FIXED INCOME MARKETS
Money Market
Opening system stayed in the negative region today at -₦50.01 billion from -₦95.58 billion recorded last Friday. However, the Open Repo Rate (OPR) and the Overnight Rate (O/N) contracted by 125bps and 125bps to 21.00%, and 22.00%, respectively.
Outlook: We expect the elevated interbank rates to linger, as liquidity remains frail.
Treasury Bills
The treasury bills market was moderately stirred in today’s session, partly due to market illiquidity and less selling interests. Accordingly, the average mid-rate flattened at 8.18%.
Outlook: We expect a similar activity in tomorrow’s session.
FGN Bonds
The local bonds closed today’s session slightly bullish, as average mid-yield rate declined marginally by 1bp to settle at 14.93%. To expound, activity was jolted mostly around the on-the-run papers, particularly the 2053 paper.
Outlook: We expect market to trade sideways in the mid-term.
Eurobonds
After an extended bullish rally on the back of anticipated Fed’s policy pivot, the Eurobond market was relaxed in today’s session, while posting a quietly mixed sentiment as observed across the African curves. This followed the statement from Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President over the weekend, hinting that the declaration of victory over inflation rate is too early, and adding that rate cut would be hinged on prevailing inflation data. Overall, average mid-yield fell slightly by 1bp to settle at 9.75%.
Outlook: We expect the current sentiment to persist.
Equities
The Nigerian bourse expressed a mixed sentiment among bellwether tickers. Nonetheless, the ASI closed the session bullish, with +0.02% to settle at 72,404.91 points, while the YTD performance settled at 41.27%, contributing to a total market capitalization of approximately ₦39.62 trillion. Trading activity was mixed, as total volume increased by 5.57%, while total value traded fell by 33.03%.
Further, the total volume and value traded were led by MBENEFIT with 77.25 million units and UBA with ₦689.91 billion. The Banking, Industrial and Oil & Gas Indices appreciated by 0.07%, 0.03%, and 0.09%, respectively, while the consumer goods sector declined by 0.03%.
Outlook: We the bullish bias to ease tomorrow.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) appreciated by 0.17% (or ₦1.51) to $/₦888.35 from $/₦889.86 recorded last Friday.
Outlook: The volatility is expected to persist in the interim.
Commodities
Oil rose more than 2% today as attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea raised concerns of oil supply disruptions, although ample supply and skepticism around Russia’s plan to cut exports in December limited gains. Brent crude was reported at $78.69 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at $73.47 per barrel, as at printing time. Gold prices edged upward due to softer dollar, while focus has now turned to key U.S. inflation data seeking additional signals on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path after its recent dovish tilt. Thus, Gold prices increased to $2,036.60 per ounce from the previous day, as of printing time.
Outlook: We expect oil prices to remain volatile in the interim.
