FIXED INCOME MARKETS
MONEY MARKETS
System liquidity is estimated to have opened in a deficit of -₦622.46 billion. Consequently, the Open Repo Rate (OPR) increased by 29bps to 30.25%, while the Overnight Rate (O/N) rose by 40 bps to 31.08%.
Outlook: We expect interbank rates to cling to its elevated levels tomorrow.
Treasury Bills
The treasury bills market traded slightly bearish today. The quiet session was influenced by market anticipation ahead of tomorrow’s monetary policy committee decisions and Wednesday’s NTB auction. As a result, the market closed relatively flat, with the average mid-rate standing at 19.69%.
Outlook: We expect tomorrow’s session to maintain similar pattern.
FGN Bonds
In a similar fashion, the local FGN bonds market remained quiet throughout today’s trading session, as participants stayed on the sidelines ahead of the MPC meeting. As a result, the market closed relatively flat, with the average mid-yield staying at 18.23%.
Outlook: We anticipate MPC policy decision tomorrow.
Equities
The Nigerian stock market opened on a bearish note, with significant selling pressure on banking stocks. However, towards the end of the session, there was an increase in buying activity, particularly in MTNN (+2.68%). Overall, the All-Share Index rose by 0.05% to close at 98,176.58 points. The year-to-date return and market capitalization settled at 31.30% and ₦55.54 trillion, respectively.
The Banking and Consumer Goods Indices declining by 1.51% and 0.03% respectively, while the Industrial and Oil & Gas Goods Indices remained flat. ACCESSCORP led both the volume and value charts with 201.31 million units and N3.41 billion, respectively.
Outlook: We expect the bearish bias to linger.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) appreciated by ₦28.34 (or 1.89%) to $/₦1,468.99 compared to $/₦1,497.33 recorded last week Friday.
Outlook: We expect volatility to persist.
Eurobonds
Today, the Eurobonds market showed mixed trends, particularly in the African regions. Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt experienced some buying activity in the SSA and North African regions, while Angola saw a bearish trend due to a recent interest rate hike. Overall, the average mid-yield of Nigeria’s curve declined by 5 basis points to close at 9.59%.
Outlook: We expect the Eurobonds market to continue to trend sideways, while potential statements from the members of the Fed’s continues to mould investors’ perspective.
Commodities
Following the death of the Iranian President in a helicopter crash, oil prices saw a slight decrease. Brent oil dropped by 0.33% to $83.70 per barrel, while WTI fell by 0.30% to $79.82 per barrel. Conversely, the price of gold rose by 0.56% to $2,430.90 per ounce at the time of writing.
Outlook: We expect the volatility to persist.
