Nigerian stocks commenced the week on a positive note as the Exchange gained 0.17% in Monday’s trading session, with the banking sector spearheading the market rally.

The positive close pushed this year’s return to date to 33.34%, one of the highest in the world at the moment.

Analysts attributed the market’s positive momentum to increased investor interest in banking, insurance and industrial goods stocks.

This surge in buying activity follows recent widespread selloffs in the banking sector, presenting attractive opportunities for bargain hunters.

According to Vetiva Research analysts, the banking space witnessed significant bargain-hunting activity, indicating renewed confidence in the sector after previous weeks of sell-offs.

This sentiment propelled the overall market performance, with expectations of mixed trading sessions in the coming days as first-quarter earnings reports start to trickle in.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and Market Capitalization reflected the market’s upward trajectory, appreciating from 99,539.75 points and N56.296 trillion respectively to 99,665.05 points and N56.367 trillion.

In total, investors exchanged 306,620,144 shares worth N5.300 billion in 8,298 deals.

Despite the positive market sentiment, analysts from Lagos-based United Capital Research cautioned that activities in the fixed income market could continue to deter equities investments.

However, they highlighted the potential for bargain-hunting activities, particularly in the banking sector, amidst the recent bearish trend.

Overall, the Nigerian equities market’s resilient performance underscores investor confidence and optimism, driven by strategic sectoral investments and expectations of improved corporate earnings.

Nigeria’s stock market closed the trading week ended Friday, April 12, with a decline of 1.09% following a downturn influenced by notable drops in the banking, insurance, and consumer goods sectors.

This shift resulted in a loss of about N638 billion for investors during the two-day trading week, which was shortened due to public holidays for Eid Mubarak.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited’s (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) decreased from an opening high of 103,437.67 points to 102,314.56 points.

Meanwhile, market capitalization also dropped from N58.498 trillion to N57.860 trillion over the review period.

The market’s month-to-date (MtD) performance fell by 2.15%, and the year-to-date (YtD) return is now at 36.83%.

Futureview research analysts had previously forecasted a mixed performance in the equities market as investors adjusted their positions in anticipation of upcoming corporate actions and dividend payouts.

The analysts also predicted a possible shift in focus towards the fixed income market, which could influence short-term investment decisions.

While the market faced challenges this week, analysts expect a resurgence of buying interest driven by upcoming corporate actions and earnings reports, attracting investors looking to benefit from dividend payments.

Their recommendation to investors is to consider investing in high-quality stocks with strong fundamentals for potential returns.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has listed VFD Group Plc’s Rights Issue on its Daily Official List.

The move follows the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and represents a crucial step in the company’s growth trajectory.

The Rights Issue comprises 63,342,455 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each priced at N197.33 per share, bringing the total value of the issue to N12.499 billion. With this listing, VFD Group Plc’s total issued and fully paid-up shares have surged from 190,027,365 to 253,369,820 ordinary shares.

According to a report by NGX, the additional shares listed arose from VFD’s Rights Issue on the basis of one ordinary share for every three ordinary shares held as of October 12, 2023.

This move underscores VFD Group Plc’s commitment to expanding its shareholder base and enhancing liquidity in the market.

The approval by SEC for the Rights Issue further solidifies VFD Group Plc’s position in the market. Gbeminiyi Shoda, the Group Company Secretary of VFD Group Plc, confirmed that the Qualification Date for the Rights Issue was October 12, 2023, with the application list opening on December 20, 2023, for a maximum period of 31 days.

VFD Group Plc’s Rights Issue comes on the heels of its recent listing on the Main Board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The listing of 190 million units of shares at N244.88 per share added N46.527 billion to NGX’s market capitalization, reflecting the company’s growing influence in the Nigerian capital market.

VFD Group Plc, known for its sector-agnostic proprietary investment approach, aims to create positive and socially conscious ecosystems by aggregating potentially viable businesses. The Rights Issue listing underscores the company’s strategic move to increase visibility, access capital, and enhance liquidity, ultimately benefiting its investors and stakeholders.

Investors and market analysts are closely watching the developments surrounding VFD Group Plc as it continues to expand its footprint in the Nigerian financial landscape. With the successful listing of its Rights Issue on NGX, the company is poised for further growth and value creation in the market.