The Markets | - Part 143

Hedge-Fund Billionaire’s Bitcoin Bet Is Cautionary Tale: Gadfly

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Bitcoin continues to redefine the word volatility. The cryptocurrency is down more than 50 percent from its December peak; but that still leaves it up more than 600 percent from its value a year ago. On Thursday, it dipped below $8,000, marking a decline of more than a third this month alone. Its fellow digital currencies including Ripple and Ethereum have inflicted similar losses on holders — or hodlers,…

Good News From West African Bourse Not Reaching Investors

Posted on by The Editorial Team

ABDIJAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – Investors are overlooking attractive opportunities in West Africa’s regional stock market — and the companies listed there are partly to blame, according to the head of the exchange. The 45 companies from eight countries that trade on the Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres, or BRVM, need to step up on disclosure and transparency to win over investors, Chief Executive Officer Edoh Kossi Amenounve said in an interview in Johannesburg. South Africa…

Asia’s Highest Yielder Is Losing Appeal Relative to South Africa

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Having the highest inflation-adjusted yield in Asia isn’t enough for emerging-market bond investors any more. That’s the message from Saxo Bank A/S, which says Indonesia is losing its appeal over countries such as South Africa because of better prospects for political stability and reforms. The rupiah slumped to a two-year low this month despite offering the highest inflation-adjusted yield in Asia and after having been upgraded in recent months by ratings…

South African Airways to Scale Back in 3-Year Break-Even Bid

Posted on by The Editorial Team

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South African Airways is striving to return to profit in three years by reducing the size of the network and transferring planes to its low-cost carrier as Chief Executive Officer Vuyani Jarana embarks on a recovery plan. A turnaround of the state-owned airline is among the more urgent priorities of newly appointed Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, who is seeking to avoid a repeat of the government bailout approved by his predecessor Malusi Gigabalast…

Crypto Traders Should Be Covered by MiFID II, EU Lawmaker Says

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Bitcoin, Ethereum and other virtual currencies should face tougher European Union regulation and be covered under MiFID II rules, according to one of the bloc’s top lawmakers. Such a move would help set common standards across the 28-member bloc and help the EU lead global oversight efforts of the rapidly expanding industry, Markus Ferber, the lead lawmaker on MiFID II in the European Parliament, said by email on Tuesday….

Egypt Stocks Surpass Pre-Currency Float Levels as Rally Advances

Posted on by The Editorial Team

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Egyptian shares extended their rally this year to push the benchmark index beyond its pre-currency float level, boosted by speculation that economic reforms will continue to benefit local companies. The EGX 30 Index rose 1.5 percent in Cairo, extending its gain in the past two sessions to 3.7 percent. In dollar terms, the gauge has now recovered all of its losses since November 2016, when the country allowed the…

Nigeria Beer Makers Set for Profit Hit on Tax, Top Broker Says

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigerian drinks producers including the local units of Heineken NV and Diageo Plc will see profit margins come under pressure after the government raises taxes on alcohol in June, according to the country’s biggest broker. Beverage makers may also suffer a sales decline of about 3 percent if they raise prices to cover the extra cost, Christian Orajekwe, an analyst for the Lagos-based Cordros Capital, said in emailed response to questions. President Muhammadu Buhari approved…

« 1 … 141 142 143 144 145 … 261 »