The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index and market capitalisation declined by 4.28% to close the week at 26,216.46 and N13.658 trillion respectively4. This rise was primarily driven by the Financial Services industry, particularly Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc, which comprised 82% of the total trade volume valued at N17.2 billion. Despite this, the top six price gainers were mostly non-financial services firms including May & Baker Nigeria, Ekocorp, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals, BUA Cement, and Ardova Plc. As the equities prices continue to drop, the dividend yields will remain attractive not only to local investors but also to global portfolio managers which will drive improvements in market activities.
March 23, 2020
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 9)
Related
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 42)
Recently
released survey report by the CBN shows an improvement in the availability of
secured and unsecured banks credit and loans to
households, corporate and small businesses in 2017Q3, and an optimistic outlook
in 2017Q4. Among other indices, availability of overall secured and
unsecured lending to households improved from -6.2 and -19.2 to -0.9 and -15.0
index points respectively; although still in the negative territory. Index for
availability of credit to small businesses improved from -20.1 to -6.7. Lenders
and respondents noted that anticipation of a brighter economic outlook,
favorable liquidity positions, market share objectives and higher appetite for
risk were major factors behind the increase.