Election uncertainties: NSE records 8% revenue decline in 2018

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has reported an 8% decline in revenue for the financial year ended December 31 2018, due to uncertainties.

Oscar Onyema (pictured), the stock exchange’s CEO, made the disclosure on Monday at the 58th annual general meeting that held in Lagos.

Onyema said the exchange recorded revenue of N7.67 billion, compared with N8.30 billion achieved in the corresponding period in 2017.

He attributed the decline to uncertainties as investors sought guaranteed investment asset classes.

Onyema added that the listings revenue stream was the most impacted with a drop of 21% to N1.4 billion during the period under review.

He stated that transaction fees influenced by capital market trends within the period declined to N3.3 billion during the period under review.

According to him, the exchange witnessed a 47.6% increase in foreign outflows of N642.65 billion, compared with N435.31 billion in the corresponding period in 2017.

He attributed the development to flight to quality by foreign investors to higher-yielding assets with lower risks in developed countries.

Onyema noted that the situation was intensified by the political risks associated with the Nigerian presidential elections.

He stated that the federal government during the period borrowed N1.2 trillion to finance fiscal and infrastructure deficits.

The NSE chief added that state governments and corporates raised a total of N157 billion from the NSE during the period under review.

“We believe this level of activity validates our position as a competitive capital-raising platform for both business and government issuers to finance various economic activities,” he said.

On 2019 outlook, he explained that the NSE future revenues and net incomes would continue to be influenced by key domestic and international market forces such as pricing, product features and regulatory changes.

Onyema said the company would strive to finalise the exchange demutualusation process, boost fixed income market segment and establish its exchange-traded derivatives market.