses.
The NSE-ASI surged 47 percent in 2013, finishing the year at the highest level since September 2008. Most analysts had expected the rally to continue at least in the first half of 2014, but that follow through has yet to materialise.
“The major trigger which was initially envisaged was companies’ corporate actions, but the declaration of ZENITHBANK and GUARANTY dividends at implied yield of 7.8 percent and 6.12 percent as at the time of declaration was clearly jettisoned by the market,” said Meristem research analysts.
The NSE All-Share Index (NSE-ASI) rose by 490.98 points or 1.32 percent to close at 37,799.58 points at the 2.30 p.m. close of trading in Lagos last Friday. About 309.7 million shares changed hands on Friday, with total value traded of N5.06 billion, according to data from the bourse.
Foreign investors may be selling stocks due to uncertainty over the CBN naira policy and prospects of a smooth confirmation hearing at the Senate for suspended Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s successor.
Total foreign outflows from the NSE rose by 34.8 percent between December 2013 and January 2014, according to the latest data from the bourse. Foreign outflows were N50.14 billion in January 2014, up from N37.17 billion in December 2013 and N20.50 billion in January 2013.
The CBN has spent $7.27 billion year-to-date to prop up the naira at its bi-weekly foreign exchange auctions.
The local currency has retreated 2 percent this year versus the dollar, despite heavy CBN intervention, while foreign reserves used to bolster the local currency has dropped 11 percent year-to-date.
Stocks are cheaper now than in 2009, even though company earnings have grown from the levels they were at five years ago.
“The NSE-ASI index price-earnings ratio closed 2009 at 33.58x. This, compared with 13.43x it is presently valued clearly shows how undervalued the overall market is,” said Keripe.
Business
AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
AVA Capital Plc has been admitted to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) following the listing by introduction of its 5 billion ordinary shares at ₦7.50 per share, with a market capitalisation of ₦37.5 billion.
The listing marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth, strong corporate governance and long-term value creation, while enhancing its visibility within Nigeria’s capital market.
Speaking at the listing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of AVA Capital Plc, Kayode Fadahunsi, described the admission as a defining moment in the Company’s evolution. “Our admission to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange is more than a listing; it is a public affirmation of the business we have built and the future we are committed to creating. We have established a resilient institution with a clear growth strategy, strong governance culture and an unwavering focus on creating sustainable value for our shareholders. Becoming a listed company deepens our accountability, broadens our visibility and positions us to seize new opportunities as we continue our growth journey.”
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Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, said the admission reflects the continued confidence of businesses in Nigeria’s capital market as a platform for sustainable growth. “Today’s listing reflects the confidence that forward-looking companies continue to place in the Nigerian capital market. By joining the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange, AVA Capital Plc is embracing the transparency, governance standards and market discipline that define public companies, while positioning itself to access a broader investor base and unlock long-term value. We are delighted to welcome AVA Capital Plc to the NGX family and look forward to supporting its continued growth.”
The admission of AVA Capital Plc expands the range of investment opportunities available to investors while reinforcing NGX’s commitment to connecting businesses with long-term capital and supporting their growth through enhanced visibility, strong governance and deeper investor engagement.
Business
NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT
June 2026 results of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) shows a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N535 billion, despite recording a marginal decline in crude oil and condensate production during the month.
The figure represents a 15.8 percent increase over the preceding month, according to the latest Monthly Financial and Operations Report of the state oil major, which indicates that the PAT rose by N73bn from the N462bn recorded in May, while revenue increased to N4.389tn.
According to the report, the company remitted cumulative statutory payments of N6.286tn to the Federation in H1, 2026.
It read, “NNPC Limited recorded N535bn profit after tax for the month of June, representing a 15.8 per cent increase from the N462bn recorded in May. Total revenue for the month stood at N4.389tn, while cumulative statutory payments to the Federation for the period January to June 2026 increased to N6.286tn, underscoring NNPC Limited’s sustained contribution to national revenue generation.”
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Average crude oil and condensate production declined marginally to 1.72 million barrels per day in June from 1.73 million barrels per day in May, representing a 0.58 percent decrease. However, output was 1.18 percent higher than the 1.70 million barrels per day recorded in June 2025.
According to the report, production was affected by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues and subsurface challenges across several assets.
It stated, “June production performance was impacted by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues, and subsurface challenges across several assets. However, performance was partially mitigated by production ramp-up following the completion of the Assa-Rumuekpe and 28-inch TNP Turnaround Maintenance.”
Despite the slight production decline, crude oil and condensate sales surged to 28.23 million barrels in June from 18.95 million barrels in May, representing a 48.97 percent month-on-month increase. The June sales volume was also 6.77 percent higher than the 26.44 million barrels sold in June 2025.
Gas production also improved, rising to 7,841 million standard cubic feet per day from 7,774 million standard cubic feet per day in May, while gas sales recovered to 4,970 million standard cubic feet per day from 4,921 million standard cubic feet per day.
The report highlighted progress on two major gas infrastructure projects. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline reached 98 percent completion, with final tie-in works ongoing.
It stated, “The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline progressed to 98% completion, with final tie-in works ongoing towards achieving First Gas in August 2026.”
Construction on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline also advanced to 94 percent completion. According to the company, “Construction and installation activities on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline advanced to 94 per cent completion, supporting the target of early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.”
The NNPC Ltd declared that it would continue implementing measures to sustain production growth despite operational challenges.
It stated, “Focus remains on delivering incremental production across the asset portfolio by improving facility reliability and availability, minimizing Unscheduled Downtime, optimising crude export operations, and accelerating the maturation of production opportunities to sustain Upstream production growth.”
The report also showed that upstream pipeline availability remained at 100 percent during the month, while petrol availability across the NNPC Retail Limited stations stood at 53 percent. It added that all production, sales and financial figures remained provisional and were subject to reconciliation with relevant stakeholders.
Business
Imported Petrol Now Costs More than Dangote Fuel – Report
The landed cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) has climbed above the gantry price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reinforcing calls by petroleum marketers for Nigeria to halt fuel importation and prioritise local refining.
The latest Energy Bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria showed that the spot landed cost of imported petrol stood at N1,223.32 per litre as of July 29.
The price is higher than the Dangote refinery’s gantry price of N1,215 per litre, indicating that imported petrol currently costs marketers more than supplies sourced from the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lekki-based refinery.
The MEMAN bulletin also showed that Brent crude averaged $90 per barrel during the review period.
The development comes days after the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria renewed its call for an end to petrol importation, arguing that local refining capacity is sufficient to meet the country’s fuel demand.
IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, recently told The PUNCH that there was no justification for continued petrol imports when local refineries, particularly the Dangote refinery, were producing enough to supply the domestic market.
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He argued that importing petrol when locally refined products were available only exerted additional pressure on foreign exchange and undermined investments in domestic refining.
The latest pricing data appears to support the marketers’ position, with the landed cost of imported petrol now exceeding the Dangote refinery’s gantry price.
According to the MEMAN bulletin, Dangote’s coastal price for PMS stood at N1,195 per litre, while its gantry price was N1,215 per litre, inclusive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority charges.
The report also showed that the naira averaged N1,367.03/$ during the review period, while international crude oil prices remained elevated, contributing to higher import costs.
The rise in global crude prices also pushed up the cost of refined petroleum products internationally. The price of diesel traded on the Intercontinental Exchange in Europe averaged $1,246.54 per metric tonne during the review period.
The bulletin further revealed that the spot landed cost of diesel rose to N1,739.96 per litre, compared with a 30-day average of N1,427.00 per litre, while aviation fuel climbed to N1,616.43 per litre against a 30-day average of N1,421.10 per litre.
The pricing trend suggests that locally refined petrol currently offers marketers a cheaper alternative than imports.
Earlier, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria urged the Federal Government to halt the importation of petrol, arguing that imported petrol has become more expensive than locally refined products and is frustrating efforts to stabilise prices in the downstream sector.
The association said the continued issuance of fuel import licences was worsening price volatility, putting additional pressure on the naira and undermining the competitiveness of domestic refineries, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the recent import licences issued by the NMDPRA had failed to achieve their intended objective of moderating domestic fuel prices.
According to him, petrol imported under the new licences is being sold at rates significantly higher than the price of products supplied by the Dangote refinery.
Meanwhile, data from Petroleumprice.ng also showed that some depot owners continued to adjust their ex-depot petrol prices on Thursday amid changing market conditions. AIPEC sold at N1,216 per litre.
Ardova reduced its ex-depot price by N1 to N1,217 per litre, while Ascon and T-Time each cut their prices by N2 to N1,216 per litre. Emadeb, however, increased its price by N1 to N1,218 per litre, while NIPCO retained its price at N1,217 per litre.
Outside Lagos, Aradel raised its ex-depot price by N5 to N1,240 per litre in Port Harcourt. Matrix and Sigmund reduced their prices by N10 each to N1,225 and N1,224 per litre, respectively, while T.S.L. cut its price by N15 to N1,225 per litre.
In Calabar, Hong Petroleum, Mainland and Sobaz each reduced their depot prices by N5 to N1,220 per litre. In Warri, A.Y.M. Shafa increased its price by N3 to N1,233 per litre, while Optima raised its price by N2 to N1,232 per litre. Matrix reduced its price by N3 to N1,230 per litre, while Rainoil cut its price by N2 to N1,240 per litre.
The PUNCH reports that the pump prices of petrol currently hover around N1,250 to N1,300 per litre in Lagos and Ogun states, while they are higher in the North and other distant locations.





