South African Court Blocks Biggest Bank Strike Since 1920

South African Court Blocks Biggest Bank Strike Since 1920

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South African bank workers were blocked from participating in what would have been the industry’s biggest strike in almost a century as labor unions protest against job losses. Unions failed to comply with rules allowing demonstrations and those who down tools will have no protection, Judge Hilary Rabkin-Naicker said in her ruling in the Johannesburg-based Labour Court on Thursday. The Congress of South African Trade Unions, the nation’s largest labor federation, and…

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Charts That Show The New Zambian Finance Chief’s Budget Dilemma

Charts That Show The New Zambian Finance Chief’s Budget Dilemma

LUSAKA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zambian Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu’s job when presenting his maiden budget to lawmakers on Friday should be simple: he only has to show the plan for 10% of the government’s spend next year. That’s because about 90% is already tied up with wages and paying debts, according to President Edgar Lungu. The hard part is figuring out how to spread the meager resources, while at the same time trying to raise…

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Nigeria’s Buhari Courts Market Advice He May Not Heed

Nigeria’s Buhari Courts Market Advice He May Not Heed

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – A new advisory panel created by President Muhammadu Buhari could usher the reforms needed to breathe life into Nigeria’s economy during his second term. That’s if the 76-year-old former military ruler listens to them. Buhari named an eight-member Economic Advisory Council last week to replace a broader team of bureaucrats led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who under the constitution is the government’s economic policy coordinator. Business leaders, including Africa’s…

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Nigeria Insurance Regulator Says 26 Companies to Recapitalize

Nigeria Insurance Regulator Says 26 Companies to Recapitalize

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) Nigeria’s National Insurance Commission approved the recapitalization plans of 26 insurance companies and directed them to proceed with their proposals to meet prescribed capital thresholds. The commission asked 22 other companies to revise their own proposals and resubmit for further review, the Abuja-based agency said Thursday in an emailed statement. Insurers combining life, property and casualties are to have a minimum capital of 18 billion naira ($50 million), while those…

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British Airways Owner Warns Industry Woes to Persist Into 2020

British Airways Owner Warns Industry Woes to Persist Into 2020

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) British Airways owner IAG SA warned that challenges facing the European airline industry are set to continue into 2020 after cutting profit guidance for this year. IAG lowered capacity growth in the final quarter and will provide details in November of a decrease next year, Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said on a call with analysts on Thursday. Earnings for this year will be about 6% lower than forecast in the wake of strikes…

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What’s the Price of a Treasury Note? It Depends on Whom You Ask

What’s the Price of a Treasury Note? It Depends on Whom You Ask

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.S. government just argued that Treasuries are sufficiently transparent when it comes to prices. So why can’t investors agree on what those prices are? The $16 trillion Treasuries market is the world’s biggest and most liquid bond market. But unlike stocks, it lacks a mechanism for establishing end-of-day prices that everyone can use. That means money managers sometimes value identical securities at different levels. Tradeweb Markets Inc., one of…

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Nigeria Can Appeal $9.6 Billion Ruling Over 2010 Gas Deal

Nigeria Can Appeal $9.6 Billion Ruling Over 2010 Gas Deal

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria was given permission to appeal by a London judge in its $9.6 billion legal dispute with Process & Industrial Developments over a failed 2010 gas deal. P&ID, an Irish-run firm backed by hedge fund manager VR Capital Group Ltd., has won a series of legal rulings and is seeking to enforce an arbitration judgment now worth nearly $10 billion Nigeria, which wants to overturn the award, has begun…

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