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Under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ashade, United Capital Plc delivered one of its most compelling annual performances on record in 2025, growing revenue 35% year-on-year to $43.1 million (N58.55 billion) and signaling that investor confidence in the firm's trajectory is anything but softening.
The group's audited financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, filed Monday with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, showed net trading income nearly tripling, surging 176% year-on-year. Fee and commission income rose 59%. Both figures point to a business that is not just growing but accelerating across its core lines.
Profit before tax climbed 37% to $30.3 million (N41.18 billion). Profit after tax reached $20.7 million (N28.15 billion), a 17% increase, while total comprehensive income for the year stood at $22.8 million (N30.97 billion).
The gains were not left on paper. The board approved a final cash dividend of 70 kobo per ordinary share, lifting the total payout for the 2025 financial year to N1.00 per share. The aggregate distribution came to $13.2 million (N18 billion), up 25% from the $10.6 million (N14.4 billion) paid out in 2024. It is the kind of number that keeps long-term investors in the room.
Ashade, who has built United Capital into one of Nigeria's most closely watched investment banking groups, said the results were a direct product of strategy, not circumstance.
"I am delighted to inform all our stakeholders that United Capital Group ended the year on an impressive note as profit before tax rose 37% year-on-year despite the challenging operating environment," he said. "This remarkable business performance was driven by growth in core business operations, a resilient business model and strong execution of our strategic initiatives."
He said the group's risk management framework, technical expertise and operational scale position it to pursue the opportunities ahead with clarity. That forward confidence is notable given how much of 2025 tested Nigerian businesses, with inflation, currency pressures and shifting monetary policy creating headwinds across the financial services sector.
Board Chairman Uche Ike described the performance as a reflection of organizational culture as much as market conditions.
"I am immensely proud of the leadership and the entire United Capital team for the stellar performance delivered in the 2025 financial year," Ike said. "This level of excellence continues to set United Capital apart as a leader in the investment banking and financial services industry."
United Capital said the results affirm its ability to sustain its historic growth trajectory while enhancing shareholder wealth, a message that, given the numbers behind it, is difficult to argue with.
