Economy
FMDQ to Begin Exchange-Traded Derivatives Market July 12
By Adedapo Adesanya
The MDQ Securities Exchange Limited has announced plans to introduce its dynamic Exchange-Traded Derivatives market on July 12, 2023.
The new market will offer three products – the Federal Government of Nigeria Bond Futures, Treasury Bills Futures, and Open Market Operation Bills Futures, at the commencement of its operations.
The exchange, in a statement, said these products would deliver the dividends of the derivatives market by serving as useful risk management tools, supporting price discovery, competitiveness, and market efficiency, which in turn will help attract capital flows, reduce the cost of capital, promote secondary market liquidity, and ultimately deepen the Nigerian financial markets.
It noted that financial markets are plagued with heightened price volatility, fluctuating market prices/rates, and the constant uncertainty of macroeconomic indicators, with the Nigerian financial markets not faring any better.
Hence, the new ETD market is its response to the counter and assuage these adverse effects; robust and efficient risk management tools, such as derivatives, are typically employed.
“Whilst model markets have been able to harness the potential of the derivatives markets to mitigate risk efficiently, diversify investment portfolios, and allow businesses to pursue expansion with a higher risk in a safe manner, the reverse is the case in emerging and frontier markets, such as Nigeria, as derivatives markets are non-existent or small – with a dearth of derivatives products – at best, and hedging costs are high, making it uninteresting for market participants,” it said.
FMDQ noted that it conducted a feasibility study in 2015 to launch Nigeria’s most dynamic ETD market in collaboration with market stakeholders, thereby introducing exchange-traded risk hedging products to the Nigerian financial markets as is obtainable in other developing and developed financial markets globally.
The project, according to the firm, has recorded many milestones and implemented several initiatives including, but not limited to, the development of the FMDQ ETD Market Framework, SEC-approved Rules, and membership requirements; deployment of fit-for-purpose and optimised ETD trading and clearing modules on the FMDQ Q-ex System; development of Risk Management and Operational Framework across the financial market infrastructure (FMI) value chain; development of SEC-registered derivatives products; and execution of various stakeholder engagements and training sessions.
It was disclosed that it has impacted over 2,600 market stakeholders across the financial markets value chain, ranging from regulators, financial and non-bank financial institutions, corporate treasurers, accountants, legal practitioners, journalists and individuals, to sensitise and promote readiness for the imminent launch of the FMDQ ETD market.
As market participants position themselves to take advantage of the emerging novel segment of the financial markets, FMDQ Exchange is working with its 21 dealing members (DMs), three DMs with full licences and 18 DMs with Approval-in-Principle – to participate in the FMDQ ETD market as its pioneer Derivatives Trading Members (DTMs).
The DTMs will receive support from FMDQ Clear through six (6) Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) who will share mutualised responsibility, as Members of the CCP, in its mandate of ‘de-risking’ the Nigerian financial markets either as General Clearing Members (GCMs) – capable of clearing transactions for their proprietary positions and those of other DTMs and clients; or as Direct Clearing Members (DCMs) – capable of clearing their proprietary positions and those of their clients only.
It said of the six DMBs, there are five GCMs, three of which have full licences (Access Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc), whilst the other two have Approval-in-Principle, pending the completion of their SEC registration (First City Monument Bank Limited and United Bank for Africa PLC). The sixth DMB (Fidelity Bank PLC) is a DCM with an Approval-in-Principle, also pending the completion of its SEC registration.
In support of the launch of an active and thriving ETD market, FMDQ Exchange introduced the first of its kind Derivates-focused Podcast in Nigeria, Q-Dialogue, an FMDQ-framed colloquy, which is aimed at providing valuable, accurate, and objective information and insight on the FMDQ ETD market.
To further its business development mandate to implement initiatives that promote awareness and drive participation in the FMDQ derivatives market, FMDQ Exchange developed the Q-Estimator, an automated calculator that avails market participants the opportunity to estimate the cost of hedges and potential profit/loss in derivatives transactions or positions in the Nigerian financial markets, thereby equipping market participants to make strategic and informed investment decision-making in the FMDQ derivatives market.
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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