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Investors Gain N15.6 Trillion in H1’24 Amid Monetary Policy Tightening

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Despite economic challenges, investors on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) gained over N15.6 trillion in the first half of 2024 (H1'24)

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.
    Positive sentiment during this quarter was also attributed to favorable policies by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, streamlining of exchange rates, and the floating of the naira.
  • 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.

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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.

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Travelers Brace for Hurricane Milton: Airlines, Theme Parks, and Cruise Lines Adjust Plans

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Travelers Brace for Hurricane Milton: Airlines, Theme Parks, and Cruise Lines Adjust Plans

With Hurricane Milton rapidly approaching Florida’s west coast, travel plans across the region are being significantly disrupted. The Category 4 storm, carrying winds of up to 145 mph, has triggered widespread cancellations, route changes, and closures as airlines, theme parks, and cruise lines prepare for its anticipated landfall on Wednesday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across more than 50 counties, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warning that Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida’s west coast with dangerous force.

Airports are taking precautionary measures, with Tampa International Airport suspending operations early on Tuesday, stating that it will “reopen when safe to do so.” Orlando International Airport, a major hub, announced it will close by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of flights in and out of Orlando, has already canceled 402 flights for Wednesday. FlightAware reports that over 85% of flights at Orlando International Airport have been grounded for the day, with many more cancellations at Tampa and Southwest Florida International airports.

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Theme parks are also responding to the storm. Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday, while SeaWorld Orlando remains open for the time being but continues to monitor Hurricane Milton’s path closely.

Cruise lines have been proactive as well, with Carnival informing passengers that ports in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are likely to close. As a result, several routes and destinations have been altered to steer clear of the storm’s impact.

As Hurricane Milton nears, travelers and local residents are urged to stay informed and adjust plans accordingly, with further disruptions expected in the coming days.

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States Sue TikTok, Alleging Impact on Teen Mental Health Crisis

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States Sue TikTok, Alleging Impact on Teen Mental Health Crisis

A coalition of 14 U.S. states has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of exacerbating a mental health crisis among teenagers. The bipartisan group of attorneys general claims the platform’s addictive features target young users, misleading the public about the safety of prolonged use, and contributing to negative mental health outcomes.

In the lawsuit, filed in New York, the attorneys general argue that TikTok intentionally designed features that drive compulsive use, negatively affecting millions of teens. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that TikTok’s influence has led to tragic incidents, including the death of a 15-year-old boy in Manhattan, who died while “subway surfing” after watching similar videos on TikTok.

James emphasized that many teenagers are struggling with increased anxiety, sadness, and depression, attributing some of these effects to the app’s alerts, disappearing videos, and beauty filters. These features, she said, encourage constant checking of the platform and contribute to issues surrounding body image.

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TikTok, which is already grappling with legislation that could ban it from the U.S. unless its parent company, Bytedance, sells the app, called the lawsuit “disappointing.” The platform contends that it has introduced tools to limit screen time and content exposure, but the lawsuit claims these tools are ineffective.

In addition to the mental health accusations, the lawsuit also points to TikTok’s virtual currency as running an unlicensed money transmission business in Washington D.C. The plaintiffs seek financial penalties and a court order to halt TikTok’s practices that allegedly harm teenagers.

TikTok has responded by defending its efforts to protect young users, stating, “We strongly disagree with these claims,” and reaffirming their commitment to improve the platform.

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Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive NYC Showroom for Ultra-Wealthy Clients

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Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive NYC Showroom for Ultra-Wealthy Clients

Rolls-Royce has launched its first U.S. “Private Office” in New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering a VIP design studio experience for its most affluent clients. This highly exclusive showroom marks a significant step in the luxury carmaker’s strategy to enhance profits by focusing on high-end, personalized vehicles rather than increasing production.

Last year, Rolls-Royce manufactured just 6,032 cars—less than half of Ferrari’s output—but its custom designs continue to drive profit growth for parent company BMW. The Private Office takes car personalization to an elite level, where select clients can work closely with designers to customize every aspect of their vehicle, from paint colors to fabrics, woods, and even intricate lighting schemes. Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge emphasized that customer requests can be as unique as matching the car’s exterior to the color of a pet’s eyes or incorporating mother-of-pearl from a private collection.

This bespoke design service, known as the “Bespoke” program, allows clients to add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the base price of a Rolls-Royce. For instance, a Phantom priced at just under $500,000 could exceed $1 million after personalization.

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Unlike traditional dealerships, the Private Office is a discreet and luxurious space, designed more like a billionaire’s Manhattan loft than a car showroom. The entrance is unmarked, with clients entering through a secure elevator. Inside, the studio features a sleek black kitchen, an outdoor terrace, and a collection of classic vinyl records, creating an intimate environment for clients to explore materials such as paint samples, leather, and metals.

This Manhattan showroom brings the expertise of Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory directly to clients, accommodating the increasingly intricate requests of the brand’s top-tier clientele.

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