NGX extends Access Holdings’ H1 audited results deadline to September 30 2026

Access Holdings Plc has secured approval from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to extend the deadline for publishing its interim audited financial statements for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, to September 30.

The extension, disclosed in a corporate filing, follows delays in completing the audit process and obtaining the required approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The company said the extension is subject to receipt of the requisite regulatory approval, while its closed period remains in force. This means insiders are restricted from trading in the company’s securities until 24 hours after the publication of the audited first half of the year results.

The delay comes after a strong first-quarter performance by the financial services group. Access Holdings reported a 22.19 per cent year-on-year increase in pre-tax profit to N272.21 billion in the first quarter of 2026, from N222.78 billion in the same period of 2025. Profit after tax also rose 18.49 per cent to N216.54 billion.

Non-interest income increased 19.03 per cent to N444.68 billion, helping offset a 26.68 per cent decline in net interest income to N383.71 billion.

However, impairment charges rose sharply by 239.04 per cent to N73.81 billion, while operating expenses increased 26.16 per cent to N411.27 billion.

Analysts said the extension should not automatically be interpreted as a negative development, particularly because the company has clearly attributed the delay to the completion of its audit and regulatory approval.

They, however, noted that investors would scrutinise the eventual results more closely because of the group’s size, recent expansion and elevated impairment charges.

According to market analysts, the key issues will include asset quality, capital adequacy, impairment trends, net interest margins and whether non-interest income can continue to compensate for pressure on interest earnings.

They also expect investors to assess whether Access Holdings’ strategy of shifting from aggressive expansion towards stronger earnings quality and sustainable returns is translating into improved shareholder value.

Analysts said the H1 figures would therefore provide a clearer picture of whether the momentum has been sustained amid changing interest-rate conditions and rising credit risks.

Access Holdings’ shares closed at N26.80 on August 17, down 0.9 per cent from N27.05. Despite the recent decline, the stock has gained about 27.6 per cent year-to-date.

The company has also remained among the most actively traded stocks on the NGX, with about 4.68 billion shares traded in 153,801 deals between May 18 and August 17, worth approximately N117 billion.

With 54.4 billion shares outstanding, the company’s market capitalisation stood at about N1.46 trillion as of August 17.

Analysts said the figures could be particularly important in determining whether Access Holdings can sustain its earnings growth while containing rising impairment costs and improving the quality and efficiency of its returns.