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IMF Executive Board Concludes 2010 Article IV Consultation with Nigeria
February 17, 2011--On February 11, 2011, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Nigeria.1
Background
Nigeria has weathered the global economic recession and its own domestic banking crisis reasonably well. Economic growth in the first half of 2010 remained above 7½ percent and is expected to reach about 8½ percent for the whole year on the back of a recovery in oil production and continued strong growth in other sectors.
However, inflation has been stuck in the low double digits for the past two years and foreign reserves have been falling as the Central Bank of Nigeria has focused on maintaining exchange rate stability and low interest rates.
The fiscal stimulus intensified in 2010, notwithstanding the already solid growth performance and high inflation. After rising by 10 percent in 2009, consolidated public spending increased by 37 percent in 2010. The non-oil primary deficit has increased by 5 percentage points to 32 percent of non-oil GDP. Despite world oil prices well in excess of the budget benchmark price, the government spent all current oil revenues and drew on savings in the Excess Crude Account, at a time when stabilization called for a rebuilding of buffers. Despite high inflation, the CBN reduced the rate on its standing deposit facility. In response to pressure on the currency, the CBN sold reserves rather than raise interest rate or let the exchange rate depreciate. The CBN recently raised interest rates, but short-term real interest rates remain negative.
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Source: IMF
Bonds stay firm on rand
February 17, 2011--South African bonds remained firm in late trade on Thursday, on the back of a strong currency and local and foreign demand.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.720% from its previous close of 7.770%, while the R207 was trading at 8.470% from its previous close of 8.460%. The R186 was trading at 8.630% from 8.635%.
The rand was bid at 7.2234 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.2433.
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Source: FIN24
Rudderless JSE ends in the red
February 17, 2011--The JSE ended marginally in the red on Thursday lacking any clear direction with a trader noting that it shrugged off slightly worse than expected US economic data.
"There were no strong moves today to provide clear direction," he said.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds remain firm on rand and CPI
February 16, 2011--South African bonds remained firm in in late trade on Wednesday on the back of a stronger rand and a relief rally after CPI data came in better than market expectation.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.770% from its previous close of 7.800%, while the R207 was bid at 8.470% from its previous close of 8.480%. The R186 was trading at 8.620% from 8.640%.
The rand was bid at 7.2807 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.3169.
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Source: FIN24
Resources pull down JSE
February 16, 2011--The JSE finished lower on Wednesday, dragged down by heavy-weight resources stocks, especially BHP Billiton [JSE:BIL]. The benchmark all-share index lost just over 280 points, with resource index dropping close to 2%.
"BHP Billiton, Anglo American JSE:AGL] and Sasol [JSE:SOL] pulled the entire benchmark index down," said Kevin Algeo, portfolio manager at Imara SP Reid
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Source: FIN24
Côte d'Ivoire Government Takes Control Of Regional Securities Exchange
February 16, 2011--The Côte d'Ivoire Government has taken on February 9, 2011 a measure of requisition of the Regional Council for Public Savings and Financial Markets, the regional securities exchange and central depository / Settlement Bank to preserve the smooth functioning of financial institutions.
The measure puts these structures under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Consequently any decision concerning them other than those emanating from the Cote d'Ivoire Government are null and void.
Strict instructions were given to those responsible for these structures to ensure continuity of service.
The Government would like to ressure the investors, issuers, intermediation and management companies, custodian banks and all stakeholders of the Chartered Financial market that all technical and practices decisions have been taken for the effective resumption of the trading activities, settlement and execution of events on the values of Wednesday, February 16, 2011.
Source: African Capital Market News
Bonds treading water ahead of CPI
February 15, 2011--South African bonds were a touch firmer in late trade on Tuesday after a relatively well-bid auction earlier in the day. A local trader said the market was treading water ahead of key CPI (consumer price index) figures, which are due to be released on Wednesday.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.800% from its previous close of 7.805%, while the R207 was trading at its previous close of 8.480%. The R186 was bid at 8.655% from its previous close of 8.660%.
The rand was bid at 7.2899 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.2708.
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Source: FIN24
Poor economic data weigh on JSE
February 15, 2011--The JSE posted modest losses on Tuesday as global sentiments dampened the mood.
Globally, disappointing economic data from the US retail sales, China's inflation data and euro-zone gross domestic product figures were the main reasons for a mild sell-off on the local exchange, said Kevin Algeo, portfolio manager at Imara SP Reid.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds stay firm on improved sentiment
February 14, 2011-- South African bonds were firm in late trade on Monday, largely on the back of improved global risk sentiment following the resignation of Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak last Friday.
By 15:50, the benchmark R157 bond was trading at 7.800% from its previous close of 7.830%, while the R207 was trading at 8.430% from its previous close of 8.485%. The R186 was trading at 8.650% from 8.675%.
The rand was bid at 7.2737 to the dollar from its previous close of 7.2660.
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Source: AME Info
JSE firmer after hitting record
February 14, 2011--The JSE closed slightly firmer on Monday, pulling back a bit after reaching a record high earlier in the day.
Andrew Todd, a derivatives trader, said the local market experienced a "bout of short covering", which pushed the market to record highs.
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Source: FIN24
