Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has made history, becoming the first listed financial institution in Nigeria to trade above N100 per share on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
Yesterday, GTCO’s stock soared to close at N101.00 per share, reflecting a 7.62% increase from the N93.85 opening price.
This milestone cements investor confidence in the holding company and underscores its position as Nigeria’s most profitable bank.
The rally was buoyed by multiple positive indicators: a robust first-quarter earnings report, strategic dual listings, and a series of shareholder-friendly projections.
So far in 2025, GTCO’s stock has delivered an impressive 57% gain — surging from N57 at the close of 2024 to its current trading price — translating into N44 per share in capital appreciation.
Week-to-date, GTCO shares are up 7.3%, fueled by the dual listing of over 2.28 billion ordinary shares on both the NGX and the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The market has reacted positively to this expansion strategy, alongside optimism over a potential interim dividend payout and the bank’s strict compliance with recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory mandates.
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GTCO reported a profit before tax of N300.4 billion for Q1 2025, driven by strong core earnings and efficient cost management. The company’s shares have climbed over 27% month-to-date, from N81.25 in early July.
Group CEO Segun Agbaje, speaking on the LSE dual listing, revealed the group’s bold targets: a minimum 15% dividend yield and a return on equity (ROE) of no less than 25%. “We are managing two expectations — a strong dividend yield for local shareholders battling inflation and high ROE for institutional investors,” he said.
The CBN’s June directive barring dividend payouts for banks under regulatory forbearance has created a more disciplined financial environment, which GTCO appears to be navigating with strategic agility.
Its clean compliance status and recent expansion moves are now paying dividends — literally and figuratively — with investors signaling confidence in its long-term outlook.
As GTCO continues to attract global capital and deepen its presence in international markets, its stock performance signals a new era for Nigerian financial institutions — one where local strength and global ambition intersect.
Source: https://www.arise.tv/gtco-becomes-nigerias-first-listed-financial-institution-to-trade-above-n100-per-share-on-ngx/
Image Credit: Legit.ng
