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Equities Market Declines on Portfolio Re-balancing, Profit Taking

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Nigerian Exchange Limited - Investors King
  • Equities Market Declines on Portfolio Re-balancing, Profit Taking

A combination of profit taking, portfolio re-balancing and disappointing corporate results by some companies last week dampened the bullish sentiments that had prevailed in the equities market. The market, which had an unprecedented bullish run in two months, had ended the first half of the year with a growth of 23.2 per cent.

Although some level of profit takings was envisaged as the second half (H2) began last week, investors’ confidence was also affected by some weaker-than-expected results. Besides, major portfolio investors and fund managers were still busy rebalancing their investments for the remaining part of the year.

Consequently, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ASI went down by 1.99 per cent to close at 32,459.17, while market capitalisation recorded a higher decline of 2.31 per cent to be at N11.187 trillion.

Similarly, all other indices finished lower during the week with the exception of the NSE Insurance and the NSE Industrial Goods Indices that appreciated by 1.10 per cent and 0.22 per cent while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat.

According to analysts at Cordros Capital, the wave of sell-off in the Banking index in the first three trading sessions of the week – with a cumulative loss of 3.73 per cent was driven by reservations concerning the exposure of a syndicate of 13 banks to Etisalat Nigeria, after it was announced that the telecom giant had reconstituted its board with the apex bank mostly in control.

They added that the improved optimism in Dangote Cement was on the back of a favourable first time rating by Moody’s. – wherein Dangote Cement local currency corporate rating received a one-notch rating above the Nigeria’s sovereign rating.

Daily Market Performance

After a bullish outing in the first half of the year, the second half commenced on a bearish last Monday, which was the first trading day of the new half. The market resumed for the week with a decline of 1.05 per cent. Counters such as UBA, GTBank, Zenith Bank, Dangote Cement and FBN Holdings Plc were mainly responsible for the decline recorded.

The value of trading was equally down as investors staked N1.52 billion, on 162.35 million shares compared to N3.35 billion of the previous trading session.

The most actively traded sectors were: Financial Services (128.84 million shares), Conglomerates (11.84 million shares), and Consumer Goods (10.81 million shares), while the three most actively traded stocks were: Access Bank (20.89 million shares), Fidelity Bank (16.03 million shares) and UBA (14.60 million shares).

An analysis of the sectoral performance showed that the NSE Insurance Index was the only lone gainer for the day. It rose by 0.3 per cent as a result of bargain hunting in AIICO (+3.3 per cent) and AXA Mansard (+0.9 per cent).

The NSE Oil & Gas Index led the losers chart, shedding 1.8 per cent on account of Mobil (-5.0 per cent), Total (-5.0 per cent) and Conoil (-4.9 per cent). The NSE Banking Index trailed, losing 1.1 per cent following declines in GTBank (-1.1 per cent) and Zenith Bank (-1.8 per cent), while the NSE Industrial Goods Index and the NSE Consumer Goods Index closed 0.6 per cent and 0.3 per cent lower respectively.

The equities market remained bearish on Tuesday with the NSE Index declining 1.1 per cent to close at 32,410.20. The downward trend was influenced by price decline in Nigerian Breweries (-1.9 per cent), UBA (-5.8 per cent), GTBank (-1.3 per cent), ETI (-4.9 per cent), Stanbic IBTC (-3.0 per cent), FBN Holdings (-3.4 per cent) and Access Bank (-2.3 per cent).

Unlike on Monday when the NSE Insurance Index was the lone gainer, the NSE Industrial Goods Index was the only gainer on Tuesday. It rose marginally by 0.01 per cent.

The NSE Banking Index depreciated the most, sliding by 2.3 per cent as investors continue to take profit in Tier-1 and Tier-2 lenders. The NSE Consumer Goods Index followed with a decline of 1.2 per cent decline, while the NSE Oil & Gas Index trailed with a 1.1 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index shed 0.11 per cent.

The market extended its loss on Wednesday. The index dipped by 0.33 per cent to close at 32,302.32 following depreciation recorded in the share prices of Guinness, PZ Cussons, Flour Mills, Unilever and Access Bank among others.

However, value of trading rose as investors exchanged 311.38 million shares valued at N2.97 billion, up from N1.70 billion invested the previous day.

The most actively traded sectors were: Financial Services (250.52 million shares), Conglomerates (31.29 million shares), and Consumer Goods (11.85 million shares), while the three most actively traded stocks were: Niger Insurance (62.90 million shares), FBN Holdings (30.45 million shares) and Transcorp (30.23 million shares).

The market rebounded on Thursday with the index appreciating by 0.16 per cent to close at 32,354.78 . The influencers were: Dangote Cement, Seplat, Access Bank, FBNH and Zenith Bank among others. Investors traded 168.51 million shares worth N3.63 billion with Financial Services leading after recording 105.61 million shares. The Conglomerates sector followed with 22.47 million shares), and Consumer Goods (10.53 million shares).

The three most actively traded stocks were: GTBank (36.32 million shares), Transcorp (21.31 million shares) and FBN Holdings (16.09 million shares).

The market remained bullish on Friday as the index rose by 0.32 per cent to close higher at 32, 459.17 on gains by Dangote Cement, Seplat, Access Bank, FBN Holding, and Zenith Bank among others.

The total value of stocks traded was N2.47 billion, down by 31.79 per cent from N3.63bn recorded the previous day. The total volume of stocks traded was 212.38mn in 3,217 deals. The three most actively traded stocks were: Zenith Bank (73.31 million shares), Transcorp (18.38 million shares) and Sterling Bank (15.26 million shares), while the most actively traded sectors were: Financial Services (162.29 million shares), Conglomerates (18.61 million shares), and Consumer Goods (16.52million shares).

Market Turnover

In all, investors traded 1.061 billion shares worth N12.295 billion in 18,847 deals, compared with 1.171 billion shares valued at N11.458 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 13,763 deals.

The Financial Services Industry remained that most active with 802.195 million shares valued at N7.331 billion traded in 11,334 deals, thus contributing 75.62 per cent and 59.63 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 109.378 million shares worth N174.604 million in 1,024 deals. The third place was occupied by Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 62.992 million shares worth N2.405 billion in 3,021deals.

Trading in the top three stocks, Zenith International Bank Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc and FBN Holdings Plc, accounted for 317.099 million shares worth N3.223 billion in 3,823 deals.

Also traded during the week were a total of five units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N484.85 executed in one deal compared with a total of 869,680 units valued at N19.150 million transacted the previous week in 16 deals.

Similarly, a total of 358 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N344,610.97 were traded last week in seven deals, compared with a total of seven units valued at N16,486.85 transacted two weeks in one deal.

Price Gainers and Losers

Meanwhile, only 16 stocks appreciated last week compared with 40 of the previous week, while 51 equities depreciated as against 28 of the preceding week.

Cutix Plc led the price gainers, chalking up 10.0 per cent, trailed by Continental Reinsurance Plc which appreciated by 9.2 per cent. Honeywell Flour Mills Plc garnered 7.9 per cent, just as CAP Plc and Oando Plc appreciated by 6.2 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively.

Abbey Building Mortgage Bank Plc and AXA Mansard Plc gained 4.0 per cent and 3.6 per cent in that order, just as Redstar Express Plc closed 3.5 per cent higher. The remaining two price gainers that made up the top 10 were: African Prudential Plc and First Aluminium Plc (3.4 per cent each).

Conversely, May & Baker Nigeria Plc led the price losers, shedding 25.7 per cent, trailed by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc with 24.4 per cent.

Conoil Plc and Flour Mills went down by 18.5 per cent and 15.6 per cent respectively, just as Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc shed 14.2 per cent and 13.2 per cent in that order.

Other top price losers included: ETI (11.3 per cent); Cadbury Nigeria Plc (10.7 per cent); Linkage Assurance Plc (9.3 per cent) and Unity Bank Plc (8.9 per cent).

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Banking Sector

Fidelity Bank Records a 120.1% Growth in PBT to N39.5bn in Q1 2024

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Fidelity Bank MD - Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe

In line with its upward growth trajectory, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has posted an impressive 120.1% growth in Profit Before Tax from N17.9bn at the end of Q1 2023 to N39.5bn for Q1 2024.

This was made known in the Bank’s unaudited financial statements released on the issuer portal of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

According to the statement, Gross Earnings increased by 89.9% yoy to N192.1bn from N101.1bn in Q1 2023. The increase was led by a combination of interest income (90.7% yoy) and non-interest income (84.0% yoy).

Growth in interest income was primarily spurred by a higher yield environment and strong earning assets base, while the increase in non-interest income was led by double-digit growth in account maintenance charges, FX-related income, trade, banking services, and remittances, supported by increased customer transactions.

Commenting on the results, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial performance driven by our strategic focus on customer-centricity, digital innovation and operational excellence. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, we remained resilient and agile, delivering double-digit growth on key income lines while advancing our business sustainability agenda.”

In the period under review, the bank grew Net interest income grew by 89.5% yoy to N99.6bn from N52.6bn in Q1 2023, driven by interest and similar income as the yield on financial instruments improved to 14.7% from 10.1% in Q1 2023 (2023FY: 11.6%).

In line with the steady rise in interest rates through the year, average funding cost increased by 80bps ytd to 5.2%. However, NIM came in at 8.8% compared to 8.1% in 2023FY, as increased yield on earning assets surpassed funding cost to 15.1% from 13.3% in Q1 2023 (2023FY: 13.5%).

Similarly, Total Deposits increased by 17.2% ytd to N4.7tn from N4.0tn in 2023FY, driven by double-digit growth across all deposit types (demand, savings and term). Net Loans and Advances increased by 21.2% to N3.7tn from N3.1tn in 2023FY.

“Beginning the year on this inspiring note reaffirms our strategy of helping individuals to grow, inspiring businesses to thrive and empowering economies to prosper. We are committed to our guidance as we build a more resilient business franchise with a well-diversified earnings base in 2024,” explained Onyeali-Ikpe.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8.5 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.

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Banking Sector

FCMB Group’s Digital Transformation Drives 62.4% Increase in Revenue

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FCMB - Investors King

FCMB Group Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has reported a surge in its digital revenue for the 2023 financial year.

According to the 2023 audited financial results filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, FCMB Group’s digital revenue increased by 62.4% in digital revenue to N60.3 billion from N37.1 billion in the previous year.

With a strategic focus on digitalization, the group has successfully expanded its digital offerings, resulting in a significant uptick in revenue derived from digital channels.

In its 2023 financial report, FCMB Group highlighted the strides made in digital retail lending with over 1.6 million loans totaling N100.9 billion accessed, underwritten, and disbursed through digital channels.

Similarly, digital SME lending witnessed significant traction, with over 20,500 loans totaling N177.9 billion disbursed via digital platforms.

The group’s digital wealth propositions also experienced robust growth, with assets under management reaching N15.1 billion, reflecting a substantial increase from N8.5 billion in 2022.

The surge in digital revenue was attributed to the successful execution of FCMB Group’s digital strategy, which prioritizes innovation, customer-centricity, and operational excellence.

By embracing digital payments, wealth management, and lending solutions, FCMB Group has empowered a greater number of customers while driving revenue growth and operational efficiency.

Commenting on the financial performance, FCMB Group highlighted the reduction of its cost-to-income ratio to 66.3%, excluding revaluation gain (48.9% inclusive of revaluation income).

This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the group’s digital initiatives in optimizing costs and enhancing operational efficiency.

The robust financial performance was further underscored by FCMB Group’s profit before tax, which surged to N104.4 billion in 2023, indicating a remarkable 186% year-on-year growth.

Various divisions of the group, including banking, consumer finance, investment management, and investment banking, recorded robust earnings growth, reflecting the overall strength and resilience of the group.

Furthermore, FCMB Group’s gross revenue rose by 82.5% to N516.4 billion from N283 billion, driven by a 61.7% growth in interest income and a 154.4% growth in non-interest income.

Net interest income grew by 44.8%, propelled by an increase in the yield on earning assets.

In addition to its financial achievements, FCMB Group underscored its commitment to environmental sustainability by transitioning 160 branches to solar power, with 78% of its business locations now powered by renewable energy.

The group also secured funding of up to N13 billion from local development finance institutions to support customers in accessing solar energy solutions.

Looking ahead, FCMB Group reiterated its commitment to leveraging its unique group structure to build a technology-driven ecosystem that fosters inclusive and sustainable growth.

With a focus on continued innovation and digitization, FCMB Group is poised to sustain its growth trajectory and deliver value to its customers, shareholders, and communities across Nigeria.

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Banking Sector

Ecobank’s Profit After Tax Grows to $407m in 2023

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Ecobank - Investors King

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has reported a $407 million profit after tax for the 2023 financial year.

This represents an 11% increase from the $367 million reported for the year 2022 and reflects the pan-African banking group’s continued growth trajectory amidst challenging economic conditions.

The financial results, filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday, showcased Ecobank’s robust performance despite the headwinds posed by higher inflation, interest rates, and currency depreciation across Africa.

The group’s profit before tax also rose by 8% or 34% when adjusted for foreign currency translation effects to $581 million.

According to Ecobank, the growth in profit was primarily driven by revenue outpacing expense growth, resulting in positive operating leverage.

The group’s pre-provision, pre-tax operating profit hit $951 million in the year under review, representing a 17% increase from the previous year.

Commenting on the financial results, Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, acknowledged the challenges faced by households, businesses, and governments across Africa in 2023.

Despite the economic uncertainties, Awori declared Ecobank’s unwavering commitment to its customers and stakeholders.

Awori stated, “Ecobank generated a return on tangible shareholders’ equity of 24.9% despite the challenging operating environment in 2023.”

Net revenue exceeded $2.0 billion for the first time since 2015, reaching $2.1 billion, underscoring the efficacy of Ecobank’s 5-year growth, Transformation, and Returns strategy.

The CEO attributed Ecobank’s encouraging results to its customer-centric approach and initiatives aimed at revenue diversification, growth, and low-cost deposit mobilization.

The consumer and commercial banking businesses witnessed an increase in their share of group-wide revenues and profits, indicating progress in strategic objectives.

However, amidst the overall positive performance, Ecobank’s Nigerian operations faced challenges, with profit before tax declining to $27 million in 2023 from $31 million in 2022, representing a 15% decrease.

The challenging operating environment in Nigeria, characterized by high inflation and currency depreciation, impacted the performance of the Nigerian segment.

Looking ahead, Ecobank remains committed to its strategic agenda, which emphasizes technology-driven innovation, revenue diversification, and cost management.

The group’s focus on disciplined cost management aims to redirect savings into investments in marketing, sales capabilities, and technology, driving sustainable returns in the future.

As shareholders approved a N10 billion rights issue, Ecobank is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate evolving market dynamics.

With a resilient performance in 2023, Ecobank reaffirms its commitment to driving growth, delivering value to shareholders, and advancing financial inclusion across Africa.

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