capital market

Nigerian Exchange clarifies resolution for long term incentive plan

Published

2 years ago

September 21, 2022

…To seek shareholders’ approval for N35bn capital raise

The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) has said that the resolution for the allotment of 200,419,990 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each for the operation of a Long Term Incentive Plan consisting of a Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) and an Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP), was made at the Company’s 2021 AGM on 9 September 2021, for the purpose of operationalising the earlier approval of the establishment of an ESOP in 2020.

Reacting to recent media reports following the release of the Company’s notice for its upcoming annual general meeting, the Group noted that part of the approval granted by the shareholders at the 2021 AGM was for half of the total number of shares proposed for the LTIP being 100,209,995 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to be purchased by employees under an Employee Share Purchase Plan.

The statement signed by Mojisola Adeola, Group Company Secretary said: “Under the terms of the ESPP, the shares will be offered at a discount of between 15 per cent – 20 per cent of its market price and will be purchased by employees subject to the fixed cap per employee and availability of the pool.”

The other half relates to deferred bonus under the Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP), which is earned when eligible employees meet to set performance standards annually. Neither the DBP nor the ESPP are gifts to the employees. Both are multi-year plans.

On the dividend policy, the Group said, “Despite the demutualisation and restructuring of NSE at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ravaging impact on the economy, NGX Group, as a testament of its commitment to its shareholders and in readiness of providing returns to them in a sustainable manner, has published its dividend policy on its website to assist investors and the general public in understanding its value proposition. It is important to stress that as at 2020, when the Company was still a mutual entity, it was not permitted under extant laws to declare a dividend pursuant to the 2020 Audited Financial Statements.

“It bears emphasising that the demutualisation was completed in March 2021 and the listing in October 2021, which effectively means that the NGX Group’s first full year of operations post demutualisation and as a public company is 2022. This will be reflected in the 2022 Audited Financials in due course.”

The statement noted that the company intends to raise additional capital of up to N35 billion to fund the business expansion; the growth phase for existing business lines/investments; and investments in identified and carefully curated new targets, in line with the Company’s and NGX Group’s strategy.

“As captured in the notice of the AGM, the Company does not intend to raise the entire amount in USD. NGX Group has also identified viable investment opportunities in line with its strategic expansion plans, including deepening investments in the existing portfolio companies to ensure high and steady dividend returns.

“NGX Group is therefore on course with its long-term strategy which will ensure it provides competitive returns for its investors.”

capital market

Bearish trend halted as investors gain N70.87bn

Published

7 hours ago

April 23, 2024

NewsDirect

Investors in the Nigerian equities heaved a sigh of relief as the losing streak on the bourse was halted on Monday, April 22, 2024 as investors recorded a profit of N70bn at the end of trading.

This followed the boom in the share value of stocks like Japaul Gold, GTCO, FTN Cocoa, Universal Insurance Company and RT Briscoe amongst others on the trading floor today.

After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization increased to N56.367 trillion from N56.296 trillion posted by the bourse on Friday, last week.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) grew to 99,665.05 from 99,539.75 achieved by the bourse the previous day.

The market breadth was negative 16 stocks advanced, 18 stocks declined, while 85 stocks remained unchanged in 8, 298 deals.

Japaul Gold and Ventures Plc led other gainers with 9.58 percent growth to close at N1.83 from its previous price of N1.67, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), FTN Cocoa Processors, and Universal Insurance Plc are amongst other gainers that also grew their share prices by 9.55 percent, 8.76 percent, and 8.57 percent respectively.

On the flip side, The Initiate Plc led other price decliners as it shed 10% off its share price to close at N1.80 from its previous close of N2.00. Prestige Assurance, Omatek Ventures, and VitaFoam Nigeria Plc are amongst other losers that also shed their share prices by 9.84 percent, 9.52 percent, and 9.26 percent respectively.

On the volume index, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc traded 50.158 million units of its shares in 630 deals, valued at N1.1774 billion followed by Access Holdings Plc which traded 48.067 million units of its shares in 951 deals, valued at N815.925 million and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc which traded 41.746 million units of its shares in 776 deals, valued at N956.455 million.

On the value index, GTCO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N1.773bn in 630 deals followed by UBA which traded equities worth N956bn in 776 deals and ACCESSCORP which traded equities worth N815m in 951 deals.

capital market

Transcorp Power Plc grows PBT by 775% in Q1 2024

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

NewsDirect

Transcorp Power Plc (Transcorp Power), one of the electricity generating subsidiaries of Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate, Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), has demonstrated impressive financial performance in its released Q1 2024 unaudited financial statements, for the period ended March 31, 2024.

The Company recorded N67.86 billion in gross earnings, compared to N21.04 billion reported in Q1 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 223 percent.

The strong performance is further demonstration of the Company’s strategic focus and effective execution, as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.

Commenting on the financial highlights, Evans Okpogoro, the Chief Financial Officer said, “The Q1 2024 results saw a gross margin of 51 percent, a cost to income ratio of 70 percent and net profit margin of 30 percent compared to Q1 2023 gross margin of 37 percent, cost to income ratio of 87 percent and net profit margin of 13 percent.

“This highlights the remarkable operational efficiency gains of the Company. Transcorp Power has continued to grow its revenue aggressively and consistently over the last five years. We expect that by year end 2024, we will see a similar growth trajectory recorded between FY 2022 and FY 2023.”

Transcorp Power MD/CEO, Peter Ikenga, commented on the results, saying, “We are pleased to report further robust financial performance, despite sectoral challenges such as gas supply issues and macroeconomic challenges. Our ability to sustain growth amidst this environment shows the resilience of our business model and the efficient execution of our strategic initiatives.

“We remain committed to leveraging our strengths to capitalise on emerging opportunities, drive sustainable growth and provide superior value to all our stakeholders.

“We will continue to prioritise ingenuity, operational excellence, corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement, to deliver superior value for our long-term growth,” he added.

capital market

Investors end week’s trading with N173bn loss

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

NewsDirect

Investors in the Nigerian equities market ended the week’s trading with a N173 billion loss on Friday.

This followed the slump in the share value of Unity Bank, FBNH, Tantalizer, and Deap Capital Management & Trust, amongst others on the trading floor today.

After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalisation crashed to N56.2 trillion from N56.4 trillion posted by the bourse on Thursday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) fell to 99,539.75 from 99,845.91 achieved by the bourse the previous day.

The market breadth was negative as 14 stocks advanced, 19 declined while 87 others remained unchanged in 7,168 deals.

FTN Cocoa Processors led other gainers with 9.60 percent growth in share price to close at N1.37 from its previous N1.25 per share.

R.T. Briscoe, Livestock Feeds, and Royal Exchange also raised their share prices by 9.26 percent, 9.02 percent, and 8.06 percent respectively.

On the flip side, Unity Bank led other price decliners as it shed 10 percent off its share price to close at N1.62 from the previous N1.80 per share.

Tantalizers, Deap Capital, and Caverton Offshore equally shed their share prices by 8.57 percent, 7.35 percent, and 6.83 percent respectively.

On the volume index, United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 38.715 million shares valued at N880.5 million in 687 deals followed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) which traded 38.296 million shares worth N1.31 billion in 629 deals.

Access Holdings traded 34.339 million shares valued at N584.5 million in 660 deals.

On the value index, banking stocks led the way again as GTCO recorded the highest value for the day, trading stocks worth N1.31 billion in 629 deals followed by UBA which traded stocks worth N880 million in 687 deals.

Zenith Bank traded equities worth N875 million in 622 deals.