First Holdco Completes Sale of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Financial services company First Holdco Plc has completed the divestment of merchant bank business FBNQuest Limited, according to an official statement. The financial services group said in a disclosure on the Nigerian Exchange that, in line with Rulebook, it has successfully completed the full divestment of its 100% ownership in FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited to EverQuest Acquisition LLP.MTN Nigeria stocks The group added that this transaction has been finalised after obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria. In all its corporate disclosure as regards the transaction, First Holdco did not disclose the amount. Most of the analysts that spoke with MarketForces Africa said the new capital requirement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) influenced the group decision to divest interest in its merchant banking business. Market value of First Holdco’s 41.977 billion outstanding shares hovered at N1.3 trillion on the Nigerian Exchange following a slight week-on-week positive price movement. Ellah Lakes Rallies on Positive Investors Sentiment
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade

 

First Holdco Plc’s stock market value increased by more than 12% last week, reflecting investors’ improved sentiment as the first quarter of the 2026 earnings season approaches.

The elephant-branded financial services holdings company’s earnings came under intense pressure following significant impairment charges against the 2025 profit.

 

 

The year-on-year surge in impairment charges and bad debt write-offs dragged profit down by 93% and stoked sell pressure on the local bourse.

Recent trading activity suggests investors’ sentiment is healing, as the market recorded significant volume in First Holdco.  The bargain hunting lifted the financial services company’s market value to N2.4 trillion, tracking slightly below its 52-week high.

According to data from the Nigerian Exchange, First Holdco’s share price traded amid significant volume throughout last week. The share price reached its week-high of N54 on Friday, as 10.879 million units of First Holdco, valued at N576.494 million, were traded.

 

 

In terms of market capitalisation, First Holdco ranked third in the Tier-1 bank league, tracking behind Zenith Bank and GTCO Plc.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here