FIXED INCOME MARKETS
Money Markets
Opening System liquidity increased to c. ₦531.32 billion long, compared with the opening balance of ₦382.74 billion long, recorded yesterday. Nonetheless, the Open Repo Rate (OPR) increased to 11.13%, while the Overnight Rate (O/N) remained the same at 11.50%.
Outlook: We expect the interbank rates to steady at similar levels tomorrow.
Treasury Bills
Ahead of the treasury bills auction, the treasury bills market was mostly quiet, even as offers improved with high rates across the curve. However, following the release of the NTB result where there was a decline in stop rates across all tenors, the 1-year paper saw demand at 7.30% level but eventually traded at sub 7.20%. Thus, average mid-rate yield printed at 5.40%.
Outlook: We expect sustained buyside activity tomorrow due to the decline in stop-rates at the primary market today.
FGN Bonds
The local bonds market traded mixed to bullish today, with most cares skewed to the short and long end of the curve, especially 2026, 2028, 2037 and 2050 papers. The latter witnessed a late rally, with most trades recorded between 15.73% and 15.76%. Although, market exhibited slight caution, as players anticipated the outcome of the MPC meeting (The CBN increased the benchmark interest rate by 50bps to 18.50%). Overall, average yield declined by 22bps to 13.85%.
Outlook: We expect to see a mixed session tomorrow.
Eurobonds
The SSA curve was flooded with bearish sentiment, as sell interests were seen across board. The bearish bias lasted all through today’s session as players anticipates the release of FOMC minutes by the Fed later this evening. Consequently, average yield increased by 9bps to 11.89%.
Noteworthy updates today are UK’s inflation falling to 8.7% year-on-year in April 2023 due to a sharp slowdown in electricity and gas prices, Angola’s removal of $3.5 Billion fuel subsidy and the less impressive growth numbers from Nigeria.
Outlook: We expect tomorrow’s session to be tossed by the FOMC minutes which would be released by 7pm WAT today.
Equities
The Nigerian equity market closed on a bullish note, as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NGX ASI) gained c.0.58% to close at 52,927.60 points, while year-to-date return settled at c 3.27%. Observably, buying interest in ACCESSCORP (0.65%), and UBA (0.30%) drove the positive trend today. The NGX Banking, Industrial Goods, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas Indices all appreciated in value by 1.06%, 0.23%. 2.07% and 2.54% respectively. ACCESSCORP led the volume charts today with c. 69.19 million units, while SEPLAT led the value charts today with c. ₦ 1.84 billion.
Outlook: We expect the market to extend its bullish posture tomorrow.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing (NAFEX) rate appreciated to ₦463.33/US$1.00 from ₦464.42/US$1.00 recorded last week.
Outlook: We expect the NAFEX rate to hover at similar levels tomorrow.
Commodities
Oil prices rose on Wednesday as US oil and fuel supplies tightened and the Saudi energy minister’s warning to speculators boosted the potential of additional OPEC+ output restrictions. As of report time, Brent oil prices appreciated by c. 1.03% to $77.63pb, day-on-day, while WTI appreciated by c 0.36% day-on-day to settle at US$73.78pb. Spot Gold appreciated by c. 0.30% day-on-day to close at US$1,980.40per ounce as of report time.
Outlook: We expect Oil Prices to rise due to supply concerns.
