Nigerian Exchange Limited

Nigerian Equities Dip Amid Nationwide Youth Protests Against Bad Governance

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2024

Nigerian Exchange Limited - Investors King

Nigeria’s equities market opened the new month on a downturn, experiencing its highest daily decline in a week marred by nationwide protests.

On Thursday, the market recorded a 0.42 percent decrease at the close of the trading session, the fourth consecutive day of declines.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index and market capitalization fell to 97,359.76 points and N55.278 trillion, respectively, down from the previous day’s highs of 97,774.22 points and N55.513 trillion.

The drop in market performance coincided with the first day of a 10-day protest organized by Nigerian youths, who took to the streets across major cities to voice their grievances against bad governance and widespread hunger.

The protests, planned well in advance, have seen significant participation, underscoring the deep-seated frustrations among the nation’s populace.

Shares of several major companies were hit hard. Oando Plc saw its share price drop from N25 to N23, a loss of N2 or 8 percent. Dangote Sugar Refinery also experienced a significant decline, falling from N37.15 to N34.30, a decrease of N2.85 or 7.67 percent.

Ahead of Thursday’s trading, financial research firms had issued warnings to their clients. Lagos-based Meristem research informed its clients that due to the anticipated nationwide protest, all their offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja would remain closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

“We will closely monitor the situation and provide further communication depending on the developments of the protest,” the firm stated.

Despite the closures and disruptions, trading continued, with shares of Fidelity Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, Oando, and Access Holdings being actively traded. Investors in 6,821 deals exchanged 565,116,303 shares worth N8.530 billion.

Analysts from Vetiva Research had forecasted a subdued market sentiment, stating, “Barring a significant shift in the local capital markets environment that would benefit the equity space, we anticipate a flat to negative tilt in market sentiment on the back of this.”

The ongoing protests, which began on Thursday, August 1, have highlighted the urgent issues facing Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The youth-led demonstrations reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of governance and the economic hardships that many Nigerians face daily.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Nigerian Exchange Limited

Stock Investors Gain N131 Billion on Tuesday

Published

12 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Nigeria’s equities market opened the holiday-shortened trading week in green as investors bought banking and consumer goods stocks despite record profit taking in insurance, industrial, oil & gas stocks.

“Looking forward, the equities market is expected to retain its buy interest as investors cherry-pick undervalued stocks. However, given the sentiment that rates might have peaked in the fixed income and money markets and investors locking in on current rates, we expect some bearish undertone to persist in the equities market,” according to United Capital research analysts.

The analysts said the bulls “will remain incentivised to persist in bargain hunting, given the tremendous mid-long-term opportunities in the equities market. Fund managers and businesses may begin to entertain mid-long-term (≥6 months) investment objectives, cherry-picking only sound equities with strong fundamentals and ongoing corporate actions. This strategy will maximise market opportunities, thereby optimising portfolio returns”.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and equities market capitalisation appreciated by 0.23 percent and N131billion from preceding day’s 97,456.62 points and N56.002 trillion respectively to 97,685.63 points and N56.133 trillion.

The market’s year-to-date (YtD) return rose to 30.64 percent.

According to Meristem research analysts, “While we expect subdued participation in the Nigerian equities market this week, we anticipate that buying activity will outweigh profit-taking. Our outlook is hinged on the belief that no major negative catalysts are expected to shift market direction this week. We anticipate that investors will continue selective buying, seeking opportunities across various sectors.

“Additionally, macroeconomic developments and corporate actions from companies could stimulate moderate buying interest in the market. We also do not foresee a significant shift towards the fixed-income market as yields have started to stabilize. However, we acknowledge the potential for profit-taking as short-term investors may look to capitalize on recent gains. Overall, we expect the market to close in the green zone this week,” Meristem analysts said.

Nigerian Exchange Limited

Nigeria’s Equities Market Gains 0.32% Boosted by Nestle, Flourmills, and FBN Holdings

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2024

Investors King

Nigeria’s equities market rose by 0.32 percent or N178billion on Thursday, thanks to Nestle, Flourmills and FBN Holdings that led the league of major advancers on the Lagos Bourse.

FBN Holdings increased from N24 to N26.40, adding N2.40 or 10percent. Caverton rose from N2.10 to N2.31, up by 21kobo or 10percent.

Flour Mills moved from N45.05 to N49.55, up by N4.50 or 9.99percent. RT Briscoe increased from N3.02 to N3.32, down by 30kobo or 9.93 percent, while Nestle rallied from N810 to N890, N80 or 9.88percent.

At the close of trading, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All Share Index (ASI) and equities market capitalisation increased from 96,715.04 points and N55.575 trillion respectively to 97,025.17 points and N55.753 trillion.

Access Holdings, FBN Holding, UBA, Caverton and Zenith Bank shares were most trading stocks. In 9,615 deals, investors exchanged 390,546,861 shares valued at N7.974billion.

Ahead of Thursday’s trading, analysts said broader market sentiment will remain balanced, with risk-averse investors maintaining a cautious stance ahead of any major corporate earnings announcements.

Nigerian Exchange Limited

Nigerian Exchange Recovers from Early Week Losses, Market Value Hits N55.6 Trillion

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) rebounded on Tuesday after opening the week in the red.

The NGX All-Share Index appreciated by 0.62 percent to 96,802.8 points while the market value of listed equities stood at N55.626 trillion.

Investors traded 406,194,548 shares valued at N13.313 billion in 12,241 transactions during Tuesday’s trading session.

Investors continued to show interest in Oando, which emerged as the most traded equity in both volume and value.

A total of 58,485,705 shares worth N5.521 billion were exchanged, with Oando’s stock appreciating by N6, or 6.7 percent, from N89.5 to N95.5 per share.

The second most traded stock on Tuesday was Access Holdings Plc with 30,379,481 shares valued at N557.65 million transacted.

However, Access Holdings’ shares lost 55 kobo, or 2.96 percent, declining from N18.95 to N18 per share.

The Exchange’s year-to-date (YtD) return improved to 29.46 percent.

SFS REIT led the gainers’ chart, increasing by N14.80, or 9.98 percent, from N148.35 to N163.15 per share. This was followed by Custodian Investment, which gained N1.10, or 8.87 percent, rising from N12.40 to N13.50, while RT Briscoe moved from N2.82 to N3.10 per share.