Kayode Tokede
The stock price of First Holdco Plc yesterday reached N140 per share on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), making it an all-time high since it was listed in 2012.
In its Year till Date (YtD) performance, the stock price of First Holdco has appreciated by 192.3 per cent from N47.90 per share it closed for trading in 2025, as its market capitalisation reached N6.37 trillion as of August 6, 2026
The N6.37 trillion market capitalization is the largest of all listed financial institutions on the NGX.
So far trading in August 2026, the stock has gained 8.1 per cent from N129.55 per share it opened for trading to close on Thursday at N140 per share.
Its market capitalization, however, on August 3, 2026 crossed the N6 trillion mark when the stock price was trading at N134 per share.
The oldest financial institution in Nigeria in July 2026 saw its market capitalisation above N5.7 trillion to become the top most capitalized financial institution on the NGX.
The growth in stock price is on the backdrop of Chairman of First Hooldco, Mr Fem Otedola acquiring additional shares of the Group and impressive half year (H1) 2026 result and accounts that was posted on the Exchange.
The billionaire investors in July 2026 acquired additional 2,485,226,155 shares of the Group to hike its stake to 26 per cent.
Otedola had acquired 1.77 billion shares of the financial institution through his investment vehicle, Calvados Global Services Limited.
According to a statement obtained from the NGX, Otedola acquired the shares at a value of N222.20 billion on July 30 — the second in the month.
The Holdings had announced its unaudited results for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2026 with profit before tax of N653.5billion, representing an increase of 84.5 per cent Year on Year (YoY)from N356.1 billion reported in half year (H1)2025.
One of the oldest banks in Nigeria history was its profit after tax moving from N289.8 billion in H1 2025 to N526.1 billion in H1 2026, a growth of 81.6 per cent YoY.
The result and accounts posted on the Exchange revealed that gross earnings closed H1 2026 at N1.93trillion, about 16.7per cent increase over N1.66 trillion reported in H1 2025.
The group closed the period with total assets of N30.65trillion, about 12.5 per cent growth from N27.25trillion reported in the 2025 full financial year. Modest increase in net customer loans & advances and customer deposits impacted on the total assets declared in the period under review.