Economy

73% of Nigerians Would Put Spare Cash into Savings—Report

Published

5 years ago

30/08/2019

By Dipo Olowookere

A new report released by Nielsen Africa, which measures Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in some countries on the continent, said things were not to rosy for Nigeria in the second quarter of 2019 because the country’s index slightly increased by one point to 127 unlike its West African neighbor, Ghana, which gained 10 points to settle at 118.

The 127 points reached by Nigeria, according to a summary of the report made available to Business Post, remains the highest confidence level for the country since the first quarter of 2016.

“Following a turbulent period in its history, Nigeria’s economic recovery is gaining momentum with GDP expected to grow slightly to 2.5 percent year on year, off the back of moderate improvements in net exports and domestic demand. Nigerians are optimistic about their future and this is reflected in the confidence scores,” Nielsen MD for Nigeria, Mr Ged Nooy, commented.

Looking at the consumer picture, Nigerians immediate-spending intentions have shown a healthy increase; with 54 percent of consumers versus 46 percent in the previous quarter saying now is a good or excellent time to purchase what they want or need.

However, their perception around job prospects have slightly declined, with 60 percent viewing them as excellent or good, a nine-point drop from the previous quarter.

It was stated that sentiment around the state of personal finances has shown a slight improvement with 82 percent Nigerians agreeing their state of personal finances will be excellent or good over the next year, a one-point increase from the previous quarter.

Looking at whether Nigerians have spare cash to spend, 51 percent said yes, versus 55 percent in the previous quarter.

In terms of their spending priorities, once they meet their essential living expenses, 76 percent would invest in home improvements/ decorating, 73 percent would put their spare cash into savings and 66 percent say they will invest in shares/mutual funds.

Surprisingly, in light of their propensity towards savings and investment, the lowest number 39 percent said they would put their spare cash into retirement funds.

Looking at the top concerns for Nigerians over the next six months, work/life balance tops the list with 27 percent (a six-point increase compared to the previous quarter) and has displaced political stability as the number one concern for Nigerians.

This is followed by increasing food prices at 22 percent (a one-point increase compared to Q1’19) and the economy at 20 percent (a four-point increase compared to the previous quarter)

Elaborating on these results, Mr Nooy said, “Nigerian consumers are positive and open to spending, however, the country’s retail environment continues to feel the effects of steep inflation. Manufacturers and retailers will therefore need to tackle this challenge head on, to harness the true value of Nigeria’s powerful consumer base.”

On the part of Ghana, its CCI for the second quarter of 2019 showed an extremely healthy increase of 10 points to 118.

Looking at Ghana’s overall performance, Nielsen Market Lead for West Africa, Yannick Nkembe said, “Ghana is currently the poster child for African economic growth and positive consumer sentiment. The International Monetary Fund estimates its GDP will rise 8.8 percent this year – double the pace of emerging economies as a whole, and well ahead of world growth.

“This is a result of factors such as expanding crude oil production, a stable democracy and the introduction of a more favourable taxation structure. Ghana’s manufacturing industry has also been boosted by policies aimed at diversifying the economy and preventing an over-reliance on the commodity markets.”

This overall positive outlook is reflected by Ghanaian consumers’ greatly improved view of their job prospects, with a 10-point increase to 63 percent, saying they will be excellent or good in the next six months.

In terms of the state of their personal finances over the next 12 months, 74 percent say excellent or good up from 70 percent and the number of Ghanaian consumers who feel now is a good or excellent time to purchase has also seen a large increase quarter on quarter, from 34 percent to 46 percent.

Looking at whether Ghanaians have spare cash, 52 percent say yes, up nine points from the previous quarter. Once they meet their essential living expenses, the highest number of consumers (82 percent) put their spare cash into savings, followed by 72 percent on home improvements/decorating and 67 percent who invest in stocks and mutual funds.

When looking at the real life factors that are having a negative impact on Ghanaians outlook, the top concerns over the next six months include work/life balance at 24 percent; the same figure as the last quarter, rising food prices at 22 percent (dropped by three points compared to Q1’19) and tolerance towards different religions, also at 22 percent (increased by one percent since the previous quarter), and children’s education and welfare at 18 percent which has seen a 2-point increase.

Economy

Nigeria Adds 150,000 b/d Crude Production in November 2024

Published

1 hour ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria added 150,000 barrels per day to its crude production in November 2024 as it continues to pursue an ambitious 2 million barrels per day target.

According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria’s oil production rose to 1.48 million barrels per day in November, up from 1.33 million barrels per day the previous month.

In its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), OPEC revealed that at 1.48 million barrels per day, it is the continent’s leading oil producer, surpassing Algeria’s 908,000 barrels per day and Congo’s 268,000 barrels per day.

Business Post reports that OPEC doesn’t account for condensates, which Nigeria’s accounts for in its broader 2 million barrels per day target.

Despite the surge in production levels, Nigeria is still under producing its 1.5 million barrels per day output quota under a deal involving OPEC and 10 other producers known as OPEC+.

OPEC said it relied on primary data gotten through direct communication, noting that secondary sources reported 1.417 million barrels per day as Nigeria’s crude production in November — up from 1.4 million barrels per day in October.

The data also shows that OPEC’s total oil production among its 12 members rose by 104,000 barrels per day in the month under review.

According to secondary sources, the total of the 12 OPEC countries’ crude oil production averaged 26.66 million barrels per day in November 2024.

“Crude oil output increased mainly in Libya, Iran, and Nigeria, while production in Iraq, Venezuela, and Kuwait decreased”, OPEC said.

“At the same time, total non-OPEC DoC crude oil production averaged 14.01 mb/d in November 2024, which is 219 tb/d higher, m-o-m. Crude oil output increased mainly in Kazakhstan and Malaysia,” the organisation added.

In a related development, OPEC trimmed its 2024 and 2025 oil demand growth forecasts for the fifth time this year.

Now, the cartel expects the world’s oil demand growth at 1.61 million barrels per day from the previously 1.82 million barrels per day.

For 2025, OPEC says the world oil demand growth forecast is now at 1.45 million barrels per day, a 900,000 barrels per day cut from the previously expected 1.54 million barrels per day.

On the changes, OPEC says that the downgrade for this year owes to more bearish data received in the third quarter of 2024 while the projections for next year relate to the potential impact that will arise from US tariffs.

Economy

Afriland Properties, Geo-Fluids Shrink OTC Securities Exchange by 0.06%

Published

8 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The duo of Afriland Properties Plc and Geo-Fluids Plc crashed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by a marginal 0.06 per cent on Wednesday, December 11 due to profit-taking activities.

The OTC securities exchange experienced a downfall at midweek despite UBN Property Plc posting a price appreciation of 17 Kobo to close at N1.96 per share, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1.79.

Business Post reports that Afriland Properties Plc slid by N1.14 to finish at N15.80 per unit versus the preceding day’s N16.94 per unit, and Geo-Fluids Plc declined by 1 Kobo to trade at N3.92 per share compared with the N3.93 it ended a day earlier.

At the close of transactions, the market capitalisation of the bourse, which measures the total value of securities on the platform, shrank by N650 million to finish at N1.055 trillion compared with the previous day’s N1.056 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went down by 1.86 points to wrap the session at 3,012.50 points compared with 3,014.36 points recorded in the previous session.

The alternative stock market was busy yesterday as the volume of securities traded by investors soared by 146.9 per cent to 5.9 million units from 2.4 million units, as the value of shares transacted by the market participants jumped by 360.9 per cent to N22.5 million from N4.9 million, and the number of deals increased by 50 per cent to 21 deals from 14 deals.

When the bourse closed for the day, Geo-Fluids Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units valued at N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units worth N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc 297.5 million units sold for N5.3 million.

Also, Aradel Holdings Plc, which is now listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after its exit from NASD, remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units sold for N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.5 million units worth N5.3 billion.

Economy

Naira Weakens to N1,547/$1 at Official Market, N1,670/$1 at Black Market

Published

9 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

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.