Finance Friday- Policy Shifts, Strategic Expansions and Oil Market Moves Drive Investment Momentum
Ranora Daily - Your daily source for reliable market analysis and news.
Market Overview
Good Evening and welcome to this edition of our newsletter, where we unpack key Nigerian and global developments shaping today’s investment landscape. This issue highlights major policy reforms in Nigeria, strategic corporate moves, and global market signals influencing capital flows. Expect concise insights on regulation, infrastructure, technology, and commodities that matter to investors.
Nigerian News & Market Update
OPEC+ Considers Oil Output Raise By 137,000bpd For April:
OPEC+ is considering raising crude oil output by 137,000 barrels per day in April to resume production increases after a pause and respond to summer demand and market conditions ahead of its March 1 meeting. - Leadership
UK-backed Lebara enters Nigeria’s telecom market:
UK-backed telecom operator Lebara Nigeria has officially entered Nigeria’s telecommunications market as a licensed mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), aiming to offer affordable, globally connected digital services with full interconnectivity ahead of commercial operations. - Punch
Access Holdings appoints Chief Financial Officer:
Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Emeka Anthony Ogbechie as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing over two decades of global financial services experience to strengthen the company’s financial leadership. - Dailytrust
NSC unveils 24-hour export process to boost AfCFTA Trade:
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has introduced a 24-hour export process to help speed up export procedures and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). - Dailytrust
Champion Breweries Acquires Bullet Portfolio, Expands Into 14 African Markets:
Champion Breweries has completed its acquisition of the Bullet brand portfolio from Sun Mark, securing rights to products sold in 14 African markets and accelerating its strategic expansion into a diversified, pan-African beverage platform. - Leadership
Nigeria Sectoral Indices Performance
The market closed slightly lower in the short term, with the NGX 30 down 0.45% and the NSE ASI falling 0.38% for the day, while Industrial Goods led losses at -2.44%. However, overall momentum remains strong year-to-date, led by Oil & Gas (+52.07%), Lotus Index (+43.35%), and Premium Board (+38.55%), reflecting sustained investor confidence despite recent pullbacks.
Fixed Income (FGN Bonds)
Global News & Market Update
Xiaomi launches safety advisory committee after EV accidents in China:
Chinese EV maker Xiaomi has launched a safety advisory committee to review and improve the safety of its electric vehicles after a series of high-profile accidents raised concern. - Reuters
Spain’s Acciona hires bank to examine options for energy business:
Spain’s Acciona has hired a bank to review strategic options for its energy unit, including keeping it listed, delisting it or merging it with another company. -Reuters
US copper mountain still growing after December import surge:
U.S. refined copper imports surged again in December, pushing inventories even higher and leaving a growing copper mountain of stockpiled metal as trade and tariff uncertainty continues to shape the market. - Reuters
OpenAI's $110 billion funding round draws investment from Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank:
Amazon will invest $50 billion in AI company OpenAI as part of a massive funding round, deepening its partnership and giving its cloud unit AWS a key role in powering OpenAI’s enterprise AI platform. - Reuters
Indices, Commodities & Currencies
Global equities closed broadly lower, with the DJIA down 1.65% (-815 pts), S&P 500 -0.92%, NASDAQ 100 -0.77%, and Russell 2000 -1.90%, reflecting risk-off sentiment. European markets were mildly weaker (DAX -0.13%, Euro Stoxx 50 -0.56%), while the VIX rose 5.39% to 20.82, indicating higher volatility. In commodities, oil strengthened (WTI +2.81% to $67.04, Brent +2.78% to $72.81), while metals were mixed with Gold +1.20%, Silver +5.98%, and Platinum +5.92%, but Copper -1.25%. Soft commodities were mostly weaker (Cocoa -5.24%), grains mixed, and currencies relatively stable with slight dollar softness. Overall, markets reflect cautious sentiment, rising volatility, and strength in energy and precious metals.
Fixed Income (USA Bonds)
Event
Conclusion
Looking ahead, Nigeria’s push for digital procurement, faster exports, and telecom expansion signals improving market efficiency and private-sector participation, while global investments in AI, energy restructuring, and commodities point to heightened volatility and opportunity. Investors should watch for policy execution in Nigeria, capital rotation into technology and infrastructure, and price movements driven by global supply dynamics. Together, these trends may define near-term risk appetite and medium-term growth opportunities across emerging and developed markets.
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