As the nation grapples with economic hardship and the shrinking of the middle-class, it has become imperative to explore untapped opportunities.

Whether it is leveraging the booming real estate sector, or investing in emerging technologies through innovative companies, there are practical ways to build wealth and achieve financial independence amidst these challenges.

Here’s how you can grow your income in Nigeria today:

1.   Treasury Bills (T-Bills):

Risk level: Low

Potential returns: 2 – 15%

Treasury bills are short-term debt instruments issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

T-bill is typically lending money to the government for a short period of time, it could be 91 days, 182 days or 364 days, and earning profit on it through the discount issued.

For instance, you buy a treasury bills of N1,000,000 with a maturity period of 91 days at a discount rate, you will pay less than N1,000,000 (e.g, N975,000). At the end of the 91 days, you will receive the full N1,000,000, earning a profit of N25,000.

Why invest in treasury bills?

Short-term investment: The maturities range from 91 days, to 364 days.

Low risk: T-bills are backed by the Nigerian government, making them risk-free.

Discounted Purchase: T-bills are issued at a discount, and the difference between the purchase price and the face value is the profit.

Fixed returns: The returns are already determined during purchase and not affected by market fluctuations.

How to invest in treasury bills

Open a CSCS account: You need to open a Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account and bank account to trade treasury bills.

Choose a stockbroker: Research and select a licensed broker. Most commercial banks and brokers facilitate T-bill purchase.

Participate in the Auction: Select T-bills according to your financial goals from the available investment options

2. Bonds:

Risk level: Low to medium

Potential returns: 10 – 15% annually

Bonds are fixed-income securities that involve lending money to a borrower (government or company), in exchange for periodic interest payments and repayment of the principal amount at the end of the bond’s term.

Why invest in bonds:

Steady income: Bonds pay regular interest, providing a predictable and steady income flow.

Low risk: Government bonds are one of the safest investments as it is backed by the government.

Capital preservation: Your capital is returned at the end of the bond term, without default.

How to invest in bonds

Choose a bond type: The Federal government of Nigeria bonds are known for safety, while corporate bonds could provide higher returns, choose base on your goal and risk level.

Open a CSCS account: The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account can be opened through a broker or financial institution.

Find a broker: Research and select a licensed broker.

Invest in bonds: You can invest in FGN bonds through participation in monthly auctions via the Debt Management Office, or buy from the secondary market.

3. Mutual Funds:

Risk Level: Low to medium

Potential returns : 5% to 25% annually depending on fund type

Mutual fund is a group investment where professionals gather a pool of funds from many investors and invest it in different financial assets like stocks, bonds, treasury bills, or bonds, depending on the fund’s goal and it is managed by a professional fund manager.

It is just like teaming up with others to invest, with an expert guiding where the money goes.

Why invest in mutual funds?

Affordability: Investment in mutual funds does not necessarily require large sum as some mutual funds allow investments as low as N5,000

Liquidity: It is relatively easy to withdraw funds when needed.

Professional Management and Diversification: It is managed by a professional and the funds are spread across different assets, reducing the risk of losing all.

How to Invest in Mutual Funds?

Understand your goals: Are you saving for school fees, retirement or a short-term project choose mutual funds that align with your goal.

Select funds according to your risk level: Compare funds based on performance, fees, and risk levels.

Register with trusted asset managers.

Monitor your investments: Keep track of funds performance, though it may grow slowly over time.

4. Dollar-Denominated Investment:

Risk level: Low to medium

Potential returns: 7 – 20% annually

Investing in dollar-denominated investment provides a hedge against naira depreciation, as its value is tied to the dollar.

Examples of dollar-denominated investments are eurobonds ( these are bonds issued in foreign currencies, especially the U.S dollar), dollar mutual funds, U.S stocks and assets.

These investments allow Nigerians to earn returns in U.S dollars, offering a reliable way to grow wealth in a volatile economy.

Why invest in dollar-denominated investments:

Hedge against naira depreciation: It protects your investment against naira depreciation.

High returns: Some dollar investments offer higher returns than naira-based investments.

Access to the global market: It provides access to international markets and opportunities.

How to invest in dollar-denominated asset

Open a dollar account: You can use a domiciliary account or licensed fintech apps.

Choose investment type: Decide between eurobonds, stocks, mutual funds, or real estate based on your goals and risk intolerance.

Fund your account in dollars: Change naira to dollars through your bank or Bureau De Change (BDC).

Invest: Buy assets of your choice.

5. Stocks:

Risk Level: Medium to high

Potential returns: 10 – 50% annually

Investing in stocks, also called shares or equities, means buying a portion of ownership in a company. For instance, a company has 100,000 shares and you own 1,000 shares, that means you have 1% ownership in the company.

As the company you invest in grows, your investment appreciates. It is important to note that the stock market can be highly volatile, therefore, if the shares of the company falls, your investment shrinks.

Why invest in stocks?

Aside from capital appreciation, you can also make money from the stocks you own through dividends and bonus shares, without selling the shares.

Some companies pay part of their profits to shareholders at the end of the financial year or interim dividend.

While some companies could decide to reinvest part of their profit to create new shares and then reward shareholders with these extra shares as bonus.

Also, stocks have higher growth potential compared to savings or fixed deposits.

How to invest in stocks

Choose a stockbroker: Research and select a licensed broker

Open a CSCS account: This is a Central Securities Clearing System account.  Investors have to be registered on the CSCS to participate in the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Research and Invest in companies: Understand the financial performance and prospects of companies you want to invest in.

Monitor your investment: The Nigerian Exchange Group and stockbrokers on companies provide information valuable for tracking a stock’s performance.

The post Means of Growing Your Income in Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

That said, with costs continuing to rise sharply, some companies were reluctant to hire additional staff and employment increased only marginally.

The headline figure derived from the survey is the Stanbic IBTC Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show a deterioration.

The headline PMI rose to 53.7 in February from 52.0 in January, signalling a solid monthly improvement in business conditions, and one that was the most pronounced since January 2024.

Muyiwa Oni, head of Equity Research West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank commented:

“Activity in Nigeria’s private sector improved for the third consecutive month with the latest PMI reading of 53.7 points in February at its highest level since January 2024 (54.5 points). A relatively stable exchange rate and moderation in fuel prices are supporting the ease in inflationary pressures, which in turn helped strengthen consumer demand in the month.

Thus, new orders increased for the fourth consecutive month, with survey participants noting a greater desire on the part of customers to commit to new projects.

In line with the increase in new orders, output also increased sharply in February as the output index settled at 56.9 points from 53.7 points in January. That said, input price inflation eased further in February to its weakest level since April 2024. However, about 39.0% of respondents increased their output prices in the month, with less than 1.0% lowering their charges.

“Nigeria’s real GDP growth improved further in Q4:24, rising by 3.84% y/y, from 3.46% y/y in Q3:24. Growth in Q4:24 was the highest since Q4:21 when this economy grew by 3.98% y/y in real terms. Q4:24 GDP now brings 2024 full-year growth to 3.40%, from 2.74% in 2023, supported by both the oil and the non-oil sectors. In terms of contributions to the overall GDP growth in Q4:24, Services continue to dominate with a 79.0% contribution to the country’s GDP growth (same as Q3:24), followed by Agriculture with an 11.9% contribution while Industries contributed the remaining 9.0% of the real GDP growth in the review quarter.

“The non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy is now poised to improve further in 2025 as the lingering FX stability and improved FX liquidity bodes well for the real sector activities, including manufacturing, trade and real estate. This, in addition to the anticipated reduction in borrowing costs should further support the growth of the non-oil sector in 2025.

Accordingly, we project the non-oil sector to grow by 3.4% y/y in 2025. Therefore, we still expect the Nigerian economy to grow by 3.5% y/y in real terms in 2025 with the Q1:25 growth print forecasted to settle at 3.55% y/y.”

The health of the private sector has now strengthened in three consecutive months. Output increased for the third month running in February.

Moreover, the latest expansion was sharp and the fastest since January 2024, according to the PMI report. Respondents linked the rise in activity to higher sales amid an improving demand environment.

Output was up in agriculture, manufacturing, services and wholesale & retail, although in wholesale & retail the rise was only fractional.

New orders also increased at a marked pace, with the latest rise the most pronounced in just over a year. Customers were reportedly more willing to commit to new projects.

Signs of strengthening demand coincided with moderating inflationary pressures. Overall input costs increased at the slowest pace in ten months, although the pace of inflation remained elevated amid higher prices for raw materials and a rise in staff costs that was the sharpest since March 2024.

In fact, cost pressures acted to limit the pace of job creation in February. Employment rose only marginally and at the slowest pace in three months, despite marked expansions in output and new orders. Nevertheless, backlogs of work ticked down.

In line with the picture for input costs, the pace of output price inflation remained sharp in February, but eased to a seven-month low.

While employment rose only marginally, companies ramped up their input buying during the month, with the pace of growth the steepest since May 2023.

Stocks of purchases also increased at a faster pace. Despite rising demand for inputs, suppliers’ delivery times shortened to the greatest extent in seven months as prompt payments led to the speedy delivery of goods.

Although companies were optimistic that output will increase further over the next 12 months, sentiment dipped in February and was below the series average.

Plans to expand businesses through the opening of new plants and increased export operations were among the factors supporting optimism.

The post Nigeria: FX Stability Boosts Private Sector Activities as PMI Rises to 53.7 in February appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Furthermore, the All-Share Index further dips by 0.33 percent to 101,707.70 points, as the market capitalization dropped by the same percentage to N 55.652tn as the year-to-date gain of the index slipped to 36.02 percent.

The negative result of the ASI also impacted the sectoral indices as three out of the five sub-sectors recorded adverse movements.

The downturn upturn was driven by price depreciation in large and Medium capitalize stocks among which are; Guinness stocks, PZ Cussons, Zenith Bank, Nigerian Breweries, United Bank for Africa, Lafarge, GTCO, FBN Holdings, Etranzact, CWG and Wema Bank. On the price movement chart, 24 stocks appreciated in price while 30 constituted the loser’s chart.

The Banking index led the losers with a 1.85 percent decline, driven by sell pressure in Unity Bank, Wema Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Zenith Bank Plc.

The Consumer and Industrial Goods indexes lost 0.22 percent and 0.10 percent, respectively, majorly due to share price decline in PZ, Cussons, Guinness Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries and Lafarge Africa.

Meanwhile, the Insurance and Oil/Gas sectors advanced by 1.13 percent and 0.09 percent, respectively.

Stocks trading activity on the NGX displayed a varied trend, with the total deals and value declining by 1.16 percent and 16.09 percent to 8,614 trades and N4.3bn, respectively; In terms of Volume transactions declined, by 20.76 million, representing 8.56 percent as investors traded 263.192 million shares valued at N.300 billion in 8614 deals against 42.432 million shares worth N5.3 billion exchanged hands the previous day in 8715 deals.

The stocks gainers included Honeywell Flour Mill, Juli Plc, and Cornerstone Insurance, whose share prices appreciated by 9.92 percent, 9.90, and 9.88 percent, respectively. Whilst VeritasKap emerged as the most traded security in terms of volume with 49.07 million units changing hands in 143 deals, while UBA led in traded value at N587.50m.

At the close of trading, there were more losers at 30 than gainers which were 24 securities.

The post Stocks: Equity Market Loses N184bn, as Index Dips Further by 0.3% appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The market capitalisation dropped to N55.735 trillion from N57.158 trillion the stock market opened for trading, representing a N1.42 trillion or 2.49 per cent week-on-week (WoW) decline.

Accordingly, the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) declined by 2.45 per cent WoW to close at 101,858.37 basis points from 104,421.23 basis points.

Consequently, the stock market Month-till-Date (MtD) and Year-till-Date (YtD) returns moderated to +0.7per cent and +36.2per cent, respectively.

Last week witnessed a notable correction in the local bourse, marking the first downturn in 16 weeks, propelled by sell sentiments particularly from institutional investors. The motive behind this shift in sentiment appears to be portfolio rebalancing for safety.

This adjustment precedes the expectations set for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting this month and follows the recent surge in treasury rates to a nearly seven-year high.

This portends that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is signaling a return to orthodox monetary policy tools to curb inflation and the move to entice foreign investors back into Nigeria’s economy adds to the backdrop.

However, the sectoral performance exhibited a negative trend. The NGX Banking and NGX Industrial indices led the losses, declining by 6.86 per cent and 4.16 per cent, respectively.

Also, NGX Insurance, NGX Oil & Gas, and NGX Consumer Goods indices recorded a weekly loss of 1.48 per cent, 0.40 per cent and 0.14 per cent.

The market breadth for the week was negative as 20 equities appreciated in price, 68 equities depreciated in price, while 66 equities remained unchanged. Meyer led the gainers table by 60.70 per cent to close at N6.91, per share.

Juli followed with a gain of 44.29 per cent to close at N1.01, while Geregu Power went up by 19.00 per cent to close to N675.90, per share.

On the other side, Eterna led the decliners table by 18.78 per cent to close at N17.95, per share. Abbey Mortgage Bank followed with a loss of 18.39 per cent to close at N2.44, while Unity Bank declined by 17.79 per cent to close at N2.31, per share.

Overall, a total turnover of 2.478 billion shares worth N47.856 billion in 54,982 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 3.893 billion shares valued at N95.147 billion that exchanged hands prior week in 69,117 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.687 billion shares valued at N28.514 billion traded in 25,751 deals; contributing 68.10 per cent and 59.58 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with 210.272 million shares worth N2.988 billion in 4,419 deals, while the Oil and Gas Industry traded a turnover of 203.777 million shares worth N2.139 billion in 4,544 deals.

Analysts on the Nigerian capital market stated that the current bearish trend is expected to persist as investors seek refuge in fixed-income instruments amid dividend expectations.

In the new week, analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited anticipated “the current bearish trend to persist as investors seek refuge in fixed -income instruments due to the high yields as seen recently amid dividend expectations and high market volatility ahead of the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the NBS and the impending Monetary Policy Committee meeting this February.

The post NGX: Market Cap Drops by N1.42tn WoW appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The market breadth was positive , as there were 61 gainers, against 12 losers, whilst the  market’s bullish performance was led by Dangote Sugar which gained 7.17%, and banking stocks which recorded remarkable gains.

In terms of trading volume, there was a 26% increase to 943.51 million units from Thursday’s  749.13 million units. And in terms of trading value, there was a 97% increase to N23.48 billion, from Thursday’s N12.16 billion.

Furthermore, Trading activities in the past week  also ended on a positive note with investors gaining about N1.12tn, as  companies begin to reel out their financials.

Again,  both the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index and market capitalization appreciated by 1.97per cent and 2 per cent to close the week at  N57.16tn. Despite recording two days of bearish trading, which resulted in a combined loss of N1.93bn.

Investors reacted strongly to early filers of annual reports, which led to heightened trading volumes and mostly positive market breadth.

The resurgence of buying interest, particularly in banking stocks, propelled the market past the 104,000 thresholds.

The market year-to-date return improved to 39.7 per cent, on a sectoral basis, the performance for the week displayed a mixed picture, with three out of the five sectors experiencing declines.

However, banking and insurance indexes retreated by 4.52 per cent and 4.07 per cent, respectively, due to price drops in Guaranty Trust Bank Company Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Royal Exchange Plc and NEM Insurance.

The Oil & Gas index dipped due to waning sentiment in Eterna, resulting in a 2.47 per cent decline.

On a positive note, the Industrial index closed out the week in the green zone as it recorded a 6.36 per cent week-on-week gain, driven by increased prices and buying interest in Dangote Cement and BUA Cement.

The Consumer Goods Index also ended the week positively, rising by 1.30 per cent, fuelled by upward price movements in Meyer Plc and McNichols.

Investors exchanged 3.893 billion units of shares worth N95.15bn in 69,117 deals, higher than 2.981 billion shares valued at N57.87bn that traded the previous week in 67,962 deals.

The financial services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.640 billion shares valued at N47.65bn traded in 31,929 deals; thus contributing 67.81 per cent and 50.08 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.

The oil and gas industry followed with 347.962 million shares worth N4.064bn in 5,972 deals and the conglomerates industry came third with a turnover of 337.682 million shares worth N4.709bn in 5,493 deals.

Market Indices  

NGX All-Share Index: 104,421.23 points

% Day Change: +1.57%

Day’s Lowest: 102,804.77 points

Day’s Highest: 104,590.52 points

% YTD: +39.65%

Market Cap: N57.16 trillion

Volume Traded: 943.51 million units

Value Traded: N23.48 billion

Top Gainers  

TRANSCORP: +10.00% to close at N15.40

STERLINGNG: +10.00% to close at N6.60

NEIMETH: +10.00% to close at N2.09

PZ: +9.97% to close at N36.40

MEYER: +9.97% to close at N4.30

CADBURY:  +9.89% to close at N20.00

Top Losers

JOHNHOLT: -10.00% to close at N2.43

MORISON: -9.76% to close at N3.05

NEM: -8.22% to close at N0.67

DEAPCAP: -8.22% to close at N0.67

LASACO: -5.20% to close at N2.55

ROYALEX: -5.06% to close at N0.75

Top Traded Stocks 

In terms of trading volume, FBNH (+9.85%) led with 338.84 million units, followed by GTCO (+2.09%) with 80.61 million units, TRANSCORP (+10.00%) with 54.98 million units, UBA (+4.48%) with 49.56 million units, and ACCESSCORP (+8.22%) with 38.82 million units.

Concerning value, FBNH (+9.85%) led with N8.88 billion, followed by GTCO (+2.09%) with N3.34 billion, NESTLE (+0.92%) with N2.10 billion, UBA (+4.48%) with N1.42 billion, and ZENITHBANK (+2.33%) with N1.26 billion.

The post NGX ASI hits 104,421.23 Points as Earning Season Drives Equity Market to N1tn Last Week appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The NGX All-Share Index and the market capitalisation rose by 0.57 per cent to close at 102,149.93 points and N55.900tn, respectively.

The year-to-date gains of the benchmark index also rose to 36.61 per cent from 35.82 per cent at the end of the previous trading session.

In terms of participation in the market, the key factors such as deals, volume and value of traded units ended up in the green zone.

That is, Trading volume, UBA (+1.34%) led with 74.88 million units, followed by TRANSCORP (-0.76%) with 34.19 million units, STERLINGNG (-0.78%) with 33.07 million units, JAPAULGOLD (+9.80%) with 31.93 million units, and ACCESSCORP (+0.35%) with 27.50 million units.

While  the trading value, UBA (+1.34%) led with N2.25 billion, followed by GTCO (+2.46%) with N957.62 million, SEPLAT (+10.00%) with N820.64 million, ACCESSCORP (+0.35%) with N788.68 million, and ZENITHBANK (+1.42%) with N639.24 million.

Trading sentiment was positive for stocks worth over N1 trillion as SEPLAT (+10.00%), GTCO (+2.46%), ACCESSCORP (+0.35%), UBA (+1.34%), ZENITHBANK (+1.42%), and GEREGU (+5.39%) recorded price gains, while Transcorp Hotels (-1.2%) recorded a price decline.

Other members of the SWOOT category, AIRTELAFRI, BUACEMENT, BUAFOODS, DANGCEM, and MTNN recorded no price change.  FBNH recorded a 1.17% price decline in continuation of its bearish run.

Recall that the market cap crossed 100,000 basis points on Wednesday. The value of traded equities improved by 28.19 per cent to N10.302bn, while the traded volume appreciated by 3.21 per cent to 504.194 million units.

While the number of deals executed on the exchange stood at 12,235, marking a 1.28 per cent increase over the previous day’s figure.

Import to note is the fact that, Seplat Energy Plc has become the equity with the highest price tag on the NGX, closing at N3,074 per unit on Thursday.

The local oil exploration firm, which is listed also on the London Stock Exchange, has a market cap of N1.809tn.

It gained 4.82 per cent to close trading at 143.60 British Pound Sterling at London Stock Exchange.

The next equity with a high price tag is Airtel Africa at N2,000 per unit with a market cap worth N7.516tn.

Here is the Market Indices

NGX All-Share Index: 102,149.93 points

% Day Change: +0.57%

Day’s Lowest: 101,470.48 points

Day’s Highest: 102,149.93 points

% YTD: +36.61%

Market Cap: N55.90 trillion

Volume Traded: 504.19 million units

Value Traded: N10.30 billion

Top Gainers

SEPLAT: +10.00% to close at N3074.60

UNIVINSURE: +10.00% to close at N1.34

AIICO: +9.84% to close at N1.34

JAPAULGOLD: +9.80% to close at N2.80

MAYBAKER: +9.77% to close at N7.30

NEM: +9.72% to close at N7.90

Top Losers

IKEJAHOTEL: -9.91% to close at N7.18

HONYFLOUR: -9.70% to close at N4.47

LINKASSURE: -8.40% to close at N1.20

UPDCREIT: -8.06% to close at N5.70

MCNICHOLS: -7.53% to close at N1.35

CORNERST: -7.06% to close at N1.58

The post Insurance Firms, Seplat Drive NGX to N317bn Gain appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

According to a recent study, Shell (LSE: SHEL) is Nigeria’s most searched UK stock, with over 670 monthly searches.

There are over an estimated 4,700 monthly searches for UK stocks in Nigeria.

The study, by UK financial services provider CMC Markets, analysed Google search data for over 250 top UK stocks in the most populated countries and found that Shell, Ashtead and GlobalData were the top three searches in Nigeria.

One in five Nigeria-based searches for UK stocks is for oil and gas companies, twice greater than the global average of one in 12.

Oil and gas company Shell, which recently announced record profits of $40 billion, is the most popular stock in Nigeria, with 670 monthly searches. Searches for Shell make up over 1 in 50 average monthly global searches for UK stocks.

Shell announced record-breaking profits last week as fuel prices soar amid a cost of living crisis driven by several global and domestic factors.

Industrial equipment company Ashtead is the second most Googled UK stock in Nigeria, receiving over 500 monthly searches.

Data analytics company GlobalData (LSE: DATA) is Nigeria’s second most Googled UK stock. The majority of searches are to buy DATA stock.

BP, which recently announced record profits of $28 billion, is the fourth most popular UK stock in Nigeria with over 350 monthly searches.

The multinational oil and gas company is the most searched globally, including countries such as Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Iraq, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Turkey, and Vietnam.

BP (LSE: BP) is also the most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States and has the highest monthly search volume out of any UK stock, over 994,000. Search volume is primarily driven by the United Kingdom and the United States traffic, making up nearly nine in ten (88%) global searches for BP stock.

Anglo American (LSE: AAL), a mining company, is Nigeria’s fifth most searched UK stock. The country has an estimated 230 monthly searches for Anglo American stock.

The study reveals over 4,700 estimated monthly searches for UK stocks in Nigeria.

A spokesman from CMC Markets commented:

“There are over 16.6 million estimated monthly searches for UK stocks worldwide, with just over one in four searches coming from outside the UK.

These findings highlight Shell’s global reach and popularity as a publicly traded company. The high search volume for these stocks indicates strong consumer interest in oil and gas companies and their financial performance.

It is also worth noting that the average monthly search volume for these stocks indicates consumer sentiment toward the stock. Investors should take note of the high search volume for the top five stocks in Nigeria, as this may indicate strong potential for growth in these companies.

The study provides valuable insight into consumer sentiment toward UK stocks internationally. The findings of the study can help investors make more informed decisions when it comes to investing in UK stocks”.

This study was conducted by CMC Markets, a UK-based financial services company that offers online trading in shares, spread betting, contracts for difference and foreign exchange across world markets.

The post Nigeria’s Most Searched UK Stocks Revealed appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.