Fidelity Bank Rises as Investors Take Positions Ahead of Q4
Nigeria’s leading tier-2 lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, shareholders’ sentiment improved after the Nigerian lender released its earnings scorecard for the first half and third quarter of 2025.
The bank’s 50.212 billion shares outstanding were priced at N964.074 billion on Friday close, recording a N10.042 billion weekly gain, supported by shareholders’ improved sentiment over Q4 earnings outlook.
Its share price rose to N19.20 amidst increased trading activities, reflecting transactions among influential shareholders ramping up positions in anticipation of stronger Q4 earnings.
The price appreciation occurred as trading data showed that more than 29 million shares of Fidelity Bank Plc valued at N560.36 million were traded last in the local bourse.
Some analysts are projecting balanced earnings performance for the bank as the year-end close draws near. Increased regulatory action has put pressures on banks’ activities, reflecting in general reduction in the industry’s profitability.
MarketForces Africa reported that all the tier-1 lenders recorded a year-on-year decline in earnings performance except UBA with pan-African coverage.
Fidelity Bank Plc’s net profit fell by 5.7% to N211.7 billion in its unaudited results for 9 months of the financial year 2025 results. This happened despite a solid 38.8% increase in interest income and a 69.8% decline in credit impairment charges.
Still, Fidelity Bank retained earnings returned to positive territory, CardinalStone Securities Limited told investors, recovering from the negative position recorded in the second half of the year when about N303.0 billion was transferred to regulatory risk reserves following the exit of about N800.0 billion in forbearance loans.
Reflecting strong asset quality, the bank’s non-performing loans (NPL) moderated by 1.6% year on year, translating to NPL ratio of 2.2% from 2.6% in the equivalent period. The number is significantly below the 5% benchmark for the banking sector gauge. Dangote Cement Boosts Shareholders’ Value, Gains 15%
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