Business
Oil price falls to $72 a barrel — first time since December 2021
Oil price fell on Wednesday to $72 a barrel for the first time in more than one year.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell over 5 percent to $72.39 a barrel — first time since December 2021.
The US West Texas Intermediate also fell over 5 percent to $67.06 a barrel.
According to Reuters, the price of the commodity dropped as worries about Credit Suisse shook global markets and countered expectations of a recovery in Chinese oil demand.
Credit Suisse shares slumped by 30 percent on Wednesday after Saudi National Bank (SNB), its largest shareholder, said it could not provide further support.
“It doesn’t matter what your risk asset is, at this point people are pulling the plug on across different instruments here,” Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York, told Reuters.
“Nobody wants to go home with a big position on anything today… you have nowhere to hide really.”
Also speaking on the dip, Dennis Kissler, senior vice-president of trading at BOK Financial, said hedge funds were liquidating due to rising interest rates and economic uncertainty.
He said heavy pressure on the United States stocks earlier today, was adding to the fund liquidation in crude.
The current price of the commodity is now below the $75 benchmark in Nigeria’s 2023 budget.
In 2020, when a similar situation occurred, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, said the FG would lower the $57 benchmark of the country.
“What the impact will be on that is that there will be reduced revenue to the budget and it will mean cutting the size of the budget. The quantum of the cut is what we are supposed to assess as a committee,” she had said.
If Ahmed’s words are to be considered, it means the federal government may consider revising the country’s benchmark to fit the global oil price — if the downward trend is not reversed.
Bolade Agboola, oil and gas sector analyst at Meristem Securities Limited, had told TheCable that the advantage of the global oil price remaining above Nigeria’s benchmark is that the federal government will earn more revenue to finance its budget.
Business
Nigeria’s GDP rate grew by 3.46% in Q3 2024, says NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
The NBS, in its GDP report published on Monday, said the growth rate is higher than the 3.19 percent recorded in Q2 2024.
Business
Dangote refinery reduces ex-depot price of petrol to N970 for oil marketers
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N970 per litre for oil marketers.
This is a cut from the refinery’s N990 ex-depot price announced earlier this month, according to a statement on Sunday.
The slash would help marketers save about N20 on each litre of petrol bought from the Lekki-based plant.
Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group’s chief branding and communications officer, said the move is the refinery’s way of appreciating Nigerians “for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true”.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement reads.
“While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply.”
Business
Allegation of missing fund untrue, says Access Bank
Access Bank Limited has dismissed as untrue allegations of missing fund and unethical behaviour.
The Bank in a statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media wherein allegations of missing funds and unethical behaviour have been made against Access Bank PLC.
“First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities which we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour.
“In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the Bank are most untrue and baseless.
“There is no N500million or any other fund or amount missing from the subject customer’s account or from any other customer’s account with us.
“We and other independent stakeholders in the banking industry have thoroughly investigated these allegations and independently arrived at the same conclusions.
“Access Bank PLC operates with the highest ethical standards, and we protect our customers’ interests whilst also respecting privacy laws.
“Consequently, whilst we have engaged and will continue to engage with our customers, we must advise the public not to rely on or believe sensational and unverified claims that are designed to titillate and mislead the public.
“We remain committed to serving our customers.”
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