By ebosele@hotmail.com –
Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has announced a record financial performance for the first half of 2026, declaring an interim dividend of ₦1.30 per ordinary share after posting significant growth in revenue and profitability.
The Group said its strong earnings reflect increased market activity, improved operating efficiency and stronger contributions from its equity-accounted investee companies.
According to its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, revenue surged by 118 per cent to ₦17.60 billion, compared with ₦8.08 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. Total income also rose by 96 per cent to ₦19.34 billion.
The impressive performance was driven mainly by heightened market activity, with transaction fees jumping 169 per cent to ₦13.34 billion from ₦4.96 billion. Listing fees increased by 59 per cent to ₦2.38 billion, while technology income grew by 19 per cent to ₦447.86 million.
Operating profit climbed by 155 per cent to ₦10.62 billion, up from ₦4.16 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting the Group’s ability to convert higher income into stronger profitability through disciplined cost management.
NGX Group also recorded a 130 per cent increase in its share of profit from equity-accounted investees to ₦4.14 billion, largely driven by the strong performance of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS).
Consequently, profit before tax rose by 170 per cent to ₦14.76 billion, while profit after tax increased by 146 per cent to ₦10.36 billion, compared with ₦5.46 billion and ₦4.22 billion, respectively, in the same period of 2025.
The Group maintained a strong financial position, with total assets increasing to ₦75.87 billion as of June 30, 2026, while shareholders’ equity grew to ₦60.49 billion from ₦55.20 billion at the end of 2025.
Commenting on the results, Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, said the Board’s approval of the ₦1.30 interim dividend underscores the strength of the Group’s first-half performance and confidence in its long-term prospects.
He said the Board remains committed to balancing attractive shareholder returns with sustained investments in technology, market infrastructure and strategic initiatives aimed at deepening Nigeria’s capital market and ensuring long-term growth.
Also commenting, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Temi Popoola, said the results demonstrate the strength and scalability of NGX Group’s business model.
According to him, higher transaction activity, increased listing income and stronger contributions from investee companies supported revenue growth, while disciplined execution translated into significantly improved profitability.
Popoola added that the Group remains focused on deepening market liquidity, expanding investor participation, accelerating technology-enabled products and building a more diversified financial market infrastructure group.
NGX Group noted that shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members on the qualification date will be entitled to receive the interim dividend of ₦1.30 per ordinary share, with the qualification date, closure period and payment date to be announced in line with the approved corporate action timetable and regulatory requirements.
