First HoldCo Tops N5tn Market Value After Strong H1 Earnings

• First HoldCo’s market capitalisation climbed above N5 trillion during Wednesday’s intraday trading after investors responded positively to the group’s impressive half-year financial performance.

• The lender’s shares traded between N112 and N113 on the Nigerian Exchange, extending gains from Tuesday’s close and making it the most valuable banking stock on the bourse.

• The rally followed the release of H1 2026 results, which showed gross earnings of N1.93 trillion and an 83.5 per cent jump in profit before tax to N653.5 billion.

July 22, () — First HoldCo Plc’s market capitalisation crossed the N5 trillion mark during Wednesday’s intraday trading, buoyed by renewed investor demand following the release of the group’s impressive half-year financial results.

The financial services group’s shares traded between N112 and N113 on the Nigerian Exchange, extending gains from Tuesday’s closing price of N105.

The rally lifted the company’s valuation above N5 trillion, cementing its position as the most valuable banking stock on the local bourse.

The milestone reflects growing investor confidence in the group’s earnings outlook after it posted a strong financial performance for the first six months of 2026.

Investor appetite for the stock strengthened after First HoldCo reported gross earnings of N1.93 trillion for the half-year period, underscoring the group’s ability to grow revenue despite a challenging operating environment.
Profit before tax also surged by 83.5 percent to N653.5 billion, highlighting a sharp improvement in profitability and reinforcing positive market sentiment around the lender’s growth prospects.

The earnings performance triggered sustained buying interest, pushing the stock higher during Wednesday’s trading session and driving its market value to a historic milestone.

First HoldCo emerges as banking sector leader

Crossing the N5 trillion valuation threshold places First HoldCo at the top of Nigeria’s banking sector by market capitalisation, reflecting the market’s confidence in its financial strength and long-term growth strategy.

The latest gains also underscore the strong investor preference for banking stocks that continue to deliver robust earnings and healthy returns, even as the broader market navigates economic uncertainties.

Market analysts have increasingly pointed to strong corporate earnings as a key driver of equity market performance, with investors rewarding companies that demonstrate resilience, profitability and sustainable growth.

For First HoldCo, the latest rally signals that investors remain optimistic about the group’s ability to sustain its earnings momentum in the second half of the year, particularly as demand for fundamentally strong banking stocks continues to support activity on the Nigerian Exchange.