Nigeria Content Online

The stock market ended the past week in the green zone with
gains that are mostly attributed to buying pressure of investors. The activity
during the three days of trading in the week was a continuation of the market’s
adopted pattern since the beginning of the year, as trades were dominated by
speculations that were followed by quick profit reaping transactions.

Last week was particularly eventful following the death of
President Musa Yar’Adua, as Goodluck Jonathan became the nation’s substantive
president. Also, the Asset Management Company (AMC) Bill was passed by the
Senate on Wednesday. The bill is expected to unburden banks from toxic waste
and free their balance sheet through purchase of the bad loans, thereby
enabling banks to play their financial intermediation role effectively. With
this new development, we expect further stability in the capital market.

Market review

Activities in the stock market have been upbeat since the
beginning of the year as investors renewed optimism in the equity market due
largely to hopes that recent measures by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and
other market regulatory bodies would sustain market recovery.

Positive earnings results of companies as released last week
reaffirmed hope for a sustained rebound, even as more investors had reasons to
turn positive and put money into the market.

In the past week, the NSE All-share index rose by 103 basis
points to close the week at 27,503.36 points.

Since the beginning of 2010, the market capitalisation has
gained more than 30 per cent. It closed on Friday at N6.65 trillion. Stocks
edged higher on Friday as investors looked to extend a strong run that has left
major indices up 0.38 per cent for the week. The current bullish trend should
continue in the months ahead. However, investors should exercise caution as the
market may witness minor correction phase.

During the week, both the market capitalisation and the NSE AS
Index gained 0.38 per cent respectively. So far, the market has recorded a
YTD-high market capitalisation of N6.78 trillion, representing a YTD yield of
33.33 per cent. Overall, the market traded a total of 1.75 billion units of
shares, valued at N17.11 billion in 25,710 deals.

The Banking sub-sector remains the most active (measured in
terms of traded volume) as it recorded 836.56 million shares valued at N9.42
billion exchanged in 11,033 deals while the Insurance sub-sector was second
with traded volume of 389.61 million shares valued at N349.39 million in 1,802
deals.

Corporate actions and
results

In the past week, ECOBANK Nigeria Plc released its full year
trading result to the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The company
declared a Gross Earnings of N59.864 billion representing an increase of 8.54
per cent from previous year’s trading result. The company also posted a Loss
After Tax of N4.588 billion.

Furthermore, ECOBANK also released its interim report for the
period ended 31st March, 2010 (First Quarter). A Gross Earnings of N13.703
billion was recorded, while a Profit After Tax of N1.071 billion was declared.

JULIUS BERGER Plc also released its interim report for the
period ended 31st March, 2010 (First Quarter) to the floor of the Nigerian
Stock Exchange. Julius Berger, which has 1.2 billion units of shares
outstanding, declared a Turnover of N31.414 billion and a Profit After Tax of
N780.959 million.

Similarly, JAPAUL Oil & Maritime Services Plc released its
interim report for the period ended 31st March, 2010 (First Quarter) to the
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The company, declared a Turnover of
N1.615 billion and a Profit After Tax of N425.515 million. The table below
shows full details of companies’ results and performances released during the
week.

Market outlook

Earnings projections of companies suggest that earnings should
continue to improve over the next couple of quarters. Earnings that exceed
expectations have been shown to be conducive to higher equity prices.

Given extremely low levels of interest rates, stock market activities will
surge higher, thereby creating more bullish sentiment.