The World’s Best Stocks May Gain Even More If Oil Holds Up

The World’s Best Stocks May Gain Even More If Oil Holds Up

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The world-beating rally in Nigerian stocks may not be over yet. The main equity index in Africa’s biggest economy has surged 12 percent this year in dollar terms, the most among 96 major bourses tracked by Bloomberg, pushing it to the highest level since 2008. Dangote Cement Plc, controlled by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and the largest company on the exchange, has climbed to a record high. The advance will probably be…

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Abraaj Is Said to Hire Citigroup for North Africa Hospitals IPO

Abraaj Is Said to Hire Citigroup for North Africa Hospitals IPO

CASABLANCA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Abraaj Group, a buyout firm focused on emerging markets, hired Citigroup Inc. and EFG-Hermes Holding SAE to manage an initial public offering or sale of its North African hospitals business, according to people familiar with the matter. The private equity firm plans to list the business or find a buyer during the first half of the year, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The…

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H&M Caught in Controversy Over Black Child in `Monkey’ Hoodie Ad

H&M Caught in Controversy Over Black Child in `Monkey’ Hoodie Ad

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Hennes & Mauritz AB has started 2018 at the centre of an embarrassing controversy after the Swedish clothes retailer published an ad showing a black child modelling a hoodie with the text “coolest monkey in the jungle.” The company has pulled the garment in question from its stores and apologized. H&M also said it agreed with those who were upset by the image, which appeared in its online store. The…

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A Star Arab Economy Eases Hold on Currency to Lure Investors

A Star Arab Economy Eases Hold on Currency to Lure Investors

CASABLANCA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Morocco loosened its currency peg in a long-awaited move aimed at strengthening its economy and avoiding financial imbalances that forced a slew of emerging nations into sharp devaluations. Bank al-Maghrib on Monday allowed the dirham to fluctuate 2.5 percent above or below its official rate, significantly widening the band from 0.3 percent each way. The central bank updated the dirham’s band from to 8.9783 to 9.4328 against the dollar as of…

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These Digital Coins Soar (or Fall) With Bitcoin: QuickTake Q&A

These Digital Coins Soar (or Fall) With Bitcoin: QuickTake Q&A

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – It was astounding enough when bitcoin soared more than 14-fold over the course of 2017 to reach a peak of more than $19,000 on Dec. 16, giving it a total market cap of $329 billion — greater than the gross domestic product of South Africa or Ireland. Equally astounding, perhaps, is that bitcoin’s value has now been eclipsed by the combined market caps of the next biggest four cryptocurrencies,…

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Metals Power Higher as Sickly Dollar Spurs Copper-to-Gold Rally

Metals Power Higher as Sickly Dollar Spurs Copper-to-Gold Rally

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Copper jumped by the most in two months and zinc hit a fresh decade-high as base metals rallied on a potent combination of a softer dollar, dwindling inventories and continued robust outlook for demand. Palladium rallied to a new record as all precious metals climbed. Copper surged as much as 2.1 percent, the most since Nov. 13, to $7,262 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange. All metals climbed as the Bloomberg…

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Oil Trades Near Three-Year High as OPEC Members Reassure on Cuts

Oil Trades Near Three-Year High as OPEC Members Reassure on Cuts

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Oil traded near the highest close in more than three years as Iraq echoed a call by the United Arab Emirates and other producers for OPEC-led output cuts to continue, despite recent price gains. Futures were little changed in New York after rising 4.7 percent last week. The production curbs have contributed to stability in the market and should remain, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi said Saturday. Yet Brent crude at $70 a…

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