Crude Export Earnings Hit N5.6trn In Q2 Amid Naira Float

There was a major improvement in export earnings in the second quarter of 2023, as a result of the floating of the naira which ensured earnings from crude oil exports swells. Crude oil receipts rose 8.5 per cent to N5.6 trillion. This represents 79.6 per cent of total exports. “The improvement in export earnings was mainly spurred by crude oil receipts which rose 8.5 per cent quarter-on-quarter (q/q) to N5.6 trillion (about 79.6 per cent of total exports) though production level was unimpressive as per national Bureau for Statistics (NBS) data (down 19.2 per cent q/q to 1.22mbpd). “Noteworthy, we suspect that the improvement in oil receipt was also impacted by exchange rate revaluation gain given that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) switched from a hard-pegged exchange rate regime to a managed float in June 2023, causing the official conversion rate of oil proceeds to rise from N461/$ to over N650/$. Hence, nullifying the effect of lower crude oil price in the second quarter ($78.13/bbl.) relative to the first quarter ($81.11/bbl.).”, said analysts at Afrinvest. Data from NBS showed that the value of Nigeria’s total trade (imports and exports combined) improved over the preceding quarter (up 5.8 per cent) but trailed the level attained in the corresponding period of 2022 by 7.6% to settle at N12.7 trillion. For the third consecutive quarter, Nigeria recorded a positive trade balance amounting to N1.3 trillion in the second quarter, aided by the faster growth in export earnings (up 8.1 per cent q/q to N7.0 trillion) as against import expenses (up 3.0 per cent q/q to N5.7 trillion). Similarly, non-crude oil and non-oil exports also grew 6.8 per cent and 5.6 per cent q/q to N1.4 trillion and N688.7 billion respectively. “We attribute these gains to the recovery in the broader economy from the negative knock-on effect of pre-election jitters and poor implementation of the naira redesign policy in the first quarter (GDP expanded 2.5 per cent vs. 2.3 per cent in the first quarter)”, said Afrinvest. It is important to highlight that Agricultural goods remain Nigeria’s largest source of non-oil export earnings (4.0 per cent of export share), while Manufacturing, Raw material goods, and Solid mineral goods trailed with 3.0 per cent, 2.1 per cent, and 0.5 per cent, respectively. Cashew nuts (shelled and unshelled), sesame seeds, and cocoa beans combined accounted for 65.7 per cent of the total N278.4 billion Agric exports in the period – an indication that cash crop exports could be a major source of non-oil foreign exchange (forex) earnings for Nigeria if adequate investment is made on procuring modern farming equipment and insecurity is wholistically checked. In terms of trade performance with other regions, the previous quarter’s trend was sustained as Nigeria booked a surplus with three of its five trading regions – America (N178.5 billion), Europe (N1.2 trillion), and Africa (N510.5 billion) – while a deficit was recorded in trade with Asia (N584.5 billion) and Oceania (N98 billion). In terms of destination, the Netherlands (11.2 per cent), the US (10.2 per cent), and Indonesia (7.8 per cent) were the top export hubs by share while China (22.2 per cent), the US (16.1 per cent) and Belgium (8.0 per cent) topped imports origin.

Nigeria’s local equities gain N262bn 

The local equity market on Monday opened the week on a positive note, gaining N262 billion following profits recorded by BUAFoods, Dangote Sugar, Livestock Feeds, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria among others. The market capitalisation of listed equities appreciated by 0.74 per cent to N35.684 trillion from N35.422 trillion reported the previous day. The NGX All Share Index (ASI) also appreciated by 481.32 basis points to 65202.41 points from 64721.09 points traded on Friday. An analysis of the investment showed that JohnHolt led gainers table with 9.66 per cent to close at N1.59 per unit, SCOA Plc followed with a gain of 9.40 per cent to close at N1.28 per unit BUAFoods added 9.29 per cent to close at N152.90 per share, Mansard added 6.85 per cent to close at N3.90 per unit, Livestock gained 6.82 per cent to close at N1.88 per share. On the contrary, Tantalizer recorded the highest loss in per cent age terms, shedding 10 per cent to close at N0.36 per share, Omatek trailed with a loss of 9.09 per cent to close at N0.30 per unit, Jaiz Bank fell by 7.78 per cent to close at N1.54 per unit, Chi Plc failed by 7.61 per cent to close at N0.85 per share, Cornerstone Insurance dipped by 6.15 per cent to close at N1.22 per unit. The volume of trades declined by 305.985 million, representing 56.91 per cent as investors traded 231.599 million shares valued at N3.992 billion in 5494 deals against 537.584 million shares worth N9.394 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 5893 deals. Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorps) led market activities during the day with 36.837 million shares valued at N159.312 million, Universal insurance followed with account of 16.989 million shares cost N3.611 million, GTCO Plc traded 15.442 million shares worth N563.447 million, Jaiz Bank traded 14.464 million shares cost N22.895 million, Chi Plc exchanged 12.754 million shares valued at N10.690 million.