FBNH's ascent can be attributed to the announcement of the complete sale of its subsidiary, FBNQuest Merchant Bank. This strategic decision has been well-received by the market, resulting in a significant increase in both its share price and market capitalization. While GTCO continues to lead with a market cap of N1.36 trillion, Zenith Bank has fallen to third place with a valuation of N1.15 trillion.
Despite this shift, both Zenith Bank and FBNH, along with First Bank, have experienced substantial growth in their share prices since 2020, indicating strong investor confidence in the Nigerian banking sector.
Positive Share Price Trends
All three banks have shown robust bullish trends in their share prices since 2020, fueled by optimistic sentiment regarding the sector's resilience and profitability. Zenith Bank's share price, which reached a low of N11.70 in March 2020, skyrocketed by 210% to a high of N44.50 in March 2024. However, it later fell to N32.10 in April 2024 due to market uncertainties surrounding the bank's capitalization strategies.
FBNH has experienced an impressive 800% increase since its low of N3.95 in 2020, peaking at N35.55 around March 2024. GTCO's shares have also risen by 162%, climbing from N17.70 in 2020 to a high of N52.50 in March 2024. Although it saw a slight decline to N32.70 in April, the stock remains on a generally upward trend.
Factors Contributing to Positive Market Sentiment
Zenith Bank has experienced a significant boost in its performance, reporting a remarkable 108% increase in pre-tax profit year-on-year, climbing from N350 billion in the first half of 2023 to N727 billion in the first half of 2024. This impressive result led to a 16% rise in its share price, accompanied by a substantial trading volume of 358 million shares.
For FBNH, the divestiture of FBNQuest Merchant Bank resulted in a stock price increase of over 30%, indicating strong investor trust in the bank's strategic initiatives.
Additionally, the bank announced a pre-tax profit of N411.9 billion for the first half of 2024, a significant rise from N205 billion in the previous year.
GTCO has also demonstrated strong financial results, with pre-tax profits surpassing N1 trillion in the first half of 2024, further solidifying its position as a market leader.
Comments from Banking Executives
Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, conveyed optimism about the bank's prospects, stating, “We possess the capacity, network, balance sheet, and technology to maintain our competitive edge in the industry.”
In a similar vein, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, highlighted the company's resilience, remarking, “In spite of the uncertainties in the operating environment, our record profit in the first half of the year underscores the robustness of our business model.”
FirstBank's Managing Director, Olusegun Alebiosu, also reiterated the bank's dedication to achieving strong performance, pointing to its strategic initiatives and financial outcomes as indicators of future success.
Despite the ever-changing landscape of the banking sector, GTCO, FBNH, and Zenith Bank continue to lead, demonstrating resilience and growth in a challenging economic environment.
The upward trend in their stock prices and financial achievements reflects a strong investor belief in the future of the sector.