Economy
NGX Gains N644bn on Airtel, MTNN Payment Service Approvals
Transactions on the Nigerian stock market closed on a positive note with the market capitalisation gaining N644 billion to hit N22 trillion mark, amid gains by telecommunication companies.
Specifically, the market capitalisation inched higher by N644 billion to close at N22.569 trillion from N21.
925 trillion recorded on Friday.Similarly, the All-Share Index rose by 1,232.
37 points or 2. 93 per cent to close at 43,246.87 against 42,014.50 posted on Friday.Accordingly, month-to-date and year-to-date gains increased to 2.9 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively.
The market positive performance was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are; Airtel Africa, MTNN, Unilever Nigeria, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGXGroup) and Guinness.
Commenting on stock market performance, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., Mr Ambrose Omordion, attributed the growth to investors’ reactions to potential in listed communication companies.
Omordion told the newsmen that investors were buying into Airtel Africa and MTNN because of mobile money services payment approvals.
He said that investors were positioning in these companies to reap from their growth potential at the long run.
Airtel Africa and MTNN announced on Friday they had received approval in principle from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate Payment Service Banks (PSBs) in the country.
In spite of the rally, market breadth closed negative recording 25 losers as against 18 gainers.
Airtel Africa drove the gainers’chart in percentage terms by 10 per cent to close at N858 per share.
Red Star Express followed with a gain 9.94 per cent to close at N3.43, while Cutix appreciated by 9.91 per cent to close at N6.21 per share.
MTNN went up by 9.62 per cent to close at N192.50, while Unilever Nigeria appreciated by 9.36 per cent to close at N14.60 per share.
On the other hand, Conoil led the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 9.80 per cent to close at N23 per share.
Computer Warehouse Group followed with 9.73 per cent to close at N1.02, while Custodian Investment declined by 9.47 per cent to close at N7.65 per share.
Honeywell Flour Mills shed 9.07 per cent to close at N3.31, while Africa Prudential depreciated by 4.72 per cent to close at N6.05 per share.
Also, the total volume traded increased by 57.1 per cent to 443.61 million shares worth N5.05 billion traded in 5,233 deals.
This was in contrast with a total of 287.04 million shares valued at N2.38 billion achieved in 3,524 deals on Friday.
Transactions in the shares of Sterling Bank topped the activity chart with 81.23 million shares valued at N121.85 million.
UACN followed with 67.25 million shares worth N706.44 million, while FBN Holdings traded 42.24 million shares valued at N473.45 million.
Zenith Bank traded 32.62 million shares valued at N797.35 million, while Transcorp transacted 20.96 million shares worth N21.57 million. (NAN)
Economy
Value Addition is new Standard in Mining Operations – Alake
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has declared value addition as the new indispensable standard for mining operations in the country.
Alake made the declaration in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Segun Tomori, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister had earlier said that the federal government had resolved to ensure compliance to value addition before permitting investors to operate.
He said that his seven-point agenda for the ministry had placed the mining sector on the global front burner since assuming office, which had generated renewed interest from the international community in Nigeria`s mineral resources.
According to the statement, the minister lauded a mining company, African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.
(ANRML), during an inspection tour in Kaduna State, for its 600 million dollar facility dedicated to the mining and processing of magnetite iron-ore.He described the move as in line with the government`s resolve for value addition, which is especially apt given President Bola Tinubu`s quest to develop the solid minerals, to boost Nigeria`s economic profile and to meet the global upsurge in energy transition.
“The company aligns with our vision of value addition and beneficiation through its processing of iron-ore, and I urge other mining companies to take a cue from them, “ he said.
He reiterated the government`s commitment to abstain from granting mining licenses to companies that lack the necessary plans for value addition.
The minister acknowledged that resilience, courage and laying a solid foundation were critical in contributing to the company success.
He added that such factors also serve as guidelines for President Tinubu`s administration in its efforts for economic transformation.
“ We have set our minds in this administration and invariably in Nigeria to achieve success, that is why Mr President is restructuring the economy.
“When this company (ANRML) started seven years ago, we saw one of the foundations through the video documentary, the amount of concrete that went in to erect a foundation, just to carry a giant edifice.
“That is what we are going through. When we get through the gestation period, the results will manifest, and it will herald prosperity, “he said.
The minister had stated that no license would be granted to companies wishing to enter the mineral sector without presenting a plan for value addition, such as processing and refining which has multiplier effect on the economy. (NAN)
Economy
Life Insurance Records 95% Net Claims in Q4 2023-NAICOM
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says Life insurance business recorded about 95 per cent net claims of the total claims in the fourth quarter of 2023.
A report by NAICOM in Abuja on Tuesday hinted that the record was due to the direct reflection of the ongoing regulatory measures by the Commission regarding claims settlements.
NAICOM said the insurance market average stood at about 71.
4 per cent of the N536. 5 billion gross claims reported at the close of the fourth quarter.The Commission said the market also recorded retention of about 87.7 per cent for the life business, 54 per cent for non-life while the aggregate market average retention stood at 66.
7 per cent for the period.It showed that the insurance industry sustained its progressive trend of positive market performance at the close of 2023 fourth quarter.
According to NAICOM, the insurance market recorded a milestone growth to close at N1.003 trillion, representing about 27 per cent growth compared to the N790 billion recorded in 2022.
”Major growth drivers in the non-life segment of the market were oil and gas and fire Insurances contributing 27.3 per cent and 24.1 per cent respectively.
”In a direct reflection to the “no-premium no-cover” policy of the Commission, the outstanding premium continues to decline.
”The premium posted 1.6 per cent as outstanding of all the premiums generated in the market during the period.
”Statistics also shows that the market recorded total assets of about N2.67trillion and capitalisation of N851billion in 2023,” NAICOM said. (NAN)
Economy
No Mining License without Mineral Value Addition Plans-Alake Warns
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has warned that no mining license would be issued to prospective investors without requisite plans for value addition on minerals.
Alake gave the warning in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Tuesday.
He said the Federal Government had resolved to ensure compliance before permitting investors to operate.
He said that his Seven -Point Agenda for the ministry had placed the mining sector on global front burner since assuming office, which had generated renewed interest from the international community in Nigeria’s mineral resources.
He said the support of the executive and the legislature had enabled the ministry to showcase the solid minerals sector globally, resulting in his election as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to him, with the pact that led to the formation of the AMSG, there is now unity of purpose on the African continent regarding the issue of local value addition.
“We are no longer going to allow anybody or license any company that wants to go into the mineral sector without giving us a plan for local value addition, like processing, refining and this has a multiplier effect on the economy.
“It instantly generates employment rather than a few people carting away lithium, gold, and the likes to other countries to sell.
“These minerals must now be processed in Nigeria, creating more value and beneficiation for local communities where they are sourced, ” he said.
Reports says that the minister had earlier received members of the House Committee on Solid Minerals who were on oversight visit to his office.
The minister commended the lawmakers for their support in repositioning the mining sector, stressing that boosting the economic profile of Nigeria required joint task by both the executive and legislature.
He acknowledged the significant contribution of sub-nationals to mining development, emphasising that state chairmen of Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) and five committee members were nominated by state governments. (NAN)