Economy
NGX Index Zooms Past 70,000 points as Airtel, 36 Others Gain
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited maintained its upward movement on Wednesday after it closed the first trading session of November 2023 higher by 1.94 per cent.
Sustained buying interest in Airtel Africa and 36 other equities drove the All-Share Index (ASI) above the 70,000-point psychological mark during the trading session.
Business Post reports that the benchmark index appreciated yesterday by 1,345.57 points to 70,581.76 points from the preceding day’s 69,236.19 points.
It was observed that the key focus on financial stocks in the midweek session raised the market capitalisation of the exchange higher by N739 billion to N38.778 trillion from N38.039 trillion.
The insurance sector gained 3.73 per cent on Wednesday as the banking counter grew by 2.21 per cent, offsetting the 0.14 per cent loss recorded by the consumer goods index, as the energy and the industrial goods sector remained unchanged.
The market breadth index was positive yesterday as there were only 16 price losers, indicating that investor sentiment remained bullish.
Airtel Africa chalked up 10.00 per cent to trade at N1,694.10, Chams rose by 9.91 per cent to N2.44, University Press increased by 9.91 per cent to N2.33, NEM Insurance gained 9.90 per cent to finish at N5.55, and FBN Holdings jumped by 9.78 per cent to N19.65.
Conversely, Caverton depreciated by 7.74 per cent to N1.43, Champion Breweries fell by 6.85 per cent to N3.40, C & I Leasing declined by 6.41 per cent to N3.36, UPDC REIT shrank by 2.70 per cent to N3.60, and Unilever Nigeria slipped by 2.44 per cent to N14.00.
It was a busy day on Wednesday as investors transacted 601.7 million shares valued at N11.0 billion in 7,444 deals versus the 483.3 million shares valued at N6.1 billion traded in 8,027 deals on Tuesday, implying a decline in the number of deals by 7.26 per cent, an increase in the trading volume by 24.50 per cent and a rise in the trading value by 80.33 per cent.
UBA closed the day as traders’ delight with a turnover of 163.6 million stocks valued at N3.5 billion, FBN Holdings transacted 94.7 million equities worth N1.8 billion, GTCO exchanged 45.8 million shares for N1.6 billion, Access Holdings sold 36.7 million stocks for N642.0 million, and Universal Insurance traded 34.7 million shares valued at N8.9 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
After recent gains, the Naira recorded its first loss against the US Dollar in 2026 on Thursday, January 8, in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
Yesterday, at the official market, the Nigerian currency tumbled against the greenback by N1.46 or 0.11 per cent to sell for N1,419.72/$1, in contrast to Wednesday’s closing price of N1,418.26/$1.
However, the local currency further appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the same market segment by N5.28 to close at N1,908.38/£1 versus the preceding session’s N1,913.66/£1, but lost 14 Kobo against the Euro to finish at N1,657.66/€1 compared with the midweek session’s closing price of N1,657.52/€1.
In the same vein, the Naira weakened against its American counterpart in the parallel market by N15 during the session to quote at N1,485/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,470/$1 and declined by N3 at the GTBank forex desk to trade at N1,428/$1 versus the previous value of N1,425/$1.
The domestic currency has remained relatively stable in the spot market in tandem with projections by analysts, including PwC, which expects the Naira to remain broadly stable through 2026, underpinned by ongoing reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improved portfolio inflows
However, policymakers have been told to wary of weak oil prices or production disruptions reducing FX inflows, deepening FX liquidity crisis, and forced currency devaluation, which could return prices to weaker levels.
According to CardinalStone, pre-election worries, an unanticipated slump in exports, especially non-oil, and the ongoing global trend of tightening border controls may reduce Nigerian exports, and have a ripple effect on the Naira’s strength.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it was bullish as traders await the US Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The market is pricing in to see if the US Supreme Court explicitly upholds Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Depending on the outcome, this could potentially push long-term US yields higher and tighten global liquidity, a mix that has historically pressured crypto, which is sensitive to quick changes in both.
Solana (SOL) appreciated by 4.2 per cent to $140.49, Binance Coin (BNB) gained 1.8 per cent to sell for $895.46, Cardano (ADA) increased by 1.8 per cent to $0.3989, and Ripple (XRP) soared by 1.6 per cent to $2.14.
Further, Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 1.3 per cent each to $91,017.24 and $81.73 apiece, Ethereum (ETH) grew by 0.4 per cent to $3,119.22, and Dogecoin (DOGE) expanded by 0.2 per cent to $0.1429, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) finished flat at $1.00 each.
By Dipo Olowookere
It was another trading session for the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in the green territory as it further improved by 0.13 per cent at the close of business.
The bourse managed to stay up despite profit-taking in the financial services and the energy sectors yesterday.
According to data, the insurance counter depreciated by 3.07 per cent, the banking industry went down by 0.40 per cent, and the energy space shrank by 0.11 per cent.
However, the commodity index increased by 0.65 per cent, the consumer goods landscape went up by 0.55 per cent, and the industrial goods sector closed higher by 0.11 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) soared by 214.80 points to 160,806.56 points from 160,591.76 points and the market capitalisation advanced by N137 billion to N102.822 trillion from N102.685 trillion.
Investor sentiment was weak on Thursday as Customs Street ended with 32 price gainers and 41 price losers, indicating a negative market breadth index.
Neimeth chalked up 10.00 per cent to trade at N7.70, May and Baker increased by 9.85 per cent to N26.20, eTranzact gained 9.64 per cent to finish at N13.65, Multiverse jumped by 9.51 per cent to N21.30, and Mecure Industries grew by 9.42 per cent to N74.95.
On the flip side, International Energy Insurance decreased by 9.90 per cent to N2.73, ABC Transport tumbled by 9.88 per cent to N4.47, Austin Laz crashed by 9.84 per cent to N4.58, Conoil stumbled by 9.72 per cent to N169.00, and Veritas Kapital dropped 9.69 per cent to N1.77.
The busiest stock was Chams with 60.5 million units worth N236.8 million, Linkage Assurance traded 54.1 million units valued at N97.6 million, Tantalizers transacted 45.0 million units for N129.7 million, Access Holdings sold 35.5 million units worth N815.4 million, and Champion Breweries exchanged 31.2 million units valued at N519.1 million.
When the closing gong was struck, market participants traded 645.1 million units for N16.5 billion in 44,410 deals compared with the 1.4 billion units valued at N20.7 billion transacted in 49,286 deals a day earlier, showing a fall in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 53.92 per cent, 20.29 per cent, and 9.89 per cent apiece.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Crude oil went up by over 3 per cent on Thursday as investors assessed developments in Venezuela and worried about supplies from Russia, Iraq and Iran.
Brent futures rose by $2.03 or 3.4 per cent to $61.99 per barrel, and the United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained $1.77 or 3.2 per cent to trade at $57.76 per barrel.
The market is bracing for outcome of visits to Venezuela next week that will include representatives of the US and European oil companies, following the announcement of a $2 billion oil deal and the supply of goods to the South American country by the United States.
America seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, with one sailing under Russia’s flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas.
After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid a few days ago, the US has been escalating its blockade of vessels that are under sanctions and traveling to and from the South American country, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Meanwhile, the risk of a major supply shock related to Iran, another OPEC member, is climbing as protests swept the country, leading to a nationwide internet blackout.
President Trump’s earlier threat to come to the rescue of any peaceful protesters killed by the Iranian regime adds to concerns in oil markets that these protests could result in direct action by the US in Iran.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned domestic suppliers against hoarding or overpricing goods, as the country rolled out high-stakes subsidy reforms during nationwide protests against economic hardship.
Developments in Iraq, a member of OPEC, added to the broader geopolitical support for crude, as the cabinet approved plans to nationalize operations at the giant West Qurna 2 oilfield to avert potential disruptions linked to U.S. sanctions on Russian stakeholder Lukoil.
Iraq and Iran are among the biggest oil producers in OPEC behind Saudi Arabia.
A Russia-bound oil tanker was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea, prompting a request for Turkish Coast Guard assistance and a course diversion. While no party has claimed responsibility for the attack, it does highlight further instability in the region and a broader threat to oil flows.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday the text of a bilateral security guarantee between Ukraine and the US was ready to be finalised with Mr Trump.
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