H2 2017 Outlook – A Fragile Recovery by Cardinal Stone Research

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Global Economy – Global economic growth picking momentum

The global economy is ready to post another strong outturn in H2’17 on the back of healthy economic dynamics in both emerging and advanced economies. Interestingly, the pick-up in global growth contrasts with popular expectations at the beginning of the year when it seemed that political factors would outweigh economic considerations following Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. On the flipside, uncertainty is high on Trump’s fiscal measures, while rising political uncertainty in Brazil and the Middle East highlights the fragility of global recovery. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its 2017 global growth forecast by 10bps to 3.5% while the World Bank, in its June outlook report, maintained its forecast of 2.7%, but referenced the improving global confidence and an acceleration in global manufacturing and trade.

Nigeria – Recovery amidst major pressure points

The economic picture is becoming brighter in Nigeria. The non-oil sector returned to growth in Q1’17, the PMI rose to an over one-year high in May and oil production has increased significantly since last year’s nadir, following improved security situation in the Niger Delta region. Many determining themes from H1’17 are likely to filter through to H2’17. Redress of the foreign exchange (FX) market, security of oil production infrastructure, and the efficiency of budget implementation will play significant roles in shaping the year. We revise our forecast for 2017 GDP growth to 0.8% (previous: 0.7%), supported by consistent improvements in manufacturing output as well as an increase in crude oil production. With the high base of 2016 and the upcoming harvest season, we project that headline inflation should decline to 14.0% by December 2017.  However, the evolution of the FX market will be a key factor. With the new advancements in the production of Shale gas, lower oil price is a key risk to keep in view in H2 given the direct implication on recent improvements in FX liquidity. Thus, a negative change in the current FX regime could throw our GDP and inflation targets off course.

Financial Markets

H2’17 seems more promising for the equities market given expectations of improved portfolio inflows and sustained participation of domestic investors. Our outlook for local bond yields in H2’17 is largely mixed and depends on 2 major factors – the apex bank’s decision to either retain high interest rates by sustaining its aggressive liquidity mop-ups or slash rates in response to falling inflation and need to reduce government’s borrowing cost given the likelihood of increased local borrowings to fund the 2017 budget.  

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Top picks

Price(N)

12M TP (N)

Upside

Fwd.P/E (x)

Div. Yield

TRANSCORP

1.36

3.05

124.3%

11.4

5.5%

WAPCO

52.00

71.14

36.8%

9.4

3.2%

ETI

14.20

17.79

25.3%

4.6

8.7%

PZ

20.65

26.44

28.0%

31.2

3.2%

FBNH

5.87

7.34

25.0%

1.7

20.1%

*prices as at July 17, 2017