03 August 2018

Equity: Recording the largest value traded since 31 May (N9.79 billion), negative sentiment drove the equity market further southward on Friday, down 68bps. With four out of five sessions in the week closing in negative territory, the ASI closed out August with a 163bps w/w and 586bps m/m decline. Analysts expect trading in the new month to begin on a weaker note as investors remain pessimistic in the short-term. Analysts also highlight that recent earnings releases did little to improve market sentiment, further evidence of the pre-election blues. 

Stock Watch: PZ released its FY’18 results on Friday, showing a 3% y/y rise in revenue to N80.5 billion, however PAT declined 48% y/y to N1.9 billion, 13% below analyst's estimate. The stock is currently trading at N21.68, down 27.18% ytd. 

Fixed Income: Buoyant liquidity should spur further buying today, though this would be capped by any CBN liquidity mop up. Meanwhile, the bearish trend in the bond market should persist as investors remain wary of long-term instruments. 

Reporting for EasyKobo on Monday , 03 August 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria

Source: Vetiva Capital Management Limited