FIXED INCOME MARKETS
Money Markets
Opening System liquidity fell to c.₦34.77billion long, compared with the opening balance of ₦69.83 billion recorded yesterday. Consequently, the Open Repo Rate (OPR) and Overnight Rate (O/N) both increased by 25bps to 13.38% and 14.13% respectively.
Outlook: We expect the interbank rates to expand tomorrow, as the bond auction settlement should stifle system liquidity.
Treasury Bills
The treasury bills market delved into a quiet session today, albeit few selling interests were recorded on CBN Special bills (7 and 21 August 2023 papers) and long dated NTBs (especially 09 May 2024). Thus, the average mid-rate settled at 6.23%.
Outlook: We expect a similar occurrence tomorrow, barring any strong driver.
FGN Bonds
Activity in the local bonds market was mixed today. While buying interests occasionally scouted for papers like the 2028 and 2049, we also saw sideways interests mostly on the 2050 paper. Average yield inched up slightly by 1bp to 14.16%.
Outlook: We expect to see the same trajectory in tomorrow’s session.
Eurobonds
In the SSA Eurobonds market, Ghana continued to trend bullish on IMF loan approval. However, other peers started off today’s session bearish but eased some of its losses with some buying interests towards the end of the session, as U.S retail sales data printed lower-than-expected. This suggests a slower consumer spending and possibly reduced inflationary pressures. As a result, this led the average yield to fall by only 1bp to settle at 12.47%.
Outlook: We expect tomorrow’s session to post a mixed performance.
Equities
The Nigerian equity market closed on a bullish note today, as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NGX ASI) appreciated by c.0.36% to close at 52,419.33 points, while year-to-date return settled at c 2.28%. Observably, buying interest in NB (9.97%), TRANSCORP (7.75%) and, GTCO (4.15%) drove the upward trend recorded today. The NGX Banking, Industrial and Consumer Goods Indices appreciated in value today by 1.10%, 0.06% and 0.85%, respectively. However, the NGX Oil & Gas Index depreciated in value by 0.72%. UBA led the volume charts with c. 94.31 million units while ZENITHBANK led the value charts with c. ₦ 1.41 billion.
Outlook: We expect the bullish sentiment to extend into tomorrow’s session.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing (NAFEX) rate depreciated to ₦464.67/US$1.00 from ₦464.00/US$1.00 recorded yesterday.
Outlook: We expect the NAFEX rate to retreat to its $/₦463 level tomorrow.
Commodities
Oil prices increased today following forecasted higher global demand from the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, weaker-than-expected economic date in China thin-out further gains. As of report time, Brent oil prices appreciated by c. 0.04% to $75.26 per barrel in intraday trade, while WTI depreciated by c 0.07% day-on-day to settle at US$71.16pb. Alternatively, Spot Gold depreciated by c. 0.66% day-on-day to close at US$2,000.40 per ounce as of report time.
Outlook: We expect Oil prices to hover around similar levels tomorrow, as market gauge the existing drivers.
