Guinness Nigeria Plc has reported a profit after tax of N10.39 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
This represents an increase from N7.03 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The company disclosed this in a corporate disclosure through the Nigerian Exchange Ltd., on Tuesday as its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
The report showed that revenue rose to N122.77 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up from N118.34 billion in the same period of 2025, indicating a growth of about four per cent year-on-year.
Gross profit, however, declined to N43.48 billion from N44.52 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
This translated to a gross margin of 35.4 per cent, compared to 37.6 per cent in 2025, reflecting sustained cost pressures within the operating environment.
Further analysis revealed that profit from operating activities stood at N17.18 billion, slightly lower than the N17.99 billion posted in the first quarter of 2025.
The company’s profit before tax rose significantly to N15.75 billion, compared to N10.28 billion in the same period of the previous year, while earnings per share increased to N4.74 from N3.21.
“Net finance costs reduced to N1.43 billion in the first quarter compared to N7.72 billion in the same period of 2025, reflecting improved balance sheet efficiency and reduced financing costs.
Following its strong financial performance in the first quarter of the 2026 financial year and sustained profitability in 2025, the company’s Board of Directors has approved an interim dividend of N2.00 per ordinary share.
The qualification date for the dividend is set for April 20, 2026, with a total payout estimated at ₦4.38 billion, based on 2,190,382,819 ordinary shares in issue.
The company stated that the dividend would be paid out of distributable profits, in line with Sections 426 to 428 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
