General News
NSE Index Dips, Oil Wobbles while Dollar Smiles
By Lukman Otunuga, Senior Research Analyst at FXTM,
One of the biggest losers was Royal Exchange Plc which declined 10% to trade around 0.27 Naira as of writing. Given the ongoing uncertainty presented by COVID-19, and recent depreciation in Oil prices primarily fueled by signs of the coronavirus fallout weighing on the energy sector, appetite towards local stocks may remain muted.
South Africa publishes shocking GDP data
Words fail to describe South Africa’s shocking and surreal gross domestic product data for Q2.
Economic growth contracted by a heart-stopping 51% q/q during the second quarter of 2020 thanks to the impacts of lockdown restrictions since the end of March 2020. This is the steepest decline since 1990 and raises concerns over the outlook for Africa’s most industrialized nation. It must be kept in mind that South Africa was already in a vulnerable situation before the coronavirus menace sunk its poisonous fangs into core services and sectors. The negative impacts continue to be reflected in economic data, as the country struggles to nurse deep wounds inflicted from tough lockdowns and rising coronavirus cases.
Expectations are set to mount over the South African Central Bank cutting interest rates for the sixth time this year to jumpstart economic growth. Given how inflationary pressures remain muted with consumer prices around 3.2%, this offers the SARB enough breathing room pull the rate cut trigger potentially in September or November. The key question is whether lower interest will breathe life into an economy entangled in a fierce battle against multiple risks. As of now, South Africa is predicted to experience its worst economic contraction since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Despite all of this negativity, the Rand is standing tall against the Dollar and other G10 currencies today. It has even appreciated across the board since the start of September and has offered a mixed performance across the FX space quarter-to-date.
The South African Rand remains influenced by external drivers in the form of COVID-19 developments, US-China trade and global sentiment. If the market mood improves this week and investors able to shake concerns over possible a delay in the COVID-19 vaccine, this may bode well for the Rand.
Dollar bulls stage a comeback
After being badly mistreated by G10, Asian and Emerging market currencies over the past few months, the Dollar has had enough.
The former king of the currency markets is on a mission to reclaim dominance, appreciating across the board after a sell-off in stock markets prompted investors to rush towards safe-haven destinations. Dollar bulls seem to be deriving strength from not only concerns over a possible delay in the Covid-19 vaccine but the recent U.S jobs report showing a decline in the U.S unemployment rate and jump in U.S Treasury yields.
With the Dollar Index trading at levels not seen in four weeks around 96.30 and appreciating over 1.5% since the start of September, are bulls back in the game?
Looking at the technical picture, a rebound may be on the cards on the weekly timeframe following the solid move above 93.00. A weekly close beyond this point could suggest an incline towards 94.00 and 96.00 in the medium term. If 94.00 proves to be reliable resistance, the DXY may find itself sinking back towards 93.00 and 91.15.
On the daily timeframe, prices remain in a wide range with support at 92.20 and resistance around 94.00. A daily close above 94.00 could inject bulls with enough inspiration to target 94.65 which then opens the doors towards 93.00 and beyond.
The question on the mind of many investors is whether the Dollar is able to maintain this current burst of confidence and majesty across the FX space. Although the currency is still considered as a safe-haven currency and the worlds reserve currency, it has weakened against every single G10 currency this quarter.
Negative themes in the form of rising coronavirus cases in the United States and political uncertainty ahead of Novembers presidential election may limit the Dollar’s upside gains. Given the fundamental forces influencing the Dollar’s longer-term outlook, prices still have the potential to decline with a move below 92.00 on the monthly timeframe acting as an early signal.
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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