Business
Ukraine’s Currency in Free Fall
LONDON – Ukraine’s currency slumped to its lowest level in roughly five years Wednesday, adding to pressure on President Viktor Yanukovych as he navigates between Russia and the West.
The U.S. dollar was quoted above 9.00 against the hryvnia for the first time since February 2009, according to traders, with Ukraine’s national currency going from its recent steady decline into free fall. The exchange rate is widely viewed in Ukraine as a bellwether of economic stability, and the National Bank of Ukraine has for years tightly managed the hryvnia slightly above 8 to the dollar.
Mr. Yanukovych is under pressure from more than two months of street protests against his decision to halt an integration pact with the European Union, instead sealing a $15 billion bailout from Russia. But he is now also facing a financial squeeze after he dismissed his government last week, and the Kremlin said it would pause its bailout until new ministers are appointed.
Analysts said the National Bank appeared to be managing the hryvnia lower. “They are stepping away from the peg. They know they can’t hold it as the Russian money isn’t there. They are trying to conserve reserves,” said Timothy Ash, an analyst at Standard Bank.
U.S. and European Union officials say they are putting together a financial bailout to tempt Mr. Yanukovych to strike a compromise with his opponents and forge a technocrat government that could push through economic overhauls. But prospects for a resolution look dim, as the opposition is demanding that more of the president’s powers be transferred to the cabinet before they agree to take government roles.
Mr. Yanukovych is holding talks in Kiev with EU foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton, and will meet Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Victoria Nuland tomorrow. He then flies to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Moscow sent $3 billion to Ukraine late last year, but held up a further $2 billion installment last week.
Ukraine’s acting prime minister, Serhiy Arbuzov, moved to deflect blame for the sliding hryvnia Wednesday. “Political instability is pressing on the currency market. There is strain despite the fact there’s no fundamental economic basis for it,” Mr. Arbuzov told a government meeting Wednesday. “There are no fundamental causes for concern. I again call on everyone to settle the conflict as quickly as possible.”
The hryvnia has been under selling pressure for weeks amid antigovernment protests that have turned violent at times. The currency’s decline has accelerated in recent days. Trading on Wednesday was illiquid with prices quoted erratically and with large variations, traders said, underscoring just how nervous the market had become.
“The National Bank of Ukraine seems to have finally abandoned its four-year hryvnia to dollar peg and will be moving further toward greater foreign-exchange flexibility,” said Vladimir Osakovskiy and Vadim Khramov, analysts at Bank of America BAC -0.73% Merrill Lynch.
As a result, the bank is forecasting the dollar will rise to as high as 10 against the hryvnia by the end of 2014.
“Before the protests the National Bank was coping with downside pressure on the hryvnia by squeezing money-market liquidity and carrying out FX interventions. Given the political uncertainty, pressure on the FX market increased partly due to households’ demand for foreign currencies. And the central bank is not willing to increase the amount of interventions,” said Alexei Pogorelov, economist at Credit Suisse CSGN.VX +0.15% in Moscow.
Analysts suspect the central bank would struggle to keep a lid on an aggressive hryvnia selloff. According to central-bank data, Ukraine had $20.4 billion in international reserves on Jan. 1, a relatively small amount. In December, it spent $942 million of reserves defending the currency.
The hryvnia’s fall could be exacerbated if households lose faith and shift out of the currency, as they did in 2008.
Nervousness spread as gasoline prices continued edging upward Wednesday on the back of the hryvnia’s weakness, increasing the squeeze on Ukrainians.
“The price has gone up by 10-15 kopecks today, and I have no idea what happens next,” said Artur Badenkin, sales manager at a Kiev gas station.
– WALLSTREET JOURNAL
Business
Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1
Improved operating performances have seen Eterna Plc report higher revenue and profitability for the second quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2026.
The company’s unaudited consolidated financial results showed that revenue rose by 38 per cent to N217.31bn from N157.65bn in the corresponding period of 2025.
The results show that gross profit more than doubled to N15.99bn, while operating profit increased to N8.78bn from N2.34bn. Profit before tax rose by 389 per cent to N7.67bn from N1.57bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit after tax (PAT) increased to N5.88bn from N573.81m, while earnings per share (EPS) improved to N2.69 from N0.44.
The company also reported an improved financial position, with total assets standing at N82.75bn as of June 30, 2026.
Cash and bank balances increased to N20.36bn from N4.79bn as of December 31, 2025, while total liabilities declined to N51.22bn from N84.43bn. Total equity rose to N31.53bn from N7.77bn, reflecting stronger liquidity and capitalisation.
ALSO READ: AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
On the results, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jude Nwaulune, said, “These results demonstrate the strength of our business and the impact of disciplined execution across our operations. The significant improvement in profitability and financial position provides a solid foundation to advance our growth priorities.
“The successful Rights Issue has further strengthened our balance sheet, resulting in a healthy leverage position, stronger equity and improved net assets. We remain focused on expanding our retail, aviation, lubricants and gas businesses, improving operational efficiency and customer experience, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.”
The company said its full unaudited consolidated financial statements for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, are available on its website.
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.”
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT
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.





