Business
Investors Gain N15.6 Trillion in H1’24 Amid Monetary Policy Tightening
Despite economic challenges, investors on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) gained over N15.6 trillion in the first half of 2024 (H1’24), largely due to the forex market reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Market Performance Highlights:
- Market Capitalization: Rose to N56.601 trillion at the end of H1’24 from N40.917 trillion at the end of December 2023.
- NGX All Share Index (ASI): Increased to 100,057.49 points from 74,773.77 points over the same period.
- Year-to-Date (YtD) Return: Stands at an impressive 33.81%, despite recent bearish trends in Q2.
Quarterly Performance Breakdown:
- Q1 2024: The equities market saw a significant return of 39.84%, driven by:
- Strong company earnings.
- Positive dividend announcements.
- The listing of Transcorp Power Plc on the NGX, which added 7.5 billion shares at N240.00 per share to the market.
- Q2 2024: The market experienced a decline, with returns falling to -4.31% by the end of June 28th. This downturn was primarily due to:
- Increased monetary tightening by the CBN.
- Rising interest rates, which made fixed income investments more attractive than equities.
Analysts’ Insights:
Financial analysts emphasized the positive impact of CBN’s FX reforms, which have bolstered market confidence and attracted foreign investors.
InvestData Consulting Analysts:
“Fiscal and monetary policies are striving to return the nation’s economy to a recovery path, despite the continued mismatch of policies and implementation styles. Ahead of the half-year earnings season, more companies like UCAP, AccessCorp, MTNN, and UACN have informed the market of their closed period and board meetings to approve the Q2 earnings report. Investors should target companies with a consistent track record of dividend payments, strong fundamentals, and growth prospects that support further earnings growth.”
Olatunde Amolegbe, Former President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS):
“The CBN’s reform of the FX market has increased confidence among foreign investors, boosting the market alongside support from local institutional investors.”
The insights from these analysts suggest that despite the economic headwinds and policy challenges, the NGX has managed to provide substantial returns to investors, underpinned by strategic reforms and positive investor sentiment.
With a potential TikTok ban looming in the United States, many of the app’s 170 million American users are flocking to the Chinese platform RedNote. Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” these users have propelled RedNote to the top spot on Apple’s US App Store as of Monday.
RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book,” boasts approximately 300 million monthly users and combines features similar to TikTok and Instagram. It is particularly popular among young urban women in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, offering a platform for exchanging lifestyle tips on topics ranging from fashion to relationships.
The app’s growing popularity comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide on a law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban. TikTok has refused to sell, arguing that such a move would violate the free speech rights of its users.
RedNote has embraced its influx of U.S. users, with 63,000 posts tagged “TikTok refugee” providing guidance on navigating the platform and learning basic Chinese phrases. One U.S. user humorously wrote, “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us—sorry in advance for the chaos.”
Despite its warm reception, RedNote is not without controversy. Critics point to censorship concerns, particularly regarding criticisms of the Chinese government. Additionally, public officials in Taiwan are restricted from using RedNote due to perceived security risks associated with Chinese software.
As U.S. users join RedNote, some Chinese users have joked about being labeled “Chinese spies,” referencing U.S. officials’ concerns over TikTok’s alleged ties to Chinese government surveillance. However, RedNote has distanced itself from political associations, stating that its name does not reference Mao Zedong’s famous “Little Red Book.”
Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high, briefly surpassing $106,000 (£83,890) on Monday during Asian trading hours. The cryptocurrency’s unprecedented rally marks a 50% surge since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, with market sentiment buoyed by the incoming administration’s pro-cryptocurrency stance.
The Trump administration has signaled a friendlier approach to digital currencies compared to its predecessor. Notably, President-elect Trump recently announced plans to explore creating a national Bitcoin reserve, akin to the U.S. strategic oil reserve, to support the cryptocurrency’s strategic adoption.
Peter McGuire of trading platform XM.com attributed the surge to growing “FOMO” (fear of missing out) among investors. “The Bitcoin rally since the election has been parabolic,” McGuire explained. “Many investors believe $120,000 is achievable by the end of the year, and projections for mid-2025 suggest prices could exceed $150,000.”
Adding to the market optimism, Trump has appointed David Sacks, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former PayPal executive, as his AI and cryptocurrency czar. Sacks, known for his close ties to Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the administration’s blockchain and cryptocurrency policies.
Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, known for his headline-grabbing antics, recently made waves after consuming a $6.2 million banana in an art stunt. Not long after, Sun invested $30 million into World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency firm with ties to former President Donald Trump.
The investment proved transformative for the struggling company, pushing it past the threshold needed for Trump to begin profiting from the venture. Trump and his family are now positioned to collect around $20 million, with the potential for more.
Sun, currently facing fraud charges in the U.S. over his own crypto operations, did not elaborate on why he backed the untradable token initiative. However, the move has raised concerns among ethics experts, who view it as an example of how Trump’s vast business interests could create avenues for influence.
Richard Painter, former White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, noted the heightened risk:
“The conflicts have grown substantially with the scope of his business empire.”
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed concerns, highlighting that Trump had distanced himself from his real estate empire during his presidency and donated his salary:
“Unlike most politicians, President Trump didn’t get into politics for profit – he’s fighting because he loves this country.”
Critics argue that Trump has not adequately addressed the potential for corruption as his business dealings expand ahead of a possible return to the White House.
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