Naira Plunges Across Forex Segments Amid Liquidity

The naira closed last week on a losing streak, plunging in all segments of the foreign exchange (forex) market. “In the local currency market, the performance of the naira was underwhelming”, said analysts at Afrinvest. At the parallel market, the base currency (Dollar) appreciated 1.8 per cent week-on-week (w/w) against the price currency (naira) to N1,150.00/$. While at the NAFEM window, the base currency (dollar) rose 0.4 per vent w/w against the naira) to N794.89/$. Meanwhile, activity level in the NAFEM window improved by 11.1 per cent w/w to $817.7 billion from $736.3 billion in the prior week. At the FMDQ Securities Exchange (SE) FX Futures Contract Market, the total value of open contracts of the Naira remained at $4.2 billion. “We do not foresee any changes given that CBN has cleared all Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) open contracts, shortly after rendering contracts for tenors between one and twelve months inactive in response to reforms in the NAFEM window. This week, we expect rates across different segments of the market to depreciate following demand-supply imbalance”, said Afrinvest. At the end of trading last week, system liquidity surged higher by 667.2 per cent to close at N527.1 billion. Nonetheless, the price of liquidity in the banking system, the OPR and OVN rates rose 2.9ppts and 2.4ppts w/w respectively to 23.8 per cent and 24.6 per cent. At the primary market segment for T-bills, the CBN offered bills worth N211.7 billion across the 91 (N9.7 billion), 182 (N1.8 billion), and 364-day (N199.9 billion) tenors. Demand was healthy across all ends of the curve as the average bid-to-cover ratio printed at 5.8x due to robust system liquidity. Stop rates across the 91-day and 182- day instrument improved, rising 100bps apiece to 7.0 per cent (91-day) and 11.0 per cent (182-day). Meanwhile, the stop rate remained unchanged at 16.8 per cent in the 364-day instrument. Meanwhile, the secondary market segment saw a bullish outing as the average yield across all tenors compressed 213 basis points (bps) w/w to 11.2 per cent. The bullish outing was driven by buy interest on the mid (182-day) and long-dated (365-day) instruments as yield saw a decline of 242bps and 221bps w/w respectively. In the coming week, we anticipate healthy liquidity conditions due to FAAC inflow and Bond coupon payment. Consequently, we expect buy sentiment to be sustained at the T-bills secondary market. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil price futures inched higher by 1.4 per cent to close at $81.75/bbl., as traders remained on the sideline ahead of next week’s Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) meeting. The anticipated meeting would focus on output cut agreements for 2024, following the recent downturn in oil price due to strong supply from non-OPEC producers. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Nigeria’s foreign reserves fell 28bps ($91.7m) w/w to $33.2bn (22/11/2023).

Nigeria’s Equity Market Gains N6bn

The local equity market, on Thursday advanced by N6 billion as gains recorded in the shares of Nigerian Breweries, C&I Leasing, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills among others lifted market activities. Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by N6 billion or 0.02 per cent to N39.059 trillion from N39.053 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by ç basis points to 71025.16 points from 71014.34 points reported the previous day. Volume of transactions increased by 186.494 million, representing 63.72 per cent as investors traded 483.847 million shares valued at N4.378 billion in 6545 deals against 297.353 million shares valued at N6.161 billion in 6172 deals. A review of investment showed that Deep Capital and NSLTech  led gainers table,gaining  10 per cent each to close at N0.44 and N0.33 per unit, C&I Leasing followed with a gain of 9.95 per cent to close at N4.53 per share, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills gained 9.85 per cent to close at N22.75 per unit while SCOA Plc added 9.82 per cent to close at N1.23 per share. On the contrary, ABC Transport recorded the highest loss in percentage terms, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N0.90 per unit, ETranzact trailed with a loss of 9.93 per cent to close at N6.80 per unit, Thomas Way fell by 8.95 per cent to close at N3.46 per share. Guinea Insurance dipped by 8.33 per cent to close at N0.22 per unit, Ellah Lakes fell by 7.89 per cent to close at N3.50 per share. Transactions in the shares of Regal insurance led market activities with 104.341 million shares valued at N36.490 million, Oando Plc followed with account of 55.280 million shares worth N676.637 million, Universal insurance traded 53.351 million shares cost N12.338 million, Japaul Gold exchanged 24.949 million shares cost N46.772 million while United Bank for Africa sold a total of 21.492 million shares cost N445.446 million.

Equity Market Sheds N21bn

Nigeria’s equity market began the week on a bearish note, shedding N21 billion following profit-taking in the shares of Dangote Sugar, GTCO Plc and other stocks. The development impacted on the market forcing the NGX All Share Index to decline by 38.49 basis points to 66876.92 points from 66915.41 points reported the previous day. Market capitalisation of listed equities also declined by 0.06 per cent to N36.742 trillion from N36.763 trillion reported the previous day. An analysis of the investment showed that Thomas Way led gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 9.92 per cent to N3.99 per share, Academy Press followed with a gain of 9.71 per cent to close at N1.92 per unit, Ikeja Hotel added 9.52 per cent to close at N3.45 per unit, Chams Plc increased by 7.38 per cent to close at N1.60 per unit, Tantalizer added 6.90 per cent to close at N0.31 per share. Volume of trades increased by 135.726 million, representing 65.92 per cent as investors traded 314.619 million shares valued at N4.388 billion in 6133 deals against 205.893 million shares costing N6.380 billion in 4986 deals. On the contrary, VFD group recorded the highest loss during the day, shedding 9.99 per cent to close at N242.40 per share, Mcnichols followed with 9.69 per cent to close at N0.56 per share, UPL dipped by 9.32 per cent to close at N2.14 per unit, Chi pls declined by 5.22 per cent to close at N1.09 per unit, Omatek down by 4.44 per cent to close at N0.43 per unit. Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa led market activities with 47.150 million shares valued at N900.695 million, AccessCorp followed with a gain of 40.348 million shares valued at N666.866 million, FCMB group traded 29.054 million shares cost N173.552 million, GTCO Plc exchanged 27.393 million shares worth N959.246 million while Transcorps sold a total of 16.435 million shares valued at N102.039 million.

Equity Market Rebounds, Gains N140bn

Nigeria’s equity market on Thursday rebounded and gained N140 billion following gains recorded by small and medium stocks in the market. Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.38 per cent to N36.526 trillion from N36.386 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 87.91 basis points to 66570.19 points from 66482.28 points traded on Wednesday. A review of the trading activities showed that Wema Bank led the gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 9.93 per cent to N4.65 per share, Thomas Way followed with a gain of 9.74 per cent to close at N2.14 per share, Regal insurance added 8.82 per cent to close at N0.37 per unit, Daar Communications and Royal Express increased by 8.70 per cent to close respectively to N0.25 per share and N0.50 Kobo per unit. On the contrary, Champion Breweries topped losers’ chart, shedding 9.87 per cent to close at N3.38 per share, Chellaram trailed with a loss of 9.84 per cent to close at N3.48 per unit, ABC Transport fell by 9.72 per cent to close at N0.65 per unit, APDC dropped by 8.57 per cent to close at N1.28 per share, MCNICHOLS dipped by 7.69 per cent to close at N0.60 per unit. Volume of trades increased by 356.485 million, representing a growth 54.22 percent as investors exchanged 1.014 billion shares valued at N4.733 billion in 6959 deals against 657.515 million shares worth N4.597 billion made in 6647 deals the previous day. Transactions in the shares of Neimeth international Pharmaceutical led market activities with 657.094 million shares valued at N985.649 million, Oando Plc followed with account of 75.146 million shares cost N771.243 million, Fidelity Bank traded 35.143 million shares cost N288.091 million, Sterling Bank exchanged 24.430 million shares worth N87.369 million while Ellah Lakes traded 19.018 million shares valued at N76.074 million.

CBN resumes OMO on system liquidity

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to suck in some liquidity from the system as it last week resumed the Open Market Operation (OMO). The immediate result was system liquidity slumping 51.8 percent week-on-week (W/w) to N33.8 billion. Analysts at Afrinvest attest that the reduction was a result of the auctions conducted by the central bank at the OMO window and Treasury Bills (T-Bills) front. “Nonetheless, OPR and Overnight (OVN) rates closed the week lower at 2.0 percent and 2.8 percent respectively from 5.8 percent and 6.8 percent”, said analysts at Afrinvest. At the bond market, the bearish sentiment in the domestic bonds market extended last week, as average yield across tenors rose 21 basis points (bps) w/w to 13.3 per cent. The most selloffs were seen on short-term bonds as the average yield increased 51bps w/w. Similarly, the average yield on the mid-and long-term bonds advanced 21bps and 13bps w/w, respectively. The domestic equities market sustained weekly gains, with the All Share Index (ASI) going up 0.2 per cent w/w to close at 65,325.37 points. Consequently, market capitalisation increased N92.7 billion to N35.6 trillion, while Year-To-Date (YTD) return grew to 27.5 per cent (previously 27.2 per cent). Activity level faltered as average volume and value traded declined by 32.4 per cent and 15.3 per cent w/w to 348.2 million units and N5.0billion respectively. Brent crude oil saw an uptick of 0.8 per cent w/w, to reach $86.88/bbl. This momentum was despite renewed economic concerns in China and a large inventory buildup in the US. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s foreign reserves plunged 0.2 per cent w/w, reaching $33.9 billion as of August 10th, 2023… On the global scene, last week was marked by the absence of substantial positive catalysts, the MSCI World Index experienced a 0.8 per cent w/w decline. In the US, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ indices fell 0.4 per cent and 2.0 per cent w/w respectively. Analysts at Afrinvest said the drop was influenced by pressure on bank shares, triggered by Moody’s decision to downgrade the credit ratings of 10 small- to mid-sized banks.

Nigeria’s equity market sheds N391bn

The nation’s equity market on Monday opened the week on a negative note, shedding N391 billion following profit taking activities recorded by small, medium and large stocks. The market capitalisation of listed equities fell by 1.10 per cent to N35.011 trillion from N35.402 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 718.87 basis points to 64337.52 points from 65056.37 points reported the previous day. An analysis of the investment showed that Betaglass Nigeria Plc, Linkage Assurance, SUNU Assurance and Mansard insurance led gainers table, appreciating by 10 per cent each to close at N38.50 per share, N0.77, N0.66 and N3.74 per share. Berger Paint followed with a gain of 9.95 per cent to close at N11.05 per unit. On the contrary, five companies declined by 10 per cent at the close of transactions on Monday. Dangote Sugar Refinery, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Ecobank Transnational Incorporate gained 10 per cent to close at N27.00, N0.63 per share, N15.30 per share respectively. Livestock and NPF MicroFinance Bank fell by 10 per cent also to close respectively to N1.89 and N1.80 per share. Volume of trades increased 213.65 million, representing 46.47 per cent as investors traded 673.42 million shares valued at N6.47 billion in 9788 deals against 459.770 million shares worth N5.345 billion exchanged hands in 8051 deals. Trading activities in shares of Abbey Building Society led activity with 112.259 million shares valued at N112.274 billion in 94 deals, Fidelity Bank followed with 58.588 million shares cost N503.707 million in 452 deals, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc traded 51.079 million shares worth N357.551 million in 30 deals, FCMB group exchanged 49.363 million shares cost N323.678 million in 294 deals while Universal insurance traded 47.506 million share cost N11.232 million.

Bears intervene as equity market dips by N430bn

Trading activities on the floor of Nigerian Exchange on Thursday returned to negative trend, declining by N430 billion. Market capitalisation of listed equities on Thursday dropped by 1.32 per cent to N32.232 trillion from N32.662 trillion reported on Wednesday. Also, the NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 789.89 basis points to 59195.21 points from 59985.10 points traded the previous day. A review of the trading for the day showed that MRS Plc, Transco Hotel and Total Plc led gainers table during the day appreciating by 10 per cent each to close at N68.75, N13.31 and N336.70 per shares respectively. Ikeja Hotel followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N3.31 per share, ETranzact added 9.92 per cent to close at N5.32 per share. On the contrary, SUNU Assurance topped losers chart in percentage terms, declining by 10 per cent to close at N0.45 per unit, Cornerstone Insurance trailed with a loss of 9.73 per cent to close at N1.02 per share, Mcnichols fell by 9.33 per cent to close at N0.68 per share, Access Corp fell by 9.24 per cent to close at N14.25 per unit, RTBriscoe fell by 8.83 per cent to close at N0.31 per unit. Investors traded 1.170 billion shares valued at N15.359 billion in 12611 deals against 1.296 billion shares worth N21.080 billion in 11947 deals. Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa led activity during the day, with 192.832 million shares valued at N2.344 billion, AccessCorp followed with account of 121.537 million shares valued at N1.962 billion, Fidelity Bank traded 102.638 million shares valued at N726.740 million, GTCO Plc exchanged 99.847 million shares worth N3.325 billion while Sterling Bank traded 79.277 million shares cost N238.314 million. Bears intervene as equity market dips by N430bn Trading activities on the floor of Nigerian Exchange on Thursday returned to negative trend, declining by N430 billion. Market capitalisation of listed equities on Thursday dropped by 1.32 per cent to N32.232 trillion from N32.662 trillion reported on Wednesday. Also, the NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 789.89 basis points to 59195.21 points from 59985.10 points traded the previous day. A review of the trading for the day showed that MRS Plc, Transco Hotel and Total Plc led gainers table during the day appreciating by 10 per cent each to close at N68.75, N13.31 and N336.70 per shares respectively. Ikeja Hotel followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N3.31 per share, ETranzact added 9.92 per cent to close at N5.32 per share. On the contrary, SUNU Assurance topped losers chart in percentage terms, declining by 10 per cent to close at N0.45 per unit, Cornerstone Insurance trailed with a loss of 9.73 per cent to close at N1.02 per share, Mcnichols fell by 9.33 per cent to close at N0.68 per share, Access Corp fell by 9.24 per cent to close at N14.25 per unit, RTBriscoe fell by 8.83 per cent to close at N0.31 per unit. Investors traded 1.170 billion shares valued at N15.359 billion in 12611 deals against 1.296 billion shares worth N21.080 billion in 11947 deals. Transactions in the shares of United Bank for Africa led activity during the day, with 192.832 million shares valued at N2.344 billion, AccessCorp followed with account of 121.537 million shares valued at N1.962 billion, Fidelity Bank traded 102.638 million shares valued at N726.740 million, GTCO Plc exchanged 99.847 million shares worth N3.325 billion while Sterling Bank traded 79.277 million shares cost N238.314 million.