Nigeria | Out of Options Amid Economic Slump, Nigeria Abandons Naira Peg

Nigeria | Out of Options Amid Economic Slump, Nigeria Abandons Naira Peg

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Battered by the oil plunge, starved of foreign currency and with the economy headed into recession, Africa’s second-biggest crude producer said Wednesday it will allow the naira to float, setting the stage for the currency to weaken. Free trade in the naira, set for Monday, will mark the end of more than a year of resistance by President Muhammadu Buhari, who reiterated his opposition to devaluation as recently as two…

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Commodity | Trafigura Profit Boosted by Angola Buying Dormant Iron Ore Mine

Commodity | Trafigura Profit Boosted by Angola Buying Dormant Iron Ore Mine

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Trafigura Group Pte’s first-half profit was boosted through a deal where the Angolan government paid millions of dollars for a dormant iron ore project, allowing the trading house to avoid a 50 percent drop in net income. The transaction, reported in a note in its earnings report earlier this month, enabled the Singapore-based trading house to book a one-time gain of almost $265 million in the six months to March…

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Crude Oil | OPEC Turmoil Could Turn IEA’s Balanced Market Into Shortfall

Crude Oil | OPEC Turmoil Could Turn IEA’s Balanced Market Into Shortfall

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: The world’s most prominent oil forecaster, the International Energy Agency, anticipates near-equilibrium between supply and demand in global crude markets next year. If OPEC members can’t resolve some massive output disruptions, that will turn into a significant shortfall. World oil production in 2017 will very nearly match consumption, ending several years of oversupply, the Paris-based IEA forecast on June 14. For that to happen, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries would have to…

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Crude Oil Price Falls Sixth Day as Easing Disruptions Offset U.S. Stock Drop

Crude Oil Price Falls Sixth Day as Easing Disruptions Offset U.S. Stock Drop

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Oil fell a sixth day, heading for the longest run of declines since February on speculation that easing global supply disruptions will offset a decline in U.S. crude stockpiles and production. Futures dropped as much as 1.7 percent in New York, sliding in tandem with industrial metals and global equities, after losing 6.3 percent the previous five sessions. Output in Canada is expected to ramp up this month after wildfires cut production. U.S….

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Egypt Approves Tougher Penalties on Black Market Dollar Traders

Egypt Approves Tougher Penalties on Black Market Dollar Traders

CAIRO, Egypt, Capital Markets in Africa: Egypt approved tougher measures against illegal foreign currency traders as authorities seek to ease dollar shortages that are contributing to economic weakness. The government increased jail time for black market trading to as long as 10 years and raised fines, the cabinet said in an e-mailed statement. Other amendments to the central bank law give the governor the authority to suspend currency bureaus’ licenses and impose fines for violations. The…

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Oil Climbs to 10-Month High as Falling U.S. Supplies Trim Glut

Oil Climbs to 10-Month High as Falling U.S. Supplies Trim Glut

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Oil advanced to the highest level in more than 10 months as weekly U.S. industry data showed crude stockpiles declined, reducing a glut. Futures rose 1.3 percent in New York after climbing 3.6 percent the previous two sessions to close above $50 a barrel Tuesday for the first time since July. Inventories fell by 3.57 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. Repair work on a…

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Market Watch | Emerging Markets Climb for Fifth Day on Higher Oil, China Data

Market Watch | Emerging Markets Climb for Fifth Day on Higher Oil, China Data

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Emerging-market stocks rose for a fifth day with currencies as crude oil extended gains above $50 a barrel and Chinese trade data bolstered confidence the world’s second-biggest economy was stabilizing. Equity valuations rose to a one-year high as commodity producers led shares to the longest winning streak in two months. South Africa’s rand, Brazil’s real and Russia’s ruble helped lift a gauge of currencies to a one-month high. Chinese stocks in Hong Kong…

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