FIXED INCOME MARKETS
MONEY MARKETS
Opening system liquidity eased to ₦567.50 billion from ₦921.73 billion recorded yesterday. Overall, the Open Repo Rate (OPR) increased by 23 bps to 23.68%, while the Overnight Rate (O/N) increased by 10 bps to 24.14%.
Outlook: We expect interbank rates to remain elevated in the interim.
Treasury Bills
The treasury bills market was quiet as many participants focused on the NTB auction. By the closing bell, the market was bearish, as yields rose in expectation of higher stop rates. Overall, the average mid-rate increased 10 bps to 20.16%.
Outlook: We expect a mixed trend tomorrow.
FGN Bonds
The local FGN bonds market was calm today, with minimal activity observed on the 2033 and 2053 maturities. Overall, the market closed flat at 18.82%.
Outlook: We expect activity to stay quietly mixed tomorrow.
Equities
The Nigerian equity market ended on a positive note today, with the All-Share Index rising by 0.17% to 99,385.44 points. The year-to-date return and market capitalization settled at 32.91% and ₦56.22 trillion, respectively. Market breadth showed a ratio of 2.69x, with 35 advancers and 13 decliners. The bullish sentiment was driven by increased buying interests and relatively few sellers.
Trading activity saw a 23.57% increase in total volume and a 33.15% increase in value traded. The Banking and Consumer Goods Indices appreciated by 0.76% and 0.27%, respectively, while the Industrial and Oil & Gas Indices remained unchanged. ACCESSCORP led both the volume and value charts with 45.34 million units and ₦859.39 billion, respectively.
Outlook: We expect the mixed trend to persist.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) depreciated by ₦7.04 (or 0.47%) to $/₦1,507.83 compared to $/₦1,500.79 recorded yesterday.
Outlook: We expect volatility to persist.
Eurobonds
The African Eurobonds market showed a mixed bias. The Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) curve was bullish overall, except for Ghana bonds, which experienced a bearish bias. Egypt’s curve also trended bullish. Consequently, the Nigerian curve settled bullish, with the average mid yield decreasing by 5 bps to 10.09%.
Outlook: We expect similar session tomorrow, pending any major surprises on US GDP report. Market currently expects 1.40%.
Commodities
U.S. crude oil futures edged lower today, as oil and gasoline inventories rose. Brent crude oil prices dropped by 0.22% to $85.22, while WTI increased by 0.05% to $80.87. Gold prices fell by 0.79% to $2,312.40 per ounce at the time of writing.
Outlook: We expect the volatility to persist.