The $500m bond issued by the Federal Government is believed to be 100 per cent oversubscribed to $1 billion, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company Limited, have said.

In its LBS breakfast session report released at the weekend, it said the allocation of the bonds to bondholders will be done this week.

In an emailed note to investors released, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane listed major benefits of the bond issuance to the local currency and economy.

He said the successful issuance of the bond will bring significant benefits to the naira. He explained that while a possible rate cut by the US Fed offers positive implications for Nigeria, efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost foreign exchange (forex) liquidity are expected to further support the naira in the coming weeks.

According to the report FDC Economic Bulletin, shared by Rewane, the $500 million bond has been issued to boost remittances and attract investment.

He said: “The proceeds from the bond issuance, coupled with the CBN’s reintroduction of the Retail Dutch Auction System, which is expected to hold another auction in September, will stabilise the naira. A sustained naira stability will ease price pressures, with inflation slowing throughout the remainder of 2024. The slowdown in inflation will be supported by the harvest season, base effects, and an import duty waiver.”

The report said Nigeria is part of the global financial community that is awaiting the outcome of the US Fed meeting to be held in September.

 “The consensus view is that there will be an interest rate cut, though opinions differ on the magnitude. While some analysts believe that rate will be cut by 25 basis points (bps), others anticipate a 50-bps rate cut. Regardless, an interest rate cut will weaken the US dollar and, by implication, strengthen the naira, which is currently trading at N1,625/$,” the report said.

 “Additionally, the global price of oil and other export commodities will rise, improving Nigeria’s trade balance and bolstering revenue. This is coming at a time when Nigeria has a debt problem. With a weakened US dollar potentially easing external debt repayment pressures, Nigeria could see some relief in servicing its debt obligations,” it added.

Other analysts said the  expected positive outcome of the FGN Dollar Bond is not only for the government, even if Nigerians are going to be the ultimate beneficiaries in terms of access to healthcare and education, as well as critical infrastructure, which would improve their living conditions.

There are immediate and direct opportunities for Nigerians as individuals, as well. It is an opportunity for Nigerians in the Diaspora with foreign savings; foreigners resident in Nigeria, as well as Nigerians with domiciliary accounts, to invest in the bond which is as low as $10,000, with 9.75 per cent return

Despite the projected deceleration in inflation, analysts at FDC expect the MPC to maintain a tightening stance in its next meeting in September.

“This could pose a threat to the country’s growth prospects. The recently released GDP report showed an expansion of 3.19 per cent compared to 2.98 per cent in first quarter of 2024 and 2.51 per cent in second quarter of 2023. However, the stark reality is that 78 per cent of the 46 economic activities tracked by the NBS experienced either a slowdown or contraction during the quarter.

“This widespread underperformance is particularly concerning as it involves “labour elastic” sectors—industries where changes in economic activity have substantial impact on employment levels,” FDC stated.

The slowing sectors, including agriculture (1.41 per cent as against 1.5 per cent in second quarter of 2023), trade (0.71 per cent as against 2.41 per cent in second quarter of 2023), and manufacturing (1.28 per cent as against 2.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2023), are struggling with deep-seated structural challenges.

The report explained that these persistent issues not only hinder sectoral performance but also cast a long shadow over job creation and economic stability.