The Nigerian equities market yesterday reversed the previous day’s positive sentiment to record a decline of 0.13 per cent as sell pressure by speculators heightened in quest of profit taking. This was majorly impacted by sell down on financial services stocks. Conversely, market breadth closed positively, recording 23 gainers as against 16 losers. Consequently, the All-Share Index dipped 35.46 basis points or 0.13 per cent to close at 27,646.15 index points as against 27.681.61 recorded the previous day while market capitalisation of equities depreciated by…
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OECD: Global economy sliding towards weakest growth in decade
Intensifying trade conflicts have sent global growth momentum tumbling toward lows last seen during the financial crisis, and governments are not doing enough to prevent long-term damage, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said in its latest outlook. The Paris-based organisation cut almost all economic forecasts it made just four months ago, as protectionist policies take an increasing toll on confidence and investment, and risks continue to mount on financial markets. It sees world growth at a mere 2.9 per cent this year. …
Read MoreUBA launches Leo on Apple Business Chat
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday, announced that the services of its Chatbot, Leo, is now available for customers on Apple Business Chat, where its users can communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad. “As a brand focused on providing excellent customer experience, we are always looking for new ways to serve our customers easily and on time; we are therefore thrilled to support Apple Business Chat, which gives us a powerful and engaging connection with our customers,” said Mr.…
Read MoreNBS: Lack of market-oriented policies stifling growth
Latest merchandize trade report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed a decline in the country’s foreign trade surplus in the first half of this year, as well as weak second quarter 2019 capital importation data earlier released by the bureau, indicates that a lack of market-oriented policies is hindering Nigeria’s economic growth, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, have said. The analysts, who stated this in a report obtained by New Telegraph yesterday, said they expected the weak data to lead the Federal Government into…
Read MoreSouth Africa holds key rate in unanimous decision
South Africa’s central bank left its main interest rate on hold at 6.5 per cent yesterday as expected, saying it would like to see inflation expectations anchored closer to the midpoint of its target range. The decision by the bank’s monetary policy committee was unanimous. South Africa has seen benign inflation outcomes this year, but growth has been sluggish. That has piled pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has staked his reputation on lifting the economy out of a deep slump. The South African Reserve Bank left…
Read MoreNigeria spends N80.8bn on palm oil in 8 months
A total of 328,598 metric tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) valued at N80.8million ($221.5million) have been imported by Nigerian palm oil merchants. The imports were delivered through Nigerian ports between January and August this year. No fewer than 82,210 tonnes of the produce were imported between June and August 2019, despite Federal Government’s directive to blacklist any firm importing the produce into the country. Already, the produce is among the list of 41 items restricted from accessing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange.…
Read MoreFOI: BudgIT tackles RMAFC over lawmakers’ 552% budget increase
Nigerian lawmakers’ flair for budgeting enormous funds for themselves without consideration for decaying infrastructure and ordinary Nigerians going through difficulties has again been highlighted as it moved from N23.3 billion in 2003 to N150 billion in 2014. The increase, according to details released by transparency monitor outfit, BudgIT, represents a whopping 552 per cent within the period in view. Meanwhile, Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest paid in the world. Last year, a Nigerian senator revealed that the legislators receive N14.25 million (over $40,000) monthly. …
Read MoreRay Power at 25: Akinfeleye tasks media on developmental journalism
As Nigeria’s first private radio station, Ray Power, marks its 25th anniversary, foremost Professor of Mass Communication, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, has advised the media to brace for developmental journalism by going deeper into the grassroots. He spoke at the weekend as the radio station played host to some prominent Nigerians including media personalities. The University of Lagos don, who is also a board member of Daar Communications Plc, said it was time journalists did less of political reporting by tilting towards reportage that will enhance peace and development. While commending…
Read MoreNNPC insists on October for decision on mega gas plant
…as consortium wins $10bn NLNG Train-7 bid A joint venture consortium comprising Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo (SCD) on Wednesday emerged the preferred bidder for the $10 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project. This came as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) insisted on the October target for the final investment decision on the gas mega plant. The SCD consortium, the NLNG said, would be undertaking the engineering, procurement and construction project for the Train 7 project. The gas giant announced the consortium in…
Read MoreTrump reverses course, seeks negative rates from Fed
U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday called on the “boneheads” at the Federal Reserve to push interest rates down into negative territory, a move reluctantly used by other world central banks to battle weak economic growth that risks punishing savers and banks’ earnings in the process. Trump, in a pair of Twitter posts, said negative rates would save the government money on its debt, which including Social Security accounts has reached a record $22 trillion on Trump’s watch. He did not address the risks or financial market tensions that central…
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