Stocks investors should keep an eye on this week

The NSE last week closed on a bearish note with the All Share Index down 0.12% month to date. Here is a rundown of stocks we will be keeping tabs on this week.

C and I Leasing Plc

C and I Leasing was incorporated on December 28, 1990 and commenced business in June 1991. The company was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in December 1997. Its principal activities are equipment leasing and logistic solutions through car and marine vessel rentals.

The company had recently announced its intention to raise a N7 billion bond. Proceeds will be used to pay down existing debt and acquire more vessels.

The stock closed at N1.80 On Friday’s trading session and is trading at 2.36 times earnings. 

C and I Leasing made our watchlist by virtue of being last week’s top gainer with a 29% price appreciation. Investors could decide to sell down in the event of no further news surrounding the company.

Dangote Flour Mills

Dangote Flour Mills is into the milling of wheat and production of wheat based products. The company was incorporated on January 1, 2006.

For the 3 months ended March 2018, revenue fell from N29 billion in 2017 to N26.2 billion in 2018. Profit before tax also fell from N3.9 billion in 2017 to N2.2 billion in 2018.

Dangote Flour Mills closed Friday’s trading session at N11.40 and is currently trading at a PE ratio of 3.69 times earnings.

Dangote Flour Mills was the biggest loser last week, hence marking a spot on our watch list. The stock shed 18.57%.

Year to date, the stock is down 6.17%, underperforming the All Share Index. This could be the end of a sell-off for the stock.  

Nestle Nigeria Plc

Nestle is into the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of food products, as well as purified water.

Nestle last week released its results for the first quarter ended March 2018. While revenue increased slightly from N61.1 billion in 2017 to N67.4 billion in 2018, profit before tax dropped slightly from N14.2 billion in 2017 to N13.6 billion in 2018.

Nestle closed Friday’s trading session at N1595 and is trading at 37.22 times its current earnings.

Nestle will be closing its shareholders register this week between 7 – 11, May, hence its spot on our watch list.  Investors may decide to buy the stock before this period in a bid to qualify for dividends.

AXA Mansard

AXA Mansard provides life and non-life insurance contracts. Through its subsidiaries, it also provides asset management and pension administration services.

Mansard closed Friday’s session at N2.35 and is trading at 12.27 times earnings.

AXA  Mansard will be holding its Annual General Meeting this week on May 10. Payment of a  final dividend of N0.06 for the 2017 financial year, if approved, will also take place that day.

Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc

Caverton Offshore Support Group was incorporated in Nigeria on June 2, 2008, as a private limited liability company. The Group operates in the marine and aviation logistics sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. It was listed on the NSE in 2014.

Caverton closed Friday’s session at N2.40 and is currently trading at 2.87 times earnings.

Caverton will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 8, 2018. Payment of a N0.15 dividend for the 2017 financial year will also take place same day if approved, hence its having its spot on our stocks to watch this week. 

NASCON Allied Industries Plc

NASCON is into the refining and sales of salt, as well as vegetable oil.

For its first quarter ended March 2018, revenue increased from N6.4 billion in 2017 to N6.7 billion in 2018. Profit before tax also rose from N1.1 billion in 2017 to N1.5 billion in 2018.

NASCON ended last week’s trading session at N21.40 and is trading at 10.11 times earnings.

The company will be paying a dividend of N1.50 this week on May 8, hence its spot on our watch list 

Diamond Bank Plc

Diamond Bank was incorporated on December 20, 1990 but began operations on March 21, 1999. Ten years later, in February 2001, it became a universal bank. In January 2005, following a private placement, it  became a public limited company.

Diamond bank ended last week’s trading session at N2.11 and is trading at 8.5 times earnings.

Diamond bank is on our watch list this week by virtue of  the impending release of its FY 2017 and Q1 2018 results.

Last week, the bank sent a notice to the NSE intimating it of a further delay in the release of its FY 2017 financial statements. The bank was however optimistic that the review would be concluded in May and the results subsequently released.

Q1 2018 results would follow suit.

Unilever Nigeria Plc

Unilever Nigeria is a member of the Unilever group. Unilever Nigeria Plc, the company, is into the manufacturing and marketing of foods and personal care products. The Company was quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1973.

Unilever closed Friday’s trading session at N52.50 and is trading at 28 times earnings.

Unilever will be holding its Annual General Meeting on May 10, 2018. Payment of the proposed dividend of N0.50 per share, if approved, will take place on May 11, 2018.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (formerly Consolidated Risk Insurers Plc) was incorporated on August 2, 1991. The Company changed its name from Consolidated Risk Insurers Plc to Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc following its merger with Hallmark Assurance Plc and The Nigerian General Insurance Company Limited.  Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc came into effect from March 1, 2007.

Consolidated Hallmark closed Friday’s session at N0.32, and is trading at 9.8 times earnings.

The company will be closing its shareholders register from May 7 – 11, 2018, hence its taking a spot on our stocks to watch this week. 

FBN Holdings Plc

FBN Holdings is the holding company for tier one lender, First Bank and its subsidiaries.

FBN closed at N12.55 on Friday and is trading at 9 times earnings.

FBN Holdings (First bank) will be closing its register from May 7- 11, 2018. Investors may decide to key into the stock in a bid to qualify for dividend and then sell after. 

Berger Paints Nigeria Plc

Berger paints commenced operations in Nigeria on January 9, 1959.

The company is into the manufacture and sales of paints and coatings under 5 distinct segments: Decorative/Architectural finishes, Industrial Coatings, Marine & Protection coatings, Automotive/Vehicle refinishes, Wood Finishing and Preservers.

Berger ended last week’s trading session at N9.50 and is trading at 12.3 times earnings.

The company will close its shareholders register from May 7- 11, 2018. The stock could rally a bit as investors tend to buy into a stock before its closure date, to qualify for dividends. Hence earning a spot on our watch list.