Economy
CBN, FMDQ Float 5-Year FX Futures Contracts for FPIs, FDIs
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its efforts to attract foreign capital into the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has further worked with the FMDQ Holdings Plc to introduce a 5-year foreign exchange (FX) futures contracts.
According to the apex bank, FX futures contracts, which would be traded over-the-counter (OTC), were to show its commitment towards the development of the local currency market.
With this latest development, the total number of open OTC FX Futures contracts at the market at any point has risen to 60. Before now, there were 13 contracts, but on Thursday, February 13, 2020, the central bank introduced 47 new monthly OTC FX Futures contracts.
Under the erstwhile OTC FX Futures market structure, the CBN offered 13 monthly contracts allowing market participants hedge FX exposures for up to a one-year period.
Whilst this was a welcome development, a gap was identified where investors seeking to hedge FX risk longer than a year were unable to achieve a perfect hedge using the FX Futures product due to the maturity mismatch.
The resultant risk of unwanted variability in the product deterred investors from using OTC FX Futures market for long-term capital hedging as this was considered unsuitable for long-term investment and capital budgeting purposes, leaving the Nigerian financial markets struggling to attract much-needed FPIs/FDIs and long-term foreign currency (FCY) denominated borrowings for sustainable development and economic growth.
But the impact of the extension of the hedge curve by the CBN to up to 60 months will greatly reduce potential FX exposures, encourage long-term planning and increase investments in the Nigerian financial markets.
In the global financial system, hedging products are market enablers, allowing businesses and investors around the world to invest freely across borders, effectively hedge their risks and invariably contributing to economic growth.
With the FX Futures contracts, the effective rate at which a counterparty will purchase (or sell) FX at any given time in the future is predetermined and fixed; essentially obligating the parties to the transaction which is consummated on FMDQ Exchange, to purchase or sell a currency (in this case, US Dollar) on a predetermined future date (the settlement date) for a fixed rate agreed on the date a contract is entered (trade date).
No obligation exists for the physical delivery of the currency and at maturity, clearing and net settlement which is effected by FMDQ Clear, is made in Naira based on the US Dollar notional amount, and determined by the difference between the agreed rate (on trade date) and the rate on maturity (on settlement date) as determined by FMDQ’s FX reference rate, the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing (NAFEX).
Commenting on the development, the CEO of FMDQ Group, Mr Bola Onadele, stated that, “We are excited that the CBN has yet again introduced this revolutionary initiative which will minimise the funding liquidity risk of CBN’s FX Management Blotter and significantly attract capital, incentivise domestic corporates to avail on low interest rate FCY loans, as well as encourage FPIs/FDIs seeking to make medium-to-long-term investments in our economy.”
He said, “This product innovation, which will continue to provide opportunities for the government, businesses, fund managers investors, individuals etc. to hedge to manage exchange rate risk, thus achieving greater market confidence, liquidity, improvement in business planning, better allocation of resources, global competitiveness of the Nigerian financial markets, and in all, a thriving economy.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.21 per cent on Tuesday, April 15, helped by three stocks on the trading platform.
During the session, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) jumped by 6.73 points to 3,271.02 points from the previous session’s 3,264.29 points and the market capitalisation increased by N3.94 billion to close at N1.915 trillion versus the N1.911 trillion it ended on Monday.
Trading data showed that there was a 68.7 per cent rise in the volume of securities transacted in the session as 736,215 units were quoted compared to the 436,357 units traded in the previous trading day, the value of transactions jumped by 20.5 per cent to N12.2 million from N10.1 million, while the number of deals fell by 49 per cent to 26 deals from 51 deals.
Yesterday, Newrest Asl Plc gained N3.45 to close at N37.97 per share compared with the preceding day’s N34.52 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc went up by N1.82 to close at N37.45 per unit versus Monday’s price of N35.63 per unit, and Mass Telecom Innovation Plc expanded by 1 Kobo to trade at 41 Kobo per share against the 40 Kobo per share it ended a day earlier.
However, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc lost 20 Kobo to finish at N20.70 per unit compared with the previous closing value of N20.90 per unit, and Geo-Fluids Plc dropped 20 Kobo to settle at N1.80 per share versus the previous day’s N2.00 per share.
Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 533.9 million units worth N520.9 million, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 153.6 million units sold for N4.9 billion, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 71.2 million units worth N24.2 million.
Okitipupa Plc remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 153.6 million sold for N4.9 billion, trailed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 14.7 million units valued at N568.1 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 533.9 million units worth N520.9 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira appreciated against the US Dollar by 0.24 per cent or N3.85 at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Tuesday, April 15, closing at N1,601.40/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,605.25/$1.
However, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Naira depreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market yesterday by N59.23 to sell for N2,115.26/£1 compared with Monday’s closing price of N2,056.03/£1 and tumbled against the Euro by N38.75 to trade at N1,808.89/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,770.14/€1.
As for the black market, the Nigerian Naira maintained stability against the Dollar during the trading session at N1,615/$1.
The Nigerian currency closed mixed on Tuesday as Nigeria’s inflation data edged up to 24.23 per cent in March, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday.
It was the first time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen since it was rebased in January. The new rate indicates an upward movement of 1.05 per cent from the 23.18 per cent reported in February 2025, signalling a return to levels (24.48 per cent) recorded in the beginning of the year after the CPI rebasing.
In the cryptocurrency market, there were major negative outcome as Nvidia, which plays a crucial role in mining cryptocurrencies, received a US ban restricting its H20 chip sales to China.
This adds to fears triggered by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China and other trading partners, leading to profit-taking.
Cardano (ADA) lost 5.5 per cent to trade at $0.6055, Solana (SOL) slumped by 4.2 per cent to $125.44, Ethereum (ETH) slid by 4.0 per cent to $1,570.96, and Ripple (XRP) dropped 3.9 per cent to $2.05.
In addition, Dogecoin (DOGE) depreciated by 3.8 per cent to $0.1535, Litecoin (LTC) went down by 2.7 per cent to $75.72, Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 2.4 per cent to $83,405.30, and Binance Coin (BNB) shrank by 1.3 per cent to $580.40, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) were flat at $1.00 each.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited bounced back to the green territory on Tuesday with a 0.03 per cent growth amid a bearish market sentiment.
Data showed that the bourse finished with 24 price gainers and 29 price losers, representing a negative market breadth index and weak investor sentiment.
This was due to the persistent cautious trading by the market participants because of the global trade war between the United States and China.
Business Post reports that the banking space was down yesterday by 0.11 per cent as a result of profit-taking activities by investors, though this did not affect the general outcome of Customs Street because of the gains recorded by the others.
The consumer goods index appreciated by 0.72 per cent, and the insurance counter improved by 0.15 per cent, while the energy, industrial goods and commodity sectors closed flat.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) chalked up 30.40 points to settle at 104,560.02 points compared with the previous day’s 104,529.62 points and the market capitalisation grew by N19 billion to N65.704 trillion from N65.685 trillion.
Abbey Mortgage Bank gained 9.94 per cent to sell for N7.41, Unilever Nigeria appreciated by 9.65 per cent to N38.05, Learn Africa jumped by 8.33 per cent to N3.25, Secure Electronic Technology surged by 7.41 per cent to 58 Kobo, and Consolidated Hallmark advanced by 7.27 per cent to N2.95.
On the flip side, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills declined by 9.97 per cent to N79.00, The Initiates fell by 9.57 per cent to N4.25, Caverton descended by 9.06 per cent to N2.31, Guinea Insurance depreciated by 8.70 per cent to 63 Kobo, and NGX Group lost 8.56 per cent to quote at N31.50.
The activity log was mixed yesterday as the trading value went up by 3.81 per cent, while the trading volume and the number of deals went down by 13.87 per cent and 9.29 per cent apiece.
A total of 368.8 million shares valued at N10.9 billion were traded in 13,228 deals during the session versus the 428.2 million shares worth N10.5 billion transacted in 14,583 deals on Monday.
Fidelity Bank was the most active stock of the day with a turnover of 47.4 million units worth N867.0 million, Access Holdings traded 28.1 million units for N592.2 million, Zenith Bank sold 23.1 million units valued at N1.2 billion, UBA exchanged 22.0 million units worth N690.5 million, and FCMB transacted 20.8 million units valued at N185.1 million.
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