Economy
Stock Market Witnesses N30.379 billion Transactions in Four Days
By Dipo Olowookere
Transactions worth N30.379 billion were recorded at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited last week, which had four trading sessions due to the public holiday observed last Wednesday for Eid-el Maulud.
Data obtained by Business Post showed that the stock market posted these trades from the sale of 3.911 billion shares in 38,536 deals.
When compared with the preceding week, which had five trading days, the value of transactions weakened by 36.00 per cent, as investors bought and sold 2.933 billion shares valued at N47.449 billion in 44,654 deals.
A breakdown indicated that the financial services industry led the activity chart with 2.774 billion shares valued at N15.241 billion in 16,379 deals, contributing 70.92 per cent and 50.17 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
The energy sector followed with 438.508 million shares worth N5.203 billion in 6,258 deals, while the ICT space was in third place with 294.470 million shares worth N4.447 billion in 3,078 deals.
Further analysis revealed that Universal Insurance Plc, Oando Plc and UBA Plc were the busiest equities in the week, accounting for 2.212 billion units worth N8.907 billion in 7,593 deals, contributing 56.56 per cent and 29.32 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
Last week, 48 equities appreciated in price versus 32 equities in the previous week, 40 shares shed weight versus 53 equities in the earlier week, and 67 stocks closed flat, in contrast to 70 stocks in the previous week.
Sunu Assurances was the best-performing stock as it gained 32.91 per cent to end at N1.05, Ellah Lakes grew by 28.79 per cent to N4.25, eTranzact expanded by 28.57 per cent to N9.45, Chams improved by 19.09 per cent to N1.31, and Abbey Mortgage Bank rose by 17.65 per cent to N2.00.
Conversely, Tantalizers was the worst-performing equity after it dropped 21.05 per cent to sell at 30 Kobo, Guinea Insurance declined by 20.69 per cent to 23 Kobo, McNichols shed 13.33 per cent to settle at 65 Kobo, Unity Bank fell by 11.29 per cent to N1.10, and Secure Electronic Technology depreciated by 10.34 per cent to 26 Kobo.
It was observed that profit-taking dominated the week because were not convinced enough that the new leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would bring the much-needed positive changes into the foreign exchange (FX) market, with the Naira trading above N1,000/$1 in the unregulated markets.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation depreciated by 0.11 per cent each to 67,324.59 points and N36.847 trillion, respectively.
All other indices finished higher except the NGX 30, NGX Premium, NGX AFR Div Yield, Lotus ll, industrial goods, growth and the pension broad, which went down by 0.13 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 0.12 per cent, 4.80 per cent, 0.36 per cent and 0.14 per cent apiece, as the ASeM index remained unchanged.
Economy
Naira Weakens to N1,547/$1 at Official Market, N1,670/$1 at Black Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The euphoria around the recent appreciation of the Naira eased on Wednesday, December 11 after its value shrank against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) by N5.23 or 0.3 per cent to N1,547.50/$1 from the N1,542.27/$1 it was valued on Tuesday.
It was observed that spectators’ activities may have triggered the weakening of the local currency in the official market at midweek as they tried to fight back and ensure the value of funds in foreign currencies strengthened.
The domestic currency was regaining its footing after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched an Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) platform to tackle speculation and improve transparency in Nigeria’s FX market.
At midweek, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling by N3.56 to close at N1,958.68/£1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,955.12/£1 and against the Euro, it slumped by 34 Kobo to trade at N1,612.66/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,613.00/€1.
As for the black market segment, the Naira lost N45 against the American currency during the session to quote at N1,670/$1 compared with the N1,625/$1 it was traded a day earlier.
A look at the cryptocurrency market showed a recovery following profit-taking as the US Consumer Price Index report matched economist forecasts.
The news was enough to convince traders that the Federal Reserve is certain to trim its benchmark fed funds rate another 25 basis points at its meeting next week.
The move also saw Bitcoin (BTC), the most valued coin, return to the $100,000 mark as it added a 2.9 per cent gain and sold for $100,566.12.
The biggest gainer was Cardano (ADA), which jumped by 15.00 per cent to trade at $1.16, as Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 10.4 per cent to sell for $121.76, and Ethereum (ETH) surged by 7.0 per cent to $3,929.30, while Dogecoin (DOGE) recorded a 6.7 per cent growth to finish at $0.4181.
Further, Binance Coin (BNB) went up by 5.2 per cent to $716.72, Solana (SOL) expanded by 4.6 per cent to $229.77, and Ripple (XRP) increased by 4.2 per cent to $2.43, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 apiece.
Economy
Dangote Refinery Makes First PMS Exports to Cameroon
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State has made its first export of premium motor spirit (PMS) just three months after it commenced the production of petrol.
In September 2024, the refinery produced its first petrol and began loading to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on September 15.
However, due to some issues, the facility has not been able to flood the local market with its product, forcing it to look elsewhere.
In a landmark move for regional energy integration, Dangote Refinery has partnered with Neptune Oil to take its petrol to neighbouring Cameroon.
Neptune Oil is a leading energy company in Cameroon which provides reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
Dangote Refinery said this development showcases its ability to meet domestic needs and position itself as a key player in the regional energy market, adding that it represents a significant step forward in accessing high-quality and locally sourced petroleum products for Cameroon.
“This first export of PMS to Cameroon is a tangible demonstration of our vision for a united and energy-independent Africa.
“With this development, we are laying the foundation for a future where African resources are refined and exchanged within the continent for the benefit of our people,” the owner of Dangote Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote, said.
His counterpart at Neptune Oil, Mr Antoine Ndzengue, said, “This partnership with Dangote Refinery marks a turning point for Cameroon.
“By becoming the first importer of petroleum products from this world-class refinery, we are bolstering our country’s energy security and supporting local economic development.
“This initial supply, executed without international intermediaries, reflects our commitment to serving our markets independently and efficiently.”
Economy
Strong Investor Sentiment Keeps NGX Index in Green Territory by 0.31%
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited remained in the green territory on Wednesday after it rallied by 0.31 per cent on the back of sustained bargain-hunting activities by investors.
Business Post reports that all the key sectors of the market closed higher at midweek as a result of the renewed interest in local equities.
Data showed that the energy index appreciated by 2.59 per cent, the insurance space grew by 2.34 per cent, the industrial goods sector improved by 0.15 per cent, the banking counter expanded by 0.06 per cent, and the consumer goods industry rose by 0.04 per cent.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) gained 302.71 points to settle at 98,509.68 points compared with Tuesday’s closing value of 98,206.97 points and the market capitalisation added N183 billion to close at N59.715 trillion versus the preceding day’s N59.532 trillion.
It was observed that the level of activity yesterday waned as the trading volume, value and number of deals decreased by 65.93 per cent, 49.22 per cent, and 12.70 per cent, respectively.
On Wednesday, a total of 320.1 million stocks valued at N6.5 billion were transacted in 7,943 deals, in contrast to the 939.4 million stocks worth N12.8 billion traded in 9,098 deals.
The busiest equity at midweek was eTranzact, which transacted 70.3 million units for N474.2 million, Universal Insurance traded 23.8 million units worth 8.1 million, Zenith Bank exchanged 21.2 million units valued at N933.5 million, FBN Holdings sold 18.6 million units worth N491.2 million, and UBA traded 14.0 million units valued at N465.8 million.
At the close of transactions, 34 shares ended on the gainers’ log and 17 shares finished on the losers’ chart, representing a positive market breadth index and strong investor sentiment.
Africa Prudential gained 10.00 per cent to quote at N14.30, Conoil also improved by 10.00 per cent to N352.00, and RT Briscoe expanded by 10.00 per cent to N2.42, as Golden Guinea Breweries jumped by 9.95 per cent to N7.18, while NEM Insurance grew by 9.74 per cent to N10.70.
However, Julius Berger lost 10.00 per cent to close at N155.25, Secure Electronic Technology shed 9.52 per cent to trade at 57 Kobo, Multiverse declined by 7.63 per cent to N5.45, Haldane McCall tumbled by 6.07 per cent to N4.95, and Honeywell Flour crashed by 5.62 per cent to N4.70.
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