United Capital Plc has recorded a significant increase in profitability, with profit before tax rising 66 per cent to ₦41.58 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up from ₦25.01 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
The investment banking and financial services group attributed the improvement to stronger investment income, higher fees and commissions, and increased trading revenue.
Its gross earnings rose 50 per cent year-on-year to ₦62.47 billion, reflecting improved performance across its major business operations.
Investment income was a major contributor to the growth, nearly doubling to ₦22.03 billion from ₦11.32 billion a year earlier. Fee and commission income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦20.95 billion, while net trading income rose 29 per cent to ₦12.60 billion.
The company’s profit after tax climbed 65 per cent to ₦34.83 billion, compared with ₦21.17 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Earnings per share also increased to 258 kobo from 157 kobo, indicating stronger returns for shareholders.
Despite the positive results, United Capital faced higher operating costs, with total expenses increasing to ₦23.51 billion from ₦18.40 billion in the previous year.
However, revenue growth outpaced the increase in expenses, supporting the improvement in profitability.
The group also strengthened its financial position, as shareholders’ funds rose 58 per cent to ₦237.08 billion, while total assets increased to ₦1.81 trillion as of September 2026. Cash and cash equivalents more than doubled to ₦618.08 billion, while borrowings declined to ₦320.08 billion.
United Capital’s latest performance highlights the contribution of investment-related income and diversified financial services to its earnings growth.
The company will need to sustain this momentum while managing operating costs and market risks as it approaches the final quarter of the year.
