The Markets | - Part 190

Nigeria hopes for oil upturn after economy shrinks again

LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s economy stayed in recession in the first quarter and shrank more sharply than thought at the end of last year, data showed on Tuesday, as signs of growth in the oil sector fuelled hopes of an upturn in coming months. The economy shrank by 1.5 percent in 2016 for its first annual drop in 25 years, hit by a shortage of hard currency and lower revenues from its dominant oil sector…

Moody’s: Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from foreign currency shortages to take time

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – While foreign currency shortages in Sub-Saharan Africa stemming from lower oil and commodity prices are easing, it will take time for sovereigns, banks, and non-financial companies to restore their financial health, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report today. The report, “Foreign currency shortages are subsiding but will take a time to overcome”, is now available on www.moodys.com. Moody’s subscribers can access this report via the link at the end of this press release….

Iron Risks Plunge to $40s as Marex Sounds Second-Half Alarm

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Iron ore prices that have steadied in recent weeks after a spectacular two-month rout may be set for another steep leg down in the second half, according to Marex Spectron, which forecasts that the commodity is at risk of sinking into the $40s as mine supply expands. “What we’re seeing six months from now are weaker demand and higher supply,” Georgi Slavov, head of research at the commodity broker, said in an…

Stress Sign: Black Market’s Cheaper Than Official Naira Rate

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria’s new currency market is showing just how severe the country’s dollar shortage is. The naira is falling to levels weaker than the black-market rate in a foreign-exchange window set up for international investors and hedge funds last month. It’s a sign of how dysfunctional currency markets have become in Africa’s largest economy as officials enforce multiple exchange rates and trading and import restrictions. Funds including Chicago-based Frontaura Capital, South Africa’s Allan…

If Bond Market Could Decide, Egypt Would Be Set for Upgrade

Posted on by The Editorial Team

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – With its finances in tatters, a credit upgrade was out of the question for Egypt before it secured an IMF loan agreement. Fast-forward six months, and it’s already won promotion in the bond market. Egypt’s dollar bonds have sprung back this year, driving its borrowing costs to the lowest level since 2015. That has lifted the market perception of Egyptian risk above that of some ratings assessors. The nation’s…

Dangote Cement Profit Rises as Price Gains Offset Lower Volumes

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s largest producer of the building material and Nigeria’s biggest company, said first-quarter profit rose 34 percent as a price increase offset lower volumes sold and operations on the rest of the continent helped bolster sales. Net income increased to 70.6 billion naira ($220 million) in the three months through March, compared with 52.8 billion naira a year earlier, the Lagos-based company said in a statement on Friday….

What Investors Need to Know About Nigeria’s New Exchange Window

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – There’s a lot riding on Nigeria’s new foreign-exchange platform. The system — called the Investors’ and Exporters’ FX Window — is the government’s latest attempt to lure back traders who fled in the past two years. The idea is that by creating a market for some types of investment transactions, policy makers can satisfy calls to float the currency without risking an inflationary spiral that may come from a devaluation. Eventually,…

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