Economy
Shares Jump 0.50% Day After CBN Rate Cut to 11.50%
By Dipo Olowookere
The news of the slashing of the benchmark interest rate in the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to 11.50 per cent from 12.50 per cent on Tuesday excited investors at the stock market on Wednesday.
On the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the level of activity improved significantly and this increased the number of price gainers as the traders started mopping some stocks trading at low prices.
A total of 414.2 million stocks worth N6.3 billion were traded in the midweek session in 3,793 deals in contrast to the previous day’s 262.0 million equities worth N4.4 billion transacted in 3,254 deals, representing a rise in the trading volume, value and number of deals by 58.05 per cent, 42.74 per cent and 16.56 per cent respectively.
At the close of transactions, the equity market appreciated by 0.50 per cent, reducing the year-to-date loss to 3.95 per cent.
Also, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 128.12 points to 25,783.02 points from 25,654.90 points, while the market capitalisation grew by N67 billion to N13.475 trillion from N13.408 trillion.
In the same vein, all the five major sub-sectors of the market gained on Wednesday, with the energy sector closing as the best performer, rising by 2.02 per cent.
The consumer goods sector appreciated by 1.35 per cent, the insurance counter rose by 1.09 per cent, the banking space grew by 0.65 per cent, while the industrial goods index gained 0.09 per cent.
Business Post reports that the highest price gainer yesterday was Seplat, which added N15 to its share value to settle at N400 per share and was followed by Nigerian Breweries, which gained N1.50 to finish at N43.50 per unit.
MTN Nigeria garnered 90 kobo to close at N123.90 per share, Mobil Oil improved by 60 kobo to sell for N193.10 per share, while Flour Mills increased its share price by 35 kobo to end at N20 per unit.
The worst-performing stock on Wednesday was Eterna, which lost 18 kobo to close at N2.50 per share and was trailed by BOC Gas after losing 11 kobo to quote at N4.25 per unit.
Africa Prudential depreciated by 10 kobo to sell for N4.35 each, NPF Microfinance Bank lost 8 kobo to trade at N1.22 per share, while Custodian Investment went down by 5 kobo to N4.80 per unit.
The most active stock of the session was Sterling Bank as it traded 85.2 million units worth N98.0 million and was closely followed by FBN Holdings, which transacted 82.7 million shares worth N413.7 million.
Access Bank traded 58.2 million equities valued at N366.7 million, Zenith Bank exchanged 28.5 million stocks worth N480.2 million, while MTN Nigeria traded 25.7 million shares for N3.1 billion.
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.
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.
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.”
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