For the first time in weeks, Nigeria’s equities market closed flat on Thursday as investors adopted a cautious approach, taking a “wait-and-see” stance.

Despite active trading in major stocks such as FBN Holdings, Fidelity Bank, Transcorp, Access Holdings, and AIICO, the market showed no significant movement.

On Thursday, investors exchanged 1,299,961,984 shares worth N25.326 billion in 8,364 deals on the Exchange.

However, the trading activity did not translate into a market shift.

The NGX All-Share Index (ASI) and Market Capitalisation, which stood at 99,842.19 points and N56.478 trillion on the preceding trading day, closed Thursday at 99,842.94 points and N56.479 trillion, respectively.

This static closure occurred despite notable performances from stocks like Champion Breweries and Chams, which rallied.

Conversely, Transcorp Hotels Plc, NEM Insurance, and Fidelity Bank topped the list of laggards.

“We anticipate a mixed trading session with potential buy-side pressure in key names that could steer the market to a green close,” stated analysts from Lagos-based Vetiva Research in their post-trading note. “Investors are expected to monitor movements in high-performing stocks as well.”

Related developments highlighted the challenges facing investors. Rising diesel prices have surged by 66%, hitting the Northeast hardest.

The Naira remains weak at the official market despite rising external reserves, and prime office tenants face dilemmas with dollar-rents surging 200% in Naira value.

The flat close on Thursday underscores the cautious sentiment prevailing among investors in Nigeria’s equities market.

The market’s performance continues to reflect broader economic uncertainties and investor strategies focusing on stability and risk management.

Nigeria’s stock market has seen a remarkable surge in foreign investor activity, with equity trading by foreign investors skyrocketing 437% in the first four months of 2024.

This growth has pushed the total value of foreign equity trades to N334.01 billion, a significant increase from N62.18 billion during the same period in 2023.

Data from the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) reveals that between January and April 2024, Nigerian stock investors exchanged equities valued at N1.894 trillion, a sharp rise from N721.44 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Foreign investors accounted for 17.63% of this total, while domestic investors dominated the market with 82.37%, trading N1.560 trillion worth of equities.

The increased foreign participation peaked in April 2024, with foreign investors trading N120.83 billion worth of stocks, representing 34.90% of the total value traded that month.

This surge highlights a growing confidence in Nigeria’s equity market despite broader economic challenges and a competitive fixed income market.

Analysts attribute this spike in foreign equity trading to various factors, including attractive stock valuations and improved regulatory frameworks.

“We expect continued interest in fundamentally sound stocks,” noted analysts at Comercio Partners, highlighting the positive market return of 33.64% by mid-June 2024.

Despite the attractiveness of fixed-income yields, particularly with Treasury bill rates reaching as high as 23.3% for one-year T-bills, participants remain drawn to equities, seeking growth in undervalued stocks.

Meristem research analysts predict a mixed performance in the equities market, driven by positive momentum and cautious trading.

The influx of foreign capital comes as a positive sign for Nigeria’s economic outlook, reflecting investor confidence in the nation’s regulatory and market reforms.

The NGX has been proactive in boosting market accessibility, recently launching a USSD platform to provide real-time stock market information, a move aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and market participation.

Prominent stockbroking firms have also played a crucial role in this trading boom.

CardinalStone Securities Limited led the market by trading stocks worth N197.535 billion, followed by Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited and United Capital Securities Limited.