Capital Market

Commercial Paper Quotations Surge on FMDQ Exchange, Reaching N669.36bn in Q1 2023

Published

12 months ago

May 22, 2023

The FMDQ Exchange, Nigeria’s foremost debt capital market, has reported a remarkable increase in the value of quoted commercial papers (CPs) during the first quarter of 2023.

The total outstanding value of CPs rose to an impressive N669.36bn at the end of the same period, indicating a significant boost to the country’s financial market.

The monthly reports from the FMDQ Exchange reveal a sustained upward trend in the quotations of commercial papers since the beginning of the year. These quoted CPs were issued by institutions across diverse sectors, including real estate, financial services, manufacturing, agriculture, and health.

In February 2023, the total value of CPs quoted on the FMDQ Exchange stood at N101.84bn, representing a month-on-month increase of 22.40% (N18.64bn) compared to January 2023. The sectors contributing to these quoted CPs included financial services, real estate, manufacturing, construction, and more.

The upward trajectory continued in March 2023, with the total value of CPs quoted on the FMDQ Exchange reaching a staggering N354.18bn. This figure reflected a substantial month-on-month increase of 247.80% (N252.34bn) from the previous month. Manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, real estate, telecommunications, commodities trading, and general commerce were the sectors responsible for issuing quoted CPs.

The surge in commercial paper quotations resulted in a remarkable 82.76% month-on-month increase (N303.11bn) in the total outstanding value of CPs, reaching N669.36bn. It is worth noting that CPs worth N113.10bn matured and were redeemed in January 2023.

Comparing the data with previous months, the figures for the first three months of 2023 far exceeded the preceding seven months, which saw quoted CPs below N80bn.

Commenting on this trend, Johnson Chukwu, the Chief Executive Officer at Cowry Asset Management Limited, emphasized that the high interest rates and the ease of issuing commercial papers were driving companies to seek funding in the money market. Chukwu explained that during periods of high-interest rates, borrowers prefer short-term debts to avoid being locked into long-term obligations.

Furthermore, Chukwu highlighted that commercial papers offer companies a cost-effective alternative to borrowing from banks. By accessing the commercial paper market directly, borrowers can tap into lower borrowing costs compared to the fees associated with bank loans.

Okiki Oladipo, an analyst at Parthian Partners, pointed out that the current low yield in the money market is attracting businesses to engage in this segment. However, there are expectations of a rise in yields, which could impact the sustainability of this funding strategy. Oladipo emphasized that a borrower’s financial health and the trajectory of market yields play pivotal roles in determining the long-term viability of the strategy.

The surge in commercial paper quotations on the FMDQ Exchange underscores the growing significance of this financial instrument in Nigeria’s capital market. As more companies turn to commercial papers for funding, it is expected to stimulate economic growth and provide additional opportunities for investors in the country.

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Samed Olukoya

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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Capital Market

Stanbic IBTC Holdings to Raise N550bn Through Debt Issuance, Rights Issue

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Stanbic IBTC Holdings, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, is set to raise a total of N550 billion through a combination of debt issuance and a rights issue.

This ambitious move comes amidst the backdrop of regulatory changes and the need for financial institutions to bolster their capital bases to meet new requirements set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The announcement was made in a notice of the company’s annual general meeting filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

According to the disclosure, Stanbic IBTC Holdings plans to establish a debt issuance program with a capacity of up to N400 billion.

This program will enable the company to issue various forms of debt securities, including senior unsecured or secured, subordinated, convertible, preferred, equity-linked, or other forms of debt obligations.

Also, the board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings is seeking shareholder approval to raise additional equity capital of up to N150 billion through a rights issue or offer for subscription.

Shareholders will also vote on increasing the company’s issued and paid-up share capital to accommodate the proposed capital raise.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings has been a key player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, with a strong track record of performance and a diverse range of financial services.

The proposed capital raise is expected to provide the company with the necessary resources to pursue growth opportunities, enhance its market position, and continue delivering value to shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Capital Market

Nigerian Breweries to Raise N600 Billion to Tackle Foreign Exchange Debt

Published

2 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewery in Nigeria, has announced plans to N600 billion through a rights issue, with the primary objective of clearing its N500 billion foreign exchange debt burden.

This initiative was unveiled by Uaboi Agbebaku, the company’s secretary and legal director, during a pre-annual general meeting press conference held in Lagos.

Agbebaku stated that Nigerian Breweries is committed to implementing a comprehensive company-wide reorganization strategy to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for all stakeholders.

“The additional capital raised via rights issue will be utilized to settle all overdue foreign exchange debts and payables, effectively eliminating foreign exchange exposure,” Agbebaku explained.

He further highlighted the importance of strengthening the company’s balance sheet and liquidity position to restore profitability in the shortest possible time frame.

Hans Essaadi, the managing director and CEO of Nigerian Breweries, echoed Agbebaku’s sentiments, acknowledging the challenging operating environment characterized by factors such as double-digit inflation rates, currency devaluation, and foreign exchange challenges.

Essaadi emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to mitigate their adverse impact on the company’s financial performance.

To achieve its objectives, Nigerian Breweries intends to leverage the support of its majority shareholder, Heineken Plc, which has committed to contributing over 50 percent of the N600 billion fundraising target.

This partnership underscores the strategic importance of the rights issue in revitalizing Nigerian Breweries’ financial health and positioning it for sustainable growth.

As part of its broader business restructuring efforts, Nigerian Breweries had previously announced plans to temporarily suspend operations at two of its nine breweries.

Sade Morgan, the director of corporate affairs at Nigerian Breweries, explained that the company is committed to executing its 2024 business recovery plan, which comprises cost management, operational optimization, and portfolio innovation.

“Our strategy for success in 2024 revolves around strong cost management, operational efficiency, and the introduction of exciting innovations to delight our customers,” Morgan stated.

“We remain dedicated to our employees, communities, and stakeholders as we navigate through these challenging times.”

With the proposed rights issue, Nigerian Breweries aims to not only alleviate its foreign exchange debt burden but also to fortify its financial resilience and drive sustainable growth in the dynamic Nigerian market.

Capital Market

Royal Exchange Plc Rights Issue Falls Short, Closes at 75.83%”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 15, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Royal Exchange Plc, a leading player in life assurance, health insurance, and credit financing, recently concluded its rights issue with a subscription rate of 75.83%, indicating a shortfall in investor uptake.

The rights issue aimed at raising capital through the issuance of additional ordinary shares saw only a portion of the offered shares subscribed by existing shareholders.

According to the weekly report of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, an additional 3,121,328,866 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each were listed on the market, resulting from the completion of Royal Exchange’s rights issue.

This falls short of the total intended issuance of 4,116,296,059 ordinary shares at a price of N0.50 per share.

Despite the lower-than-expected subscription rate, Royal Exchange remains optimistic about its future prospects.

The company’s unaudited 2023 report revealed significant growth in earned income, soaring by 253% to N882.32 million compared to the previous year.

This boost in earnings was attributed to increases in net interest income and profits from investments in associates, totaling N591.55 million.

Also, Royal Exchange reported a profit of N46.09 million for the year 2023, a stark turnaround from the loss of N150.47 million recorded in 2022.

The company’s restructuring efforts, with a focus on asset management, have contributed to its improved financial performance.

Despite the shortfall in its rights issue, Royal Exchange Plc remains committed to its growth trajectory, leveraging its strengthened financial position to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the insurance and financial services sectors.