Market Watch: Diamond Bank, Unilever declare 2013 results

Diamond Bank said on Friday its 2013 pretax profit rose to N32.1 billion ($194.5 million), lower than its guidance, but up 17 percent from N27.5 billion  a year ago.

The mid-tier bank last April forecast 2013 pretax profit to hit N35 billion.

Gross earnings at the bank rose to N143.12 billion during the twelve months to December 2013 versus N112.35 billion the previous year, it said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Unilever sees fall in profit

Unilever said on Friday its 2013 pretax profit fell to N6.9 billion ($41.9 million), down 15.5 percent from N8.2 billion a year ago.

The household product maker said turnover increased to N60 billion during the twelve months to December 2013, from 55.54 billion naira the previous year, it said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Unilever said it will pay a dividend of N1.40 per share on May 17.