A Professor of Finance & Capital Market, Uche Joe Uwaleke has advised investors to take advantage of the prevailing low equities pricing in the Nigerian stocks market to boost their investment opportunities. Uwaleke, who is also the head, Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, gave the advice on Wednesday in Lagos, as guest lecturer at the Capital Market Correspondent’s Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN), quarterly forum.Citing higher earnings opportunities in the Nigerian stock market, Unalike expressed optimism that the stock market would rebound in the third quarter.Uwaleke, who lectured on the theme ‘Stock Market in the first quarter 2019 and post-election prospects” explained that the Nigerian market which ranked as the world’s third most rewarding market in 2017, ranking only after Turkey and Argentina, and became bearish subsequently, is poised to enter into another bullish era. On the factors that will drive the market in the third quarter, Uwaleke explained that unfolding internal and external factors would impact the equities market positively.According to him, swearing in of the newly elected president and early constitution of cabinet members, lowering Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), increase in minimum wage, increase in oil price and continued stability in foreign exchange (FX) would impact on the market.Uwaleke who also double as the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Abuja branch, President listed other factors that will drive stock market’s reversal in third quarter to include, continued moderation in inflation, steady growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), early signing of 2019 budget and implementation, improved growth in the non oil sector amongst others, adding that “all these projections are higher than what we saw in 2018” He said that the planned introduction of derivative instruments in the market by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), of which preparations have reached advanced stage at both SEC and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), would help investors both foreign and indigenous investors to hedge their investments. “The NSE is really waiting for SEC to finalise the rule for the derivatives to be introduced, it will give investors room to hedge risks”, Uwaleke said. He said that the CBN’s MPC triggered the market supportive move in March 2019, by bringing down MPR by 50bps, after 33 successive months, to 13.50 per cent from 14 per cent, adding that he sees prospects of further reduction in the MPR soon.“Lower MPR will free funds for investments or lending to firms for expansion which will improve their earnings and deliver more value to investors. It has a way of attracting investors, opening the market and hedging risks”, he stated. According to him, the expected listing of MTN, is expected to boost market liquidity, diversify offerings as the company will become the second most capitalised company in the market after Dangote Cement Plc.
