FIXED INCOME MARKETS
MONEY MARKETS
Opening system liquidity surged into positive territory, reaching c.₦125.87 billion from yesterday’s reported deficit of around -₦351.51 billion. Consequently, the Open Repo Rate witnessed a decrease of 247 bps, ending at 27.89%, while the Overnight Rate decreased by 170 bps, settling at 28.76%.
Outlook: We expect the interbank rates close higher tomorrow, as the FGN Bond auction funding should absorb liquidity from the system.
Treasury Bills
Activity in the treasury bills market saw heightened activity driven by buying interest across various papers, notably the medium and long-dated ones. To quantify, the average mid-rate experienced a decrease of 44 bps, settling at 15.50%.
Outlook: We expect the bullish bias to ease tomorrow.
FGN Bonds
The FGN local bonds market witnessed yields retracing higher, influenced by the outcome of yesterday’s bond auction where stop rates closed notably higher. Consequently, selling interests were prevalent across the curve, leading to a bearish market close, with the average mid-yield expanding by c.77 bps to 18.63%.
Outlook: We expect a bearish bias posture to linger tomorrow
Eurobonds
Activity in the African Eurobonds market displayed a mixed trend today. To elaborate, the bearish sentiment subsided amid selective trading. The SSA curve concluded on a bullish note, except for Ghana curve, which experienced a slight bearish trend. Meanwhile, Egypt sustained its bullish momentum. Overall, Nigerian Eurobonds ended on a bullish note, with the average mid-yield decreasing by 11 bps to settle at 9.94%.
Outlook: We expect a cautious activity tomorrow, as market anticipate the Fed’s speech at around 7pm Nigerian Time.
Equities
The Nigerian equity market witnessed a bearish session today, primarily driven by profit-taking on JBERGER (-4.96%), FIDELITYBK (-4.29%), and TRANSCORP (-3.63%). However, significant bargain hunting was observed on FBNH (+9.06%). By the end of trading, the All-Share Index experienced a slight decline of 0.11%, settling at 104,553.31 points. The year-to-date return and market capitalization stood at 39.83% and ₦59.11 trillion, respectively.
Trading activity exhibited mixed trends, with total volume traded recording a 6.82% increase, while total value traded declined by 29.69%. Notably, FBNH emerged as the leader in both volume and value, with 37.81 million units and ₦1.57 billion, respectively. All Indices closed bullish; Banking (+1.07%), Industrial (+0.12%), Consumer Goods (+0.16%), and Oil & Gas (+0.04%).
Outlook: We expect the bullish sentiment linger in the interim.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) appreciated by 0.78% (or ₦12.29) to $/₦1,560.57 from $/₦1,572.86 recorded yesterday.
Outlook: We expect the volatility to persist.
Commodities
Oil prices was bullish, partly influenced by Opec+ production cuts and the fluctuating demand from China. As of writing time, the brent crude increased by 1.23% to $87.31 p/b, while the WIT soared by 1.44% to 83.28%. The price of Gold declined to 2,154.90 on stronger dollar as investors strap in for Fed meeting ounce during today’s session.
Outlook: We expect oil prices to remain elevated.
