Finance

May & Baker Nigeria Floats N2.45b Rights Issue

Published

5 years ago

October 2, 2018

May & Baker Nigeria Floats N2.45b Rights Issue

Directors of May & Baker Nigeria Plc and professional advisers to the healthcare company have signed off the offer documents for the company’s recapitalisation, paving the way for application list for the offer to open.

At a signing ceremony in Lagos, the board of the company, issuing houses and other professional parties rounded off the pre-offer processes with the formal signing of the offer documents including the rights issue circular, posters and other agreements.

The signing ceremony followed approval of the rights issue by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Shareholders had in 2014 empowered the company to raise up to N3.2 billion new equity capital.

Capital Assets Limited and Compass Investments &Securities Limited are the stockbrokers to the rights issue while Cordros Capital Limited and Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited are the issuing houses.

May & Baker Nigeria will be offering 980 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.50 per share to existing shareholders. The rights issue has been provisionally pre-allotted on the basis of one new ordinary share for every one ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

Application list for the rights issue is scheduled to open on Monday October 15, 2018 and close on Wednesday November 21, 2018.

Chairman, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Lt. Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), recently told shareholders that directors of the company believed that the time is now right to raise the funds to enable the company harness new opportunities.

“Therefore our rights issue will soon open and I hope shareholders will take up their rights to support our company in achieving its new vision. We shall all reap the rewards in the immediate future and beyond,” Danjuma said.

He outlined that the company has envisioned a new vision that will see it dominating the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) markets in line with its new vision of being the leading healthcare brand in SSA.

According to him, the new five-year strategic plan of the company entails focus and expansion along the company’s competitive advantage of healthcare and it will soon begin to establish footprints and seek dominance in this area in the SSA region.

“Your company has turned the corner and is now solidly on the path of growth and strong profitability. Our plan in the next few years is to focus on driving our new vision, strategic goals and establishing our footprint as a leading healthcare brand in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company will strive to acquire required competencies in related business areas, expand its regional reach to explore new markets, improve capacity utilization at our WHO GMP pharmaceutical facility in Ota and continue to deliver value and returns on investments to our loyal shareholders,” Danjuma said.

May & Baker Nigeria had sustained impressive growth in the first half of this year as net profit rose by 534 per cent to N601.37 million.

Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of May & Baker Nigeria for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 had shown that total comprehensive income-which included profit after tax and extra ordinary income rose to N601.37 million in first half 2018 as against N94.86 million recorded in the comparable period of 2017.

The 534 per cent increase in net distributable earnings has raised strong prospect of possible significant increase in dividend payout to shareholders. The healthcare company had increased its dividend payout by 233 per cent for the 2017 business year after it rounded off the year with significant growths in profitability.

The report showed a well-rounded improvement in the bottom-line of the healthcare company as key underlying profitability margins improved considerably during the period. Pre-tax profit margin-which measures average pre-tax profit per unit of sale and serves as benchmark for profitability of the company, tripled from 3.13 per cent in first half 2017 to 8.44 per cent in first half 2018. Gross profit margin had increased from 30 per cent in first half 2017 to 33 per cent in first half 2018 while operating margin also grew to 12.7 per cent in 2018 as against 10.11 per cent recorded in corresponding period of 2017.

Market analysts said the increase in gross margin, operating margin and pre-tax profit margin showed that the company’s performance in the first half was driven by improved business operations, increased efficiency and better cost management.

The report showed that group’s profit before tax rose by 178.76 per cent to N388.90 million in first half 2018 as against N139.51 million recorded in comparable period of 2017. Profit after tax also leapt by 178.78 per cent from N94.86 million to N264.45 million. Earnings per share thus increased from 9.68 kobo in first half 2017 to 26.98 kobo in first half 2018. With the addition of N336.92 million gain from discontinued operations of its food business , total net earnings jumped to N601.37 million in first half 2018 compared with N94.86 million recorded in first half 2017.

Group operating profit had increased by 29.9 per cent from N452.25 million to N587.35 million. Gross profit also rose from N1.34 billion to N1.52 billion. Group turnover had increased from N4.47 billion in first half 2017 to N4.61 billion in first half 2018. Further analysis had shown that the company’s finance costs reduced by 36 per cent from N326.87 million in first half 2017 to N209.34 million in first half 2018.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Finance

Falcon Corporation Secures N19.41bn Debt Facility for State-of-the-Art LPG Facility in Port Harcourt

Published

12 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Investors King

Falcon Corporation Limited, a prominent player in Nigeria’s energy sector, has successfully secured a N19.41 billion debt facility from the Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria-managed Infrastructure Debt Fund (NIDF).

The financing will be used for the development of a cutting-edge 15,000 metric ton Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility and a dedicated jetty in Rumuolumeni, Saipem/Aker Base Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Managing Director of Falcon Corporation, Prof. Joe Ezigbo, emphasized the company’s commitment to national service through investments in the gas industry.

He highlighted the strategic positioning of the LPG facility in proximity to major gas sources and navigable water routes, anticipating economic gains, job creation, income growth, health improvements, and environmental sustainability.

“We positioned our LPG facility strategically in proximity to major Gas sources and navigable water routes. The Project is set to facilitate and enhance more direct procurement and distribution of LPG, which will dramatically lower conventional delivery and storage costs,” said Prof. Joe Ezigbo.

The project has achieved significant milestones, reaching a completion rate of 65% as of October 2023. Various phases of development, including the completion of the jetty, shoreline protection, and engineering activities, have contributed to this progress.

The entire project is expected to be completed and commissioned by Q4 2024.

Falcon’s General Manager, Finance, Nelson Walter, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with NIDF, highlighting their reputation for providing reasonable terms for impactful infrastructure projects.

The flexible long-term loan repayment structure aligns with Falcon’s goals, making the collaboration instrumental in realizing this groundbreaking project.

Financial advisers Vetiva Capital Management Limited and Chapel Hill Denham Advisory, along with legal counsel Detail Commercial Solicitors, played crucial roles in facilitating this strategic debt facility for Falcon Corporation’s ambitious LPG infrastructure development in Rivers State.

Finance

Nigerian Financial Market Sees Vibrant Trading Amidst N90bn Loss

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2023

Investors King

The Nigerian financial market showcased robust trading activities, dominated by the financial services sector.

Despite this upbeat activity, investors witnessed a net loss of N90 billion by the close of trading.

The financial services industry took the lead in trading, accounting for 67.68% of the total equity turnover volume and 47.30% of the value.

A total of 1.721 billion shares valued at N18.28 billion exchanged hands in 17,151 deals.

The conglomerates industry followed suit with 200.584 million shares worth N1.55 billion traded in 2,073 deals.

The services industry claimed the third position, boasting a turnover of 122.025 million shares valued at N376.17 million in 2,051 deals.

Despite the overall market capitalization dipping by 0.23% to N39.082 trillion due to the delisting of Union Bank of Nigeria’s entire issued share capital, the NGX All-Share Index experienced a 0.27% increase, closing the week at 71,419.87.

Additionally, McNichols Consolidated Plc contributed to the market dynamics by listing 398,053,129 ordinary shares at N0.50 arising from its rights issue.

The total issued and fully paid up shares of McNichols expanded from 718,740,000 to 1,116,793,129 ordinary shares.

The trading landscape witnessed a significant surge, with a 4.88% increase in total traded volume, reaching 2.54 billion units in weekly deals.

The number of trades grew by 8.75%, totaling 36,138, and the weekly traded value surged by 70.50%, amounting to N38.64 billion.

Banking Sector

Zenith Bank Signs MOU With CFA Institute to Develop Finance and Investment Professionals

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2023

Investors King

Zenith Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute to promote efforts and activities that support the formation, training, and updating of human capital in finance and investment for the overall development of the Nigerian financial services sector.

The MoU, was signed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; the President/CEO of the CFA Institute, Margaret Franklin; and the President of CFA Society Nigeria, Ibukun Oyedeji on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu commended the CFA Institute and the CFA Society, Nigeria for their laudable programmes in developing finance and investment professionals in Nigeria.

According to him, your Women in Investment Management Initiative, CFA Institute Research Challenge, CFA Society Nigeria Ethics Challenge and University Affiliation Program are very laudable, and Zenith Bank will continue to partner with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria to ensure that young finance and investment professionals get the needed support for their career development.

In his words, “As a good corporate citizen, Zenith Bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of the society. As such, we continue to support projects and initiatives that have long-term social and economic benefits for our various publics and stakeholders. Partnering with the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Nigeria is therefore a demonstration of our commitment to building professional excellence in the finance services industry in Nigeria”.

At the CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference, during the ‘Journey to the Top: A Discourse with CEOs’ segment, Dr. Onyeagwu inspired future finance and investment professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity.

He stressed the importance of making difficult yet high-quality decisions, building robust networks, and dedicating themselves to hard work for career success.

In his words, “as upcoming professionals, the opportunities are immense for you. Africa doesn’t get bigger than Nigeria. There is scarcity of the right kind of people that have the talent, that have the character and the leadership to provide leadership in organizations. Make a decision to be one of those, make a decision to be different. You must be driven by your passion; you must delay gratification. In Zenith what is driving us is the strive for excellence. It is not about who you are and where you come from. We have the best class of talents you can think of anywhere in the world.”

He assured the young finance and investment professionals that Zenith Bank will offer immediate employment opportunity to CFA Charter Holders and those who qualify as Chartered Accountants.

Also speaking on the MoU, the President/CEO, CFA Institute, Margaret Franklin reiterated the Institute’s commitment to the professional development of students and upcoming professionals.

In her words, “there are many things that we do for students, we invest heavily in students and why is that? Because they are our future. The mission of the CFA Institute is to lead the investment industry with the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society and that starts with our CFA programme”.

She commended Zenith Bank for its continued support to the CFA Society Nigeria and sponsorship of the CFA Institute Research Challenge over the years.

She also commended the bank for being one of the top employers of CFA members in the country. She expressed her admiration of the culture of excellence in Zenith Bank.

Also speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the President of CFA Society Nigeria, Ibukun Oyedeji commended Zenith Bank for its partnership with CFA Society Nigeria and its commitment to the development of young finance professionals in the country.

The the CFA Institute Africa Investment Conference is being hosted by the CFA Institute and CFA Societies from Ghana, East Africa, South Africa and Mauritius. The conference has representatives from over 20 universities in Nigeria (members of their investment clubs being supported by CFA Society).