Guinness Nigeria Plc closed higher on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Thursday after investors reacted positively to the brewer’s strong financial performance for the year ended June 30, 2026.
The company’s share price rose 10.00 percent to close at N365.20, making it one of the day’s best-performing stocks as investors positioned for improved earnings prospects.
The rally followed the release of Guinness Nigeria’s audited financial statements, which showed that profit after tax increased by 53.3 percent to N25.30 billion, up from N16.51 billion recorded in the previous financial year.
Revenue also expanded by 11.8 percent to N265.04 billion, supported by sustained demand for the company’s products despite persistent inflationary pressures and weaker consumer spending.
While cost of sales grew faster than revenue, resulting in a slight contraction in gross profit margin, improved cost management helped support stronger operating performance.
Administrative and marketing expenses increased at a slower pace than revenue, allowing operating profit to rise 14.8 percent to N41.52 billion.
The biggest driver of the earnings improvement was a sharp decline in finance costs.
Finance expenses fell by approximately 64.9 percent to N4.36 billion, significantly reducing the company’s financing burden and helping profit before tax increase 60.9 percent to N38.34 billion.
Although income tax rose sharply during the year, Guinness Nigeria still delivered robust earnings growth, with earnings per share improving to N11.55 from N7.54 a year earlier.
Second-quarter performance also remained strong, with revenue increasing 19.9 percent, while quarterly profit after tax advanced 57.3 percent, reinforcing confidence in the company’s operational momentum.
The strong financial results prompted renewed buying interest in the stock, making Guinness Nigeria one of the key contributors to Thursday’s market rebound.
The positive reaction suggests investors welcomed the brewer’s improved profitability, particularly the significant reduction in finance costs and continued revenue expansion.
Going forward, investors are expected to monitor whether Guinness Nigeria can sustain earnings growth through stronger sales volumes and improved production margins as the benefit from lower finance costs gradually normalises.