Investors jostle for dividend- paying stocks persists
INvestorscontinued to position for dividend- paying stocks, last week, triggering more bargain- hunting activities on the equities sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited ( NGX) as the all- share index ( ASI) rose above the 45,000 mark to close at 45,957.35 points - the highest level since January 2018.
Specifically, ASI and market capitalisation appreciated by 3.38 per cent to close the week at 45,957.35 and N24.761 trillion respectively.
All other indices finished higher, except NGX insurance index, which depreciated by 0.27 per cent while the NGX Asem, and NGX Sovereign bond indices closed flat.
The bullish momentum was propelled by foreign investors’
· Analysts say MPC outcome will set the tone for new market direction
demand for Airtel Africa ( which closed 10 per cent higher), Seplat (+ 9.4 per cent), Dangote Cement (+ 5.5 per cent), BUA Cement (+ 4.2 per cent), Nigerian Breweries (+ 4.4 per cent), Dangote Sugar Refinery (+ 4.4 per cent) and GTCO (+ 2.4 per cent).
Reacting to market performance, the Chief Research Officer of Investdata Consulting Limited, Ambrose Omordion, said the high volume of transactions and price actions revealed the presence of buyers and return of institutional players to the market after the holidays.
"We expect a mixed sentiment to continue positioning in fundamentally sound stocks and profit- taking, as rallying oil price supports economic and market fundamentals.
"Also, investors are targeting dividend- paying stocks as they reposition portfolio ahead of the fourth quarter of 2021 and full- year audited earnings reports that may start hitting the market any moment from now.
"With all eyes on MPC meeting outcome, as inflation reversed up to 15.62 per cent and other economic data, also noteworthy is the oil price that remains above $ 74 projection of IMF at $ 88.22, while the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is calling for a hike in interest rate and further devaluation of Naira. We expect a mixed sentiment to continue positioning in fundamentally sound stocks and profit- taking," he said.
Vetiva Dealing and Brokerage said: "This week, the market was lifted by trades in names like Seplat, Transcorp and Dangote Cement while being dragged by sell pressure seen mostly in the insurance sector. We expect the latter to persist into next week amid profit- taking activities."
Cordros Capital said: "In the week ahead, we believe investors will be focused on the outcome of the MPC meeting to gain further clarity on the movement of yields in the FI market. Consequently, we expect a “choppy theme” as cautious trading will likely dominate the market.
"Notwithstanding, we advise investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro story remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings."