capital market
Nigeria’s unclaimed dividends rises to N180bn
The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stated that the Commission is working to ensure it reduces the level of unclaimed dividends to zero per cent in the Nigeria financial market.
This was disclosed by Alhaji Lamido Yuguda, the Director-General, In an interactive session with the press on Tuesday in Lagos.
As of December 31, 2021, unclaimed dividends have increased to N180billion, according to Yuguda. Although N180billion in unclaimed dividends is a sizable sum, according to Yuguda, it represents only 5 per cent of the total amount of dividends announced in the entire capital market.
Alhaji Lamido Yuguda said, “That is a large amount, but when you compare that with the total amount of dividends declared in the Nigerian capital market, these unclaimed dividends amount to about five per cent of the total amount of dividends declared.
“Although, five per cent is still not the ideal number, it should be zero per cent. Every person, who has come to the capital market and invested money, should be able to get his dividends as and when due.”
He added that the SEC is collaborating with other industry stakeholders, including the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), to solve the issue of unclaimed dividends.
“The SEC has been working with CSCS, Registrars and the stockbrokers to make sure that every market appraisal makes it easy for the clients to fill their mandate form. We are also making sure that investors continue to get their dividends,” he added.
He also said that the Federal Government intervened last year by enacting a Finance Act on Unclaimed Dividends Fund.
He said, “The government is looking at unclaimed monies both in the capital market and the banking system and established a fund that will actually access through dividends that have been unclaimed for a certain number of years that meet certain basic definitions.
“It is not that the government has taken over the money, but when the claimants eventually surface, there is a system for recovering.
“Every person who has come to the capital market and invested money should be able to get his dividends as and when due,” he added.
He noted that SEC would continue working to ensure it gets to zero per cent level, saying that “there is a need for strong investor education to achieve success.”
The SEC boss had earlier stated that unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian Capital Markets rose to N170 billion as at December 2020. He added that the figure rose from N158.44 billion in total unclaimed dividends as of December 2019.
The Naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market on Friday to end the week on a positive note after nine days of depreciation.
FMDQ data showed that the Naira gained at N1505.30 against the dollar on Friday from N1510.10 traded on Thursday.
This represents an N4.8 gain against the dollar compared to the N1510.10 traded the previous day.
Similarly, the Naira saw a gain and traded N1515 against the dollar at the foreign exchange market on Friday.
This is the first time the Naira has appreciated since June 18, 2024, when it traded at N1482.72 per dollar at the official forex market.
The development comes as Nigeria’s external reserves rose to a record high of $34.07 billion on June 26, 2024.
By Esther Agbo
Consolidated Hallmark Holdings (CHH) Plc held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history.
CHH Chairman, Shuaibu Idris, In his address, highlighted the company’s impressive financial performance in the face of economic challenges.
He reported a 32 percent increase in insurance revenue, which rose from N11.9 billion in 2022 to N15.7 billion in 2023.
Total assets also saw substantial growth, jumping 44 percent from N18.2 billion in 2022 to N26.2 billion in 2023. Profit Before Tax (PBT) surged to N4.6 billion from N983 million, and total profit attributable to shareholders increased to N3.8 billion from N547 million in 2022.
Moreover, he stated the board’s commitment to shareholder returns was underscored by the announcement of a dividend of N0.05 per ordinary share, totaling N542 million.
Idris assured that qualifying shareholders who have updated their records with the Registrars would see their accounts credited by the end of the AGM.
Despite being a non-operating holding company, CHH is dedicated to maintaining control over its subsidiaries, making strategic investments, and protecting the Group’s assets.
He expressed optimism about the future, emphasising the role of technology in consolidating CHH’s position in the financial services sector.
“We remain optimistic of a more friendly operating environment in the years ahead, which we hope to take full advantage of and increase the market share of our member companies in all sectors where we are operational.
“The use of technology remains pivotal in our quest to continually consolidate our operations as one of the top players in the financial services sector and beyond,” he noted.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, CHH, Eddie Efekoha highlighted the company’s long-term growth, noting a 465 per cent increase in total assets of N4.6 billion since 2007. Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 589 per cent, reaching N3.7 billion in 2023, driven by improved premium rates and compliance efforts in motor insurance.
Efekoha, reflecting the Group’s commitment to prompt settlements, reported that the Group paid out N5 billion in claims in 2023, up from N4.4 billion in 2022. He also noted that this represents a 2,485 per cent increase compared to the N197.2 million paid in claims in 2007.
He said, “As a Group, we remain committed to prompt claims settlement whether in Health Insurance, Micro life Assurance or in our General Business and Special Risks Insurance. Our quest to significantly grow our market would continually receive a boost with the faith of our customers in our ability and preparedness to meet their needs when claims arise.”
He further explained that raising the premium rate for Motor Insurance and rigorous compliance measures led to higher income in this business sector.
He added that increasing the third-party motor insurance rate for private cars from N5,000 to N15,000 was necessary due to inflation and the industry’s long-standing failure to adjust rates in line with economic conditions.
The AGM featured praise from shareholders, including Chairman Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN, Sir Sunny Nwosu, who commended the seamless transition to a holding company and urged continued growth. Another shareholder, Nona Awo, echoed these sentiments, encouraging the board to build on its achievements.
Investors in the Nigerian equities market lost N250 billion at the close of trading on Tuesday.
This followed the dip in the share value of Oando, UPL, Academy, and others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalisation crashed to N56.1 trillion from N56.3 trillion posted by the bourse on Monday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) decreased to 99,217.60 from 99,651.67 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was negative as 26 stocks advanced, 23 declined, while 72 others remained unchanged in 8,511 deals.
Okomuoil, John Holt, and Conhall PLC led other gainers with 10 percent, 9.79 percent and 9.43 percent growth in share price to close at N291.50, N3.14, and N1.74 from the previous N265.00, N2.86, and N1.59 per share.
On the flip side, Oando, UPL, and Academy led other price decliners as they shed 9.75 percent, 9.09 percent, and 8.00 percent each to close at N12.50, N2.50, and N1.84 from the initial N13.85, N2.75, and N2.00 per share.
On the volume index, Transcorp led trading with 47.509 million shares valued at N581 million in 306 deals followed by GTCO which traded 37.853 million shares valued at N1.64 billion in 258 deals.
Veritaskap traded 34.950 million shares valued at N31 million in 173 deals.
On the value index, GTCO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N1.64 billion in 258 deals followed by MTNN which traded equities worth N598 million in 427 deals.
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