Stocks drop to 9-month low on mixed earnings, political risk

Stocks dropped to a more than ninemonth low, yesterday, at the end of trading at the Nigeria Stock Exchange hurt by mixed second-quarter earnings and worries about political risk in the run-up to next year’s presidential election.

The stock index fell for the fifth straight session, down 0.4 percent to 36,154 points. Stocks have fallen 5.1 percent so far this year, after climbing 42 percent last year.

Second-quarter earnings have been mixed, with most lenders posting declines in loan growth, citing a weak economy, while several consumer goods’ companies have recorded lower profits.

Newly-listed fertiliser firm Notore reported a wider loss before taxes for the nine months to June. Its shares have dropped 8.8 percent in the week after listing.

Political developments ahead of an election next year, in which President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking re-election, have also dented investor sentiment, analysts say.

“Recent declines have been concentrated on a few large-cap stocks. Pressure on Nigerian Breweries may be on the back disappointing earnings, but of slightly H1’18 Dangote Cement numbers were in line with expectations,” said Michael Famoroti, chief economist at Vetiva Capital.

Last week, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s third most senior elected official, defected from Buhari’s ruling party to the main opposition and is fast becoming a leading critic of the president.

Top decliners were FBN Holdings, Fidelity Bank, Transcorp, Diamond Bank and FCMB, all down more than 4 percent. Nigerian Breweries, the local unit of Dutch brewer Heineken, shed 2.9 percent. (Reuters)