CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee Meeting And The Frenzy

The atmosphere in Nigeria’s financial sector is in a state of frenzy. Stakeholders are befuddled on why the apex bank’s monetary policy committee has not met. This is because the CBN had twice postponed the meeting under the leadership of its new Governor. The first postponement scheduled to hold shortly after the appointment of Mr. Cardoso and his four deputy governors, was obviously put on hold to enable them settle down. The reason could also be that the new management team needs time to study and digest President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda and current trends in the financial system to align them with his vision. Mr. Cardoso at the NASS screening had promised to ensure the independence of CBN. He also pledged to ensure that the CBN under his watch will play its role as a catalyst for growth, and adviser to the government. He said “his-CBN” will shy away from interloping responsibilities. It is also a common knowledge that President Tinubu had ordered a clean house of the Bank believed to have veered of its mandate under the immediate past governor. It is also a public knowledge and concern that the Naira has been under attack by speculators and rent seekers, a chronic headache for the Bank’s new helmsmen. Forex illiquidity has also become malignant. Thus, convening the MPC meetings amidst these challenges may not be an immediate priority rather they have been unobtrusively addressing and stabilizing the financial sector. The gains of these efforts are visible, though the parallel market is still chaotic. The postponement of what was supposed to be its last meeting for the year further heightens the palpable fear and uncertainties of the consequences of the MPC not meeting. Stakeholders’ fear cannot be dismissed as Nigerians battle economic hardship, rising food inflation and unbridled Naira depreciation. However, the CBN Act 2007 section 12 saddles the Committee to ensure price stability and support economic policy of the federal government. The Committee consists of the Governor as the chairman, the four deputy governors, two members of Board of Directors, two members appointed by the Governor, and two members appointed by the President to formulate monetary and credit policy. It is the highest policy making organ of the Bank responsible for reviewing economic and financial conditions in the economy. It also determines the appropriateness of policy applications in short to medium term, and regularly reviews Bank’s monetary policy framework, and adopt changes when necessary. The Act mandates the Committee to communicate monetary and financial policy decisions effectively to the public and must ensure the credibility of the model of transmission mechanism of monetary policy. It is to meet bi-monthly, except otherwise (as it is the case presently) or on emergency. Until the appointment of the present CBN Governor, the Committee had met four times under the last dispensation. It is also a public knowledge that boards of federal parastatals and agencies were dissolved by the President with many yet to be reconstituted. The CBN board is one of those dissolved and yet to be reconstituted, neither is it a public knowledge that the President has nominated his two candidates. Hence, the Bank presently does not have the required number to form a quorum, nor the Governor and his deputies have the constitutional mandate to overtly make certain monetary policy decisions without the approval of the Board. The concern by the public is normal particularly the way economic saboteurs have been attacking the Naira and manipulating the parallel forex exchange market. The concern is also noted considering the latest inflationary figure, 27.33%, released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). But to allay the fears of the public, the Bank’s spokesman, Dr. Isa Abdulmumin had on the eve of the scheduled September MPC meeting issued a press statement to announce its postponement. He regretted any inconvenience the change in date may have caused the Bank’s publics. The hullabaloo over non-holding of the meetings may have been misplaced but expected. And with Nigeria’s current economic reality, it behooves the economic managers to be strategic in meeting economic saboteurs at their wits ends. Notable economists and financial technocrats have entertained worries over continuous postponement of the organ’s meeting. They believed it may further heighten economic uncertainties. Mr. Boluwafemi Agboladun, a chartered accountant, expressed fears that the silence from the Bank amidst economic turbulence is unsettling as no concrete reason was given for not holding the meetings. He was however quick to add that the strategy adopted so far by the new management of the Bank is yielding positive dividend. There is stability in the forex market, and Naira exchange rate is no longer volatile. The strategic management adopted by the CBN so far, he noted, is commendable, making currency peddler unsure of what next is coming out from the Bank. Agboladun also felt that the new CBN Governor may have decided to start the new year with his own monetary policy calendar after he would have gotten a clear heads-on of the fiscal direction to align it with his monetary policy philosophy. He stressed that, it is better for the CBN and the government to have a clear distinction in roles, unlike the muddled and overlapped responsibilities witnessed in the last administration. Feranmi Deepak, a public commentator, was not surprised that the meeting, though statutory, has suffered two postponements. He was only worried that the outcome of the meetings would have avail the public of the monetary policy direction of Mr. Cardoso, as it would have road mapped investment decisions by local and foreign investors. The CBN, he observed, may also be taking its time coming out with its agenda. This, he noted, may be due to the ongoing economic diplomacy drive of the President who has been unrelenting in his travels, marketing Nigeria. Therefore, the CBN, he said, “may be collating all he has been saying to the investing community to develop its monetary policy roadmap as government banker and advisor”. He was optimistic that the MPC meeting would assume

Equity Market Resumes Week Negatively, Sheds N57bn

The domestic equity market on Monday opened the week bearish, declining by N57 billion as the fall in the shares price of RTBriscoe, Nigeria Breweries, Stanbic IBTC, Transacorp and others impacted negatively on the market. The market capitalisation of listed equities which went down by 0.15 per cent to N39.050 trillion from N39.107 trillion it closed last week Friday. The NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 104.29  basis points to 71008.70 points from 71112.99 points traded on Friday. An analysis of the investment showed that Mecure led gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 9.95 per cent to close at N6.30 per share, Multiverse followed with a gain of 9.92 per cent to close at N3.99 per unit, ABC Transport added 9.88 per cent to close at N0.89 per unit, C& I Leasing gained 9.84 per cent to close at N5.47 per unit. Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Nigeria Plc increased by 9.83 per cent to close at N26.25 per unit. On the contrary, RTBriscoe recorded the highest loss during the day, dropping by 9.84 per cent to close at N0.55 per share, Prestige insurance trailed with a loss of 9.09 per cent to close at N0.50 per unit, Stanbic IBTC down by 7.08 per cent to close at N65.00, CWG fell by 3.04 percent to N7.70 per share, Caverton Business Solutions declined by 2.78 per cent to close at N1.40 per unit. Volume of trades also dropped by  83.134 million, representing 18.82 percent as investors traded 358.445 million shares valued at N4.357 billion in 6551 deals against 441.579 million shares worth N6.032 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 5883 deals. The result further showed that transactions in the shares of AccessCorp led market activities during with 27.583 million shares valued at N474.629 million, AIICO Insurance followed with 21.931 million shares cost N16.649 million, Japaul Gold traded 21.240 million shares cost N37.212 million, Veritas Kapital exchanged 18.995 million shares valued at N5.881 million while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria exchanged 17.073 million shares valued at N104.631 million.

Equity Market Gains N156bn On First Trading Day

Domestic equity market opened transactions on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on a positive note, gaining N156 billion. The NGX trading result showed that gain recorded in the shares of BuaCement, Oando, Seplat, Glaxosmith, Fidelity Bank and others boasted activities in the market. Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.40 per cent to N38.712 trillion from N38.556 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 282.85 basis points to 70479.62 points from 70196.77 points it closed on Friday. A review of the investment showed that Thomas Way led gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at N4.07 per share, Chams Plc followed with a gain of 9.90 per cent to close at N2.22 per unit, Gloxasmith gained 9.68 per cent to close at N13.60 per share, Oando Plc up by 9.66 per cent to close at N9.65 per share, Japaul Gold gained 9.45 per cent to close at N1.39 per unit. On the contrary, ABC Transport recorded the highest loss during the day, dropping by 9.30 per cent to close at N0.78 per unit, Cornerstone Insurance trailed with a drop of 9.27 per cent to N1.37 per share. Champion Breweries gained 9.19 per cent to N3.36 per share, International Breweries down by 8.79 per cent to close at N0.21 per unit. Volume of trades declined by 19.348 million, representing 4.72 per cent as investors traded 391.013 million shares valued at N7.705 billion in 6837 deals against 410.361 million shares cost N9.163 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 6436 deals. Trading  in the shares of United Bank for Africa led market activities with 105.627 million shares valued at N2.137 billion, FBNHoldings followed with account of 33.267 million shares cost N602.498 million, Japaul Gold traded 21.348 million shares valued at N29.607 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 20.438 million shares worth N175.964 million, AccessCorp exchanged 19.502 million shares valued at N33.657 million.

Nigeria’s Equity Market Continues Upward Streak, Gains N739bn

Trading activities on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) started the month November on a bullish note, appreciating by N739 billion. The increase in the shares price of Airtel Africa, FBNHoldings, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Presco, AccessCorp, GTCO Plc, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc and other 28 company lifted market activities pushing NSE index  to cross 70 million mark. Specifically, market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 1.94 per cent to N38.777 trillion from N38.038 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also increased by 1345.57 basis points to 70581.76 points from 69236.16 points traded the previous day. An analysis of the investment showed that Airtel Africa led gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at N2694.10 per share, Chams Plc and UPL followed with a gain of 9.91 per cent each to close at N2.44 per share and N2.33 per share respectively. NEM Insurance gained 9.90 per cent to close at N5.55 per unit, FBNHoldings added 9.78 per cent to close at N19.65 per share. On the contrary, Caverton Business Solutions recorded the highest loss during the day, declining 7.74 per cent to close at N1.43 per share, Champion Breweries trialed with a loss of 6.85 per cent to close at N3.40 per share, C &I Leasing down by 6.41 per cent to N3.36 per unit. UPDC REIT fell by 2.70 per cent to close at 3.60 per share. Unilever Nigeria Plc declined by 2.44 per cent to close at N14.00. Volume of trades increased by 118.463 million, representing 24.51 per cent growth as investors traded 601.732 million shares valued at N11.016 billion in 7444 deals against 483.269 million shares worth N6.044 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 8027 deals. Transactions in the shares of  United Bank for Africa led market activities with 163.561 million shares valued at N3.472 billion, FBNHoldings followed with 94.654 million shares valued at N1.841 billion, AccessCorp traded 36.693 million shares worth N641.992 million, Universal insurance exchanged 34.716 million shares cost N8.938 million while Japaul Gold exchanged 25.717 million shares valued at N33.114 million.

Equity Market Sustains Growth, Gains N618bn

The local equity market Tuesday crossed the N38 trillion mark, sustaining a bullish run to gain N618 billion. The trading result showed that gains recorded in the shares of Airtel Africa, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, UBA, FBNHoldings, FTNCocoa and others impacted positively on the market activities. Market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 1.65 per cent to N38.038 trillion from N37.420 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 1124.48 basis points to 69236.19 points from 68111.71 traded yesterday. An analysis of the investment showed that Airtel Africa led gainers table in percentage terms, increasing by 10 per cent to close at N1540.10 per unit, Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of 9.92 per cent to close at N13.85 per share. Northern Nigeria Flour Mills also appreciated by 9.92 per cent to close at N19.95 per share, Chams Plc added 9.90 per cent to close at N2.22 per unit, ABC Transport added 9.92 per cent to close at N0.79 per share. On the contrary, Betaglass topped losers chart dropping by 9.93 per cent to close at N60.30 per share, UPL followed with a drop of 9.74 per cent to close at N2.12 per unit, EllahLakes fell by 5.56 per cent to close at N3.50 per share, Sovereign Insurance declined by 8.82 per cent to close at N0.31 per unit, Learn Africa down by 8.79 per cent to close at N3.01 per share. Volume of trades increased by 52.876 million, representing 12.29 per cent as investors traded traded 483.269 million shares valued at N6.044 billion in 8027 deals against 430.393 million shares valued at N8.257 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 7656 deals. Transactions in the shares of Japaul Gold led market activities with 155.594 million shares valued at N181.858 million, United Bank for Africa followed with account of 33.932 million shares worth N688.200 million, Zenith Bank traded 29.899 million shares cost N996.447 million, AccessCorp traded 27.435 million shares valued at N468.662 million while Chams Plc exchanged 22.516 million shares cost N4.806 million.

Bears Trend As Equity Market Sheds N242bn

The domestic equity market on Monday opened the week bearish, shedding N242 billion as profit taking activities persisted during the day. Market capitalisation of listed equities declined by 0.66 per cent to N36.605 trillion from N36.847 trillion reported on Friday. The NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 441.95 basis points to 66882.64 points from 67324.59 points recorded the previous day. A review of the transactions during the day showed that Ikeja Hotel led the gainers table in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at N2.75 per share. JohnHolt followed with a gain of 9.70 per cent to close at N1.81 per unit. Cornerstones Insurance increased by 9.49 per cent to close at N1.50 per share, Regal insurance gained 8.57 per cent to close at N0.38 per unit, Tantalizer up by 6.67 per cent to close at N0.32 per unit. On the contrary, Caverton Business Solutions topped losers chart, dropping by 9.87 per cent to close at N1.37 per share, AccessCorp trailed with 9.86 per cent to close at N15.55 per share, Oando Plc dipped by 9.70 per cent to close at N10.70 per unit, TIP fell by 9.65 per cent to close at N1.03 per unit, RTBriscoe dropped by N0.38 per unit. Volume of trades declined as investors traded 408.194 million shares valued at N5.442 billion in 7707 deals against 1.028 billion shares worth N4.354 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 6370 deals. Transactions in the shares of AccessCorp led market activities with 113.391 million shares valued at N1.781 billion, United Bank for Africa followed with account of 59.615 million shares worth N1.049 billion, Unity Bank traded 27.790 million shares valued at N28.426 million, Universal Insurance exchanged 17.572 million shares cost N3.901 million, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria exchanged 16.789 million shares cost N103.697 million.

As profit taking persists, Nigeria’s equity market sheds N112bn

Trading activities on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Thursday continued on a negative note, shedding N112 billion as profit taking by investors persisted in the market. Profit taking in the shares of Dangote Sugar, Dangote Cement, Nascon impacted on the market at the end of the trading session. Specifically, market capitalisation of listed equities declined by 0.30 per cent to N37.261 trillion from N37.373 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also depreciated by 204.17 basis points to 68082.11 points from 68286.28 points reported on Wednesday. Betaglass led gainers table, gaining 9.97 per cent to close at N51.85 per unit, Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of 9.86 per cent to close at N15.60 per share, CWG gained 9.81 per cent to N5.26 per unit, Tantalizer gained 9.52 per cent to close at N0.46 per share, Guinea Insurance added 9.09 per cent to close at N0.36 per share. On the contrary, Morison Industry recorded the highest loss with 9.89 per cent to close at N2.55 per unit, Courtvellle Business Solutions trailed with a loss of 7.69 per cent to close at N0.60 per unit, Nascon dipped by 6.83 per cent to close at N56.60 per unit, RTBriscoe went down by 6.82 per cent to close at N0.41 per share while Wema Bank dipped by 6.42 per cent to close at N5.10 per share. Investors traded 378.089 million shares valued at N8.376 billion in 8106 deals against 378.654 million shares valued at N5.482 billion in 7671 deals. Transactions in the shares of Oando led market activities with 91.635 million shares valued at N678.965 million, Omatek trailed with account of 29.972 million shares valued at N19.207 million, Dangote Sugar Refinery traded 23.393 million shares valued at N1.483 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 22.165 million shares cost N193.576 million, AccessCorp exchanged 20.803 million shares cost N361.865 million.

Despite NLC strike, equity market gains N31bn

Transactions on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday sustained an upward trend appreciating by N31 billion as gain recorded in the shares of BUAfoods, Dangote Sugar, Oando and other boosted market activities. Market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 0.08 per cent to N37.400 trillion from N37.369 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 55.54 basis points to 68334.68 points from 68279.14 points traded on Monday. The NGX trading for the day showed that four companies recorded 10 per cent gain at the close of trading for the day Multiverse, Omatek, Betaglass Sunu Assurance led gainers table in percentage terms, increasing by 10 per cent each to close at N2.97 per share N0.55, N42.90 and N0.88 per unit respectively, Oando Plc followed with a gain 9.84 per cent to close at N6.70 per unit. On the contrary, NSLTech topped losers’ chart, dropping by 10 per cent to close at N0.27 per share, Chellaram Plc trailed with a loss of 9.80 per cent to close at N3.22 per share, Ikaje Hotel fell by 9.68 per cent to N2.80 per unit, JohnHolt fell by 9.03 per cent to close at N1.31 per shares Neimeth international Pharmaceutical down by 8.93 per cent to close at N1.53 per share. The volume of transaction declined by 287.828 million, representing 34.04 per cent as investors traded 557.852 million shares valued at N10.210 billion in 9818 deals against 845.680 million shares worth N13.037 billion in 11934 deals. Trading activities in the shares of United Bank for Africa led market activities with 63.322 million shares valued at N951.178 million, Oando Plc followed with account of 61.258 million shares cost N409.752 million, Fidelity Bank traded 58.141 million shares cost N486.483 million, AccessCorp traded 42.110 million shares worth N728.417 million while Transcorps exchanged 40.499 million shares valued at N272.158 million.

Equity market sustains bullish run, gains N158bn

Trading activities on the floor of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Tuesday sustained an upward trajectory as the market appreciated by N158 billion. The market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.44 per cent to N35.842 trillion from N35.684 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index also appreciated 286.26 basis points to 65488.67 points from 65202.41 points traded on Monday. Investors’ attention during the day were directed towards shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), AccessCorp, and Fidelity Bank, ETI and others. An analysis of the investment showed that Cornerstones Insurance led gainers table with 9.84 per cent to N1.34 per unit, CWG followed with a gain of 9.74 per cent to close at N4.28 per unit, SCOA added 9.38 per cent to close at N1.40 per unit, ABC Transport increased by 8.33 per cent to close at N0.52 per unit. BUAFoods added 7.91 per cent to close at N165 per share. On the contrary, Nigerian Breweries, SUNU Assurance and Chellaram Plc recorded the highest loss during the day in percentage terms, declining by 10 per cent to close at N38.25, N0.72 and N3.96 per share respectively. John Holt trailed with a drop of 8.81 per cent to close at N1.45 per unit while Mutual Benefits dipped 6.82 per cent to close at N0.41 per share. The volume of trades increased by 61.864 million representing  26.71 per cent as investors traded 293.463 million shares valued at N4.122 billion in 5895 deals against 231.599 million shares worth N3.992 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 5494 deals. Transactions on the shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) led market activities during the day with 41.441 million shares valued at N185.042 million, AccessCorp followed with account of 36.158 million shares worth N616.420 million, Fidelity Bank traded 32.105 million shares valued at N229.733 million, Omatek exchanged 15.006 million shares cost N4.293 million while Ecobank Transnational Corporate sold a total of 13.200 million shares valued at N208.479 million.

Chinese Yuan strengthens to 7.2006 against dollar

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan, strengthened 70 pips to 7.2006 against the U.S dollar Friday. This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 per cent from the central parity rate each trading day. The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.