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Let the Festivities Begin

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First Day Of Trading Of The Lunar New Year at The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx)

By Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA, OANDA

Stock markets are ending the week on a downbeat note after central banks around the world largely adopted a more hawkish stance in recent days.

Only time will tell whether investors support the moves from central banks this week as much as they initially appeared to. More than a decade of ultra-low interest rates has been kind to investors and the path that many central banks have embarked on makes life a little harder for them, but not nearly as hard as high inflation.

It can be tough to take the pulse of the markets in times of such volatility and uncertainty, as we’re currently seeing. But I’m inclined to look at the way they’ve traded in the run-up to, and immediate aftermath of, the central bank announcements and deduce that investors are comfortable with the decisions that have been taken and view them as being in the long term interest of the bull market. What’s happened since may have more to do with the period we’re now heading into as investors prepare for the festivities.

A modest tightening is far more preferable than the risk of soaring inflation and a more aggressive monetary response further down the line. Central banks can’t afford to take those risks, not at a time when their economies are performing well, labour markets are tight and inflation is becoming more ingrained and widespread. The time has clearly come to address the inflation elephant in the room.

Take the case of the BoE. Many were surprised that the MPC raised rates on Thursday but if they hadn’t as a result of omicron uncertainty, they almost certainly would have in February and then multiple times next year. So while it could be argued that waiting for more data would have been prudent, it ultimately makes very little difference.

Especially with a move as insignificant as 15 basis points, one of the smallest hikes ever and the smallest since the late 80s. The message was important though; the tightening cycle has started and policymakers will turn a blind eye to inflation no more. A sentiment shared by many central banks around the world as we head into 2022.

Boost in UK retail sales unlikely to last

UK retail sales capped off an interesting week of data for the country that also saw restrictions tightened, virus numbers hit records and interest rates rose. The November rise was larger than expected while October was revised higher in a sign of consumers bringing forward their Christmas purchases in anticipation of stock shortages, perhaps even fear of more restrictions. The surge is not expected to last and recent developments could hinder retail sales further in the new year.

Oil consolidates as we await more data on omicron

Oil prices are down around 2% on Friday, dragged lower as trading becomes more risk-averse at the end of the week. It had rebounded well over the last couple of days but has run into resistance at the upper end of its recent range, around $73. We could see further consolidation around $70 in the coming sessions as we learn more about omicron, what restrictions it will bring, and whether OPEC+ will react.

The group has put a floor under the price for now, after announcing that adjustments could come at any time depending on the incoming data, but that will only hold so long if restrictions weigh on demand.

Relief for gold despite central banks embarking on tightening cycles

Gold is taking the news that central banks are tightening monetary policy and tackling inflation head-on very well. You would be forgiven for thinking this would be a negative development for the yellow metal and, in the longer term, I expect it will be.

But it’s also a development that was almost entirely expected and priced in. So we may be seeing some profit-taking on the pre-meeting moves which is pulling yields a little lower and weighing on the dollar. This should be a short-term relief move, although that may depend on what the omicron data tells us in the coming weeks. It’s spreading like wildfire here in the UK and other countries appear to having a very similar experience.

A strange end to the year for bitcoin

I keep falling into the trap of trying to link moves in bitcoin to events that are triggering responses across financial markets and it’s becoming quite clear how pointless that was. The cryptocurrency has been consolidating for weeks since its flash crash and everything that’s happened in that time that has been the catalyst for volatility across various asset classes has done little to pique the interest of this particular corner of the market. It feels strange to be talking about massive volatility in the markets and not including bitcoin. But then it’s been another strange year and I’m sure 2022 will be no different.

Energy

How Nigeria’s National Power Grid Collapsed Ten Times Within 9 Months 

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The national power grid has again collapsed, leaving many Nigerians in total darkness.

Investors King can authoritatively report that this is the tenth time the power grid will be disrupted this year alone.

For this recent collapse, the grid, reportedly lost power generation around 1:39 pm on Tuesday.

Information revealed that power generation was 2,711 megawatts as of 1:00 pm, having previously peaked at 3,631 MW.

Earlier, power generation peaked at 3,934.77 MW around six o’clock in the morning.

However, between 2 pm and 3 pm, hourly generation dropped to 0.00 MW.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah mentioned that the recent collapse was due to a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Mbah pointed out that data from the National Control Centre revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

TCN however indicated that work work is in progress to restore power.

She explained that engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the “partial disturbance.”

Mbah noted that presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, maintaining that “we are gradually restoring it to other parts of the country.”

She apologized to Nigerians for whatever inconvenience the collapse might have caused.

Findings by Investors King revealed that the grid had collapsed at ten different times between March and November, this year.

Times the grid collapsed included February 4, March 28, April 15, July 16, two times in August 5, October 14, October 15, twice in October 19 and now today, November 5.

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Energy

Darkness Falls Again: TCN Explains Latest National Grid Collapse

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has provided an explanation for the latest National Grid collapse, which occurred on Tuesday, November 5.

Tuesday’s collapse, marking the 10th in 2024 alone, left Nigerians in total darkness.

Recall that the National Grid collapsed twice in October, sparking concerns among Nigerians.

Reacting to the latest collapse via a statement on Tuesday, the General Manager of TCN Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the collapse happened at 1:52 pm.

The GM revealed that the grid collapse was caused by line and generator trippings.

Mrs. Mbah said, “TCN states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm today, 5th November 2024.

“This followed a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

Mbah disclosed that operators are working to restore power in affected states, adding that power was restored in Abuja.

She explained, “TCN engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the partial disturbance. Presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, and we are gradually restoring power to other parts of the country.”

Apologizing to Nigerians, TCN said, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our electricity customers.”

Investors King, in an earlier report, revealed that in an attempt to address the persistent collapse of the national grid, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced that discussions were underway with Independent Operators to take over the management of the grid.

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Energy

Nigeria Partners with ECOWAS and Morocco to Launch $26B African Gas Pipeline

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The Nigerian government, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has announced plans to advance the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project to drive economic growth across Africa.

This development was revealed on Monday, November 5, by Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

Speaking at the meeting, which was attended by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy as well as representatives from Morocco and Mauritania, Kyari stated that, once completed, the project will connect 13 African countries.

Represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas Power & New Energy, Kyari said this will be Africa’s largest pipeline project.

Ogunleye confirmed that progress has been made with the front-end engineering design completed, the phase two study finalized, and work ongoing for environmental and social impact assessments as well as land acquisition and resettlement.

He emphasized NNPC’s readiness to execute the project: “Today, we come together to make significant progress in the African Atlantic gas pipeline project, which is a transformative initiative connecting at least 13 African nations in shared prosperity and development. These achievements underscore our capability to deliver this landmark project, supported by strong regional collaboration.”

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), described the project as a game-changer for the regional economy, stating, “We stand at a critical juncture where these agreements can reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people.”

He also highlighted that the project will increase Africa’s presence in the global gas market, noting that “the agreements demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing hydrocarbon and energy trade across ECOWAS, enhancing access to natural gas in West Africa, and expanding Africa’s global footprint in the gas market.”

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