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FXTM Analysis: Pressures On The ‘Yellow Metal’

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FXTM Research Analyst Lukman Otunuga comments on the pressures on the yellow metal, while a strengthening Dollar continues to cap upside gains.

Global stocks were pressured during Friday’s trading session, as scepticism over the sustainability of the Trump-fuelled market rally and a sense of caution ahead of Yellen’s speech kept investors on edge.

Asian equity markets swiftly surrendered gains, while European shares descended into red territory as participants re-evaluated the likelihood of higher US interest rates. The bearish domino effect from Europe, coupled with risk aversion may limit gains on Wall Street later today.

Although the stock market rally has been phenomenal this quarter, investors should remain vigilant as the bearish attributes for a selloff still linger in the background. The political risks in Europe, Brexit woes and ongoing Trump uncertainties could still trigger a wave of risk aversion. While the upside momentum may continue to elevate global stocks to gravity-defying levels, an unexpected catalyst could trigger a selloff that brings an end to the overextended market rally.

Sterling Slides to Seven-Week Low
Sterling bears were unleashed on Friday following the unexpected decline in UK services in February, rekindling concerns that ongoing Brexit woes are negatively impacting the economy.

The visible slowdown in UK services which fell to 53.3 has added to the cocktail of soft economic releases this week that continue to pressure Sterling.

With sentiment towards Sterling firmly bearish, further downsides may be expected as anxiety heightens ahead of the Article 50 invocation this month. From a technical standpoint, the GBPUSD is heavily bearish on the daily charts and a breakdown below 1.2200 could encourage a further selloff lower towards 1.2050.

Janet Yellen in focus
The Greenback has been explosively bullish this trading week as expectations mount over the Federal Reserve raising US interest rates in March.  The hawkish chorus of Fed officials suggesting an imminent US rate increase has made the Dollar king, while positive US economic data continues to ensure the currency remains buoyed.

Much attention will be directed towards Yellen’s speech this evening, which could cement expectations of a March rate hike if she reiterates a similarly hawkish mantra as other Fed officials.

Technical traders may pay attention to how the Dollar Index reacts around the 102.00 regions. There is a possibility that previous resistance at 102.00 could transform into a dynamic support, which in turn encourages a further incline higher towards 102.50.

Gold Under Fresh Selling Pressure
The growing speculation of the Federal Reserve raising US interest rates in March has exposed Gold to downside shocks, with the metal booking its biggest one-day loss of 2017 during Thursday’s trading session. Sellers have exploited the repeated hawkish comments from Fed officials to pressure the yellow metal, while a strengthening Dollar continues to cap upside gains.

A scenario where the Greenback continues to appreciate amid the improving sentiment towards the US economy could leave Gold vulnerable to further losses.

Although the concerns over political risks in Europe, Brexit woes and Trump developments attract investors to safe haven assets in the medium to longer term, bears currently remain in control on the daily charts.

From a technical standpoint, further weakness below $1220 could encourage a selloff lower towards $1200.

Commodity spotlight – WTI Crude
Oil markets were vulnerable to losses on Thursday following reports that Russian crude production remained unchanged in February, rekindling concerns of weak compliance in the global output cut deal.

The sharp selloff was fuelled by US government data showing that domestic crude inventories ascended to record highs last week. Oil prices may come under increased pressure from the combination of oversupply fears resurfacing, US shale pumping oil incessantly and a strengthening Dollar.

From a technical standpoint, the breakdown below $53 on WTI Crude may open a path lower towards $52.

 


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E-Financial

Lagos State Appoints MoneyMaster as Payment Partner for “Ounje Eko” Programme

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“Ounje Eko”, the food price discount initiative of the Lagos State Government, has appointed leading payment service bank, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank Limited (MMPSB), as its collaborator in the bid to ensure ease of payments at the market.

MoneyMaster is one of the Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Service Banks (PSBs) to promote financial inclusion across Nigeria.

Under the partnership, MMPSB will apply its cutting-edge payment solution to engender easy payment and reconciliation in order to make   the experiences of Lagosians who will be getting their food supplies from the markets pleasurable. Its payment solution is also all-encompassing and ensures real time value to payment destinations.

The mobile bank was appointed as the collection and payment partner for “Ounje Eko” Food Markets programme which is a government initiative serving the five divisions of Lagos State. Consequent on this, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank will collect payments in 57 LCDAs in the state.

The partnership gives credence to the quality of payment solutions that MoneyMaster is reputed for in its services to its growing business clientele in private and public sectors.

 


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CBN, EFCC Probe Banks, Firms over Alleged Forex Racketeering

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is investigating irregular foreign exchange transactions and forward contracts valued at approximately $2.4 billion.

CBN, EFCC Probe Banks, Firms over Alleged Forex Racketeering

The  inquiry follows an extensive audit by Deloitte, which scrutinized $7 billion in dollar debts accumulated under the bank’s previous leadership.

In the aftermath of the 294th Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, Yemi Cardoso, governor of CBN,  disclosed to journalists that the investigation, supported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, among other security bodies, aims to clarify the legitimacy of these FX allocations identified as problematic by the audit.

“It was determined that a number of these transactions did not qualify…they were outright illegal. The law enforcement agencies are now looking into those transactions that as far as we are concerned, are not valid to be paid,” Cardoso detailed, emphasizing the unlawful nature of these forex deals.

The crux of the investigation lies in the audit findings that a significant portion of the scrutinized transactions lacked proper documentation and, in many instances, were deemed outright illegal.

However, the unfolding investigation has raised concerns within the organized private sector, with some entities contemplating legal action against commercial banks for unresolved forex bids.

Despite these tensions, Governor Cardoso reassures that the foreign exchange market remains open and transparent, inviting stakeholders to address their forex needs through the official channels.

Furthermore, Cardoso clarified the distribution of fertilizers to farmers as a one-off measure and not indicative of a shift back to direct interventions by the CBN, underscoring a commitment to strategic, regulatory governance rather than direct market involvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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CBN Urges Banks to Expedite Action on Recapitalisation

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed deposit money banks in the country to expedite action to increase their capital base from the current ₦25bn.

CBN Urges Banks to Expedite Action on Recapitalisation

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, stated this during the apex bank’s 294th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Tuesday in Abuja, when the MPC hiked the interest rate by 22.75% to 24.75%.

The apex bank chief said the MPC examined developments in the banking sector and expressed satisfaction that the industry remained stable. The committee, however, said to guard against risk, commercial banks in the country should accelerate their recapitalisation efforts.

Cardoso said, “The MPC also reviewed developments in the banking system and noted that the industry remains safe, sound, and stable. The committee thus called on the bank to sustain its surveillance and ensure compliance of banks with existing regulatory and macro-potential guidelines.

“The MPC also enjoined the banks to expedite actions on the recapitalisation of banks to strengthen the system against potential risks in an increasingly globalised world.”

 

 

 

 


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