Business
Zenith Bank, Unilever, BUA Cement top stock pick this week
The earnings’ season is here once more, with the half-year period already gone past and the publication of corporate results set to commence any moment soon.
The largely positive investor sentiment that dominated trade in that period drove a sweeping rally in Nigerian stocks January though June. That positive has made the country’s equity market the best-performing in the world in dollar terms.
If half-year corporate reports come out stronger than they were a year ago, the market could ride on that momentum to turn out a fabulous yield that could meet investors’ expectations in the short term.
“Nevertheless, we expect pockets of bargain hunting to emerge as investors gradually position ahead of the H1:2026 earnings season, particularly in fundamentally sound stocks that have become more attractively valued following the recent market pullback,” analysts at Meristem Securities said in their note to investors last week.
“We also expect companies with strong earnings prospects and attractive interim dividend potential to continue attracting selective buying interest.”
PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment.
The pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions, with the expectation that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time.
This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions.
Zenith Bank
Zenith Bank tops this week’s pick on the basis of its strong fundamentals and for trading below its intrinsic value. The lender’s net profit ratio (NPR) is 21.8 per cent, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 4.4x. Its 14-day relative strength index (RSI) is 41.6.
Unilever
Unilever makes the selection for its strong fundamentals. The NPR of the consumer goods company is 14.8 per cent, while the PE ratio is 21.4x. Its 14-day RSI is 14.1.
BUA Cement
BUA Cement appears on the pick on the basis of its attractive fundamentals. The NPR of the cement manufacturer is 36.4 per cent, while the PE ratio is 25.5x. The 14-day RSI is 0.
READ ALSO: Zenith Bank backs Canada-Africa Business Conference to deepen trade, investment ties
Coronation Insurance
Coronation Insurance makes the selection by virtue of its strong fundamentals. The NPR of the insurer is 19.8 per cent, while the PE ratio is 8.1x. Its 14-day RSI is 46.2.
UACN
UACN makes the cut based on its strong fundamentals. The NPR of the conglomerate is 2.3x, while the PE ratio is 26.2x. Its 14-day RSI is 53.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has moved to address rail connectivity and logistics challenges affecting inland dry ports as part of efforts to integrate the facilities into the nation’s port system and improve cargo movement across the country.
The move followed a meeting between the NPA management, led by its Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, and the Executive Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, Ahmad Rabiu, alongside representatives of Funtua Inland Dry Port, at the authority’s corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
The engagement came after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, directed the transfer of operational oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.
The discussions focused on strengthening institutional collaboration, addressing infrastructure constraints and improving operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Dantsoho stressed the need to upgrade inland dry port infrastructure and technical capacity to complement ongoing modernisation efforts at the nation’s seaports.
He said the facilities must be equipped to handle increasing cargo volumes and support the broader transformation of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
“For our Inland Dry Ports to function at the same velocity as the ongoing modernisation across our seaports, we must proactively upgrade dry port infrastructure and technical capacity,” Mr Dantsoho said.
He explained that the integration of digital platforms, including the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window, into seaport operations must be matched by corresponding improvements at inland dry ports.
“As we integrate digital systems such as the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window in our seaports, the dry ports must deploy modern equipment and advanced technical capabilities to handle larger cargo volumes and bigger vessels coming to our coast,” he added.
Increased private-sector investment
The NPA managing director also called for increased private-sector investment in inland dry port infrastructure, noting that stronger investment would be critical to improving cargo handling capacity and operational efficiency.
He cited APM Terminals’ establishment of an Export Processing Terminal in Northern Nigeria as an example of private-sector participation in the development of inland logistics infrastructure.
ALSO READ: INVESTIGATION: Ganduje embroiled in multi-billion naira Kano dry port ownership scandal
Mr Dantsoho assured stakeholders that efforts to optimise the inland port system were underway and confirmed plans to visit the Dala and Funtua facilities to assess their operational conditions and infrastructure requirements.
Operational oversight
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hassan Bello welcomed the transfer of operational oversight to the NPA, expressing appreciation for what he described as a seamless transition.
Mr Bello referenced the gazetted Port Act, which recognises inland dry ports as official ports of origin and destination, while drawing attention to challenges confronting the facilities, particularly inadequate rail connectivity and broader logistics constraints.
Rail access is a critical component of inland dry port operations, as efficient connections to the national rail network can facilitate cargo movement between seaports and inland destinations, potentially reducing pressure on road transport and lowering logistics costs.
The meeting also established a framework for further technical consultations, infrastructure integration and physical planning to identify the requirements for improving operations at the facilities.
The discussions highlighted the need for detailed technical assessments, stakeholder coordination and physical inspections to establish infrastructure priorities and guide subsequent project development.
The planned visits to Dala and Funtua inland dry ports are expected to provide NPA with a clearer understanding of the facilities’ operational challenges and the interventions required to strengthen their roles in cargo distribution, trade facilitation and wider maritime logistics network.
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