General News
Naira stable after CBN interest rate cut
By Lukman Otunuga, FXTM Research Analyst,
The Naira continues to experience stability despite an unexpected rate cut from the Central Bank of Nigeria earlier this week.
This is highly encouraging and suggests that the currency has scope to appreciate if macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria stabilize further. With the jump in Brent Oil prices boosting government revenues and pushing foreign exchange reserves to $44 billion, the CBN has ammunition to defend the currency. However, external risks in the form of global growth concerns and trade developments could still create headwinds for the Naira further down the road. It must be kept in mind that the Naira is not alone, as many other emerging market currencies are also feeling the pressure.
Brexit stalemate deepens as Parliament rejects all alternatives
The drama, confusion and sheer uncertainty over Brexit intensified on Wednesday evening, after British MPs rejected all eight options aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock.
With none of the indicative votes gaining a majority, the options in moving forward are becoming increasingly limited, with speculation in the air of a general election down the line. While MPs plan to trim the list of options and vote again on Monday, the clock is ticking with the risk of a no-deal Brexit rising by the day. Although Theresa May has pledged to stand down by May 22 if MPs back her plan, it remains uncertain whether Commons Speaker John Bercow will allow her deal to be brought forward for the third time on Friday. If May’s deal is rejected once again and Parliament is unable to agree on anything, the UK could slip into a no-deal Brexit which will have severe consequences on the British Pound.
Sterling tumbled on Wednesday evening as Brexit uncertainty haunted investor attraction towards the currency. However, looking at Sterling’s overall price action, it does feel like the risk over a no-deal Brexit is underpriced. The year-to-date uptrend for GBPUSD is still intact despite the twist and turns. There have been higher highs and higher lows so far in 2019 with prices trading around 1.3162 as of writing. While the GBPUSD has the potential to challenge the 1.3300 resistance, further gains beyond this point are likely to be limited by Brexit developments.
Dollar running on borrowed time
Even as markets heed the Fed’s dovish tone and have ramped up expectations of a US rate cut as soon as September, the Dollar Index has repeatedly tried to break above the 97.0 handle.
Although the Dollar has been resilient in recent months, it may be time for bulls to throw in the towel as concerns mount over the health of the US economy. With the US Treasury yield curve inverting at the start of the week, warning lights are flashing over the largest economy in the world potentially entering a recession. These lingering fears are likely to dampen appetite for the Dollar as investors park their money elsewhere.
Should there be further confirmation of the largest economy in the world cooling or the Fed remaining firmly dovish, the Dollar may lose its grip on the throne.
Commodity spotlight – Gold
It has not been the best of trading weeks for Gold, with prices trading around $1311 as of writing. Although a stabilizing Dollar during the early parts of the week dragged the metal lower, the medium to longer-term outlook favours bulls. With global growth fears and geopolitical risks weighing on investor confidence and market sentiment, Gold will remain a destination of safety for investors. In regards to the technical picture, bulls remain in control above the psychological $1300 with a breakout above $1313 opening a path towards $1324.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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