This describes a period near the end of a prolonged bear market. In a graveyard market, long-time investors have taken large losses, while new investors prefer to stay liquid by sitting on the sidelines and keeping their money in cash or cash-equivalent securities until market conditions improve.
The term graveyard market is an apt description of this market phenomenon: the investors in a graveyard market can't get out of it, and the investors who aren't in it don't want to be.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Downside Protection
This refers to a cushion against the potential loss resulting from a price decline in a security or market. The challenge associated with downside protection is that downside protection needs to be balanced with upside potential for high returns. For this reason (among other more complicated ones), some investors do not believe in downside protection.
Whether or not an investor should consider downside protection depends on several factors, such as how long before the money is needed and if there will be regular withdrawals during that time. The sooner one needs the money and the more often one plans to withdrawal, the more appealing downside protection can be. A common example of downside protection is having a put option on an owned stock.
Whether or not an investor should consider downside protection depends on several factors, such as how long before the money is needed and if there will be regular withdrawals during that time. The sooner one needs the money and the more often one plans to withdrawal, the more appealing downside protection can be. A common example of downside protection is having a put option on an owned stock.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Ascending bottoms
This refers to a chart pattern in which the lows of the trading range get progressively higher over a given time frame. Ascending bottoms chart patterns can be used to evaluate stocks, commodities, indexes or virtually anything with a price/time chart. Ascending bottoms can be plotted for virtually any time frame: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or even longer periods of time.
Ascending bottoms are considered an indication of a rising market and are generally viewed as a bullish pattern. Ascending bottoms are considered an especially bullish pattern when combined with ascending tops. Ascending bottoms chart patterns are most likely to be used by a chartist or by a technical analyst. The opposite of ascending bottoms would be a descending bottoms pattern.
Ascending bottoms are considered an indication of a rising market and are generally viewed as a bullish pattern. Ascending bottoms are considered an especially bullish pattern when combined with ascending tops. Ascending bottoms chart patterns are most likely to be used by a chartist or by a technical analyst. The opposite of ascending bottoms would be a descending bottoms pattern.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Deer Market
This refers to a flat market. Neither a bull or bear market, a deer market is characterized by low activity, with timid investors waiting for a sign of which way the market is going to end up moving.
The term is used to illustrate when investors who are unable or unwilling to move due to uncertainty - like deer who freeze when "caught in the headlights" of a vehicle.
The term is used to illustrate when investors who are unable or unwilling to move due to uncertainty - like deer who freeze when "caught in the headlights" of a vehicle.
Hammering
The rapid and concentrated sale of a stock thought to be overvalued by the market. It performed by investors and speculators who believe that prices are inflated and that a period of liquidation is imminent.
Hammering the market is achieved through large sale orders or many small sell orders. In some cases, investors may even collaborate on orders to attempt to push the share's price even lower.
Hammering the market is achieved through large sale orders or many small sell orders. In some cases, investors may even collaborate on orders to attempt to push the share's price even lower.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Market Overhang
An observational theory stating that in certain stocks at certain times, there is a buildup of selling pressure. This occurs as a combined result of sales and a strong wish to sell among those who still hold the stock but fear that selling it may cause further declines. Depending on the overall liquidity in the stock, a market overhang can last for weeks, months or longer. Market overhang usually relates to trading in one security but can also apply to larger areas of the market, such as an entire sector.
Market overhang is most often felt and created by institutional investors, who may have a large block of shares they wish to sell and are aware of high selling interest across the market for the stock. Another scenario arises when a large shareholder is thought to be looking at selling his or her stake. This creates an overhang in the stock, which prevents investors from buying the stock until the large shareholder is done selling his stake. Market overhang can also develop in a poorly-performing IPO when the lockup period ends and insiders look to unload their recently-acquired shares.
Market overhang is most often felt and created by institutional investors, who may have a large block of shares they wish to sell and are aware of high selling interest across the market for the stock. Another scenario arises when a large shareholder is thought to be looking at selling his or her stake. This creates an overhang in the stock, which prevents investors from buying the stock until the large shareholder is done selling his stake. Market overhang can also develop in a poorly-performing IPO when the lockup period ends and insiders look to unload their recently-acquired shares.
Chasing the Market
Entering or exiting of a trend after the trend has already been well established. Investors are often unaware of the fact that they are chasing the market, which can dent the value of a portfolio. This type of investing is often seen as irrational as decisions are often based on emotion instead of careful analysis of the value of the investment.
Chasing the market refers to both the entering into highly priced positions after they have rapidly increased and become overvalued as well as the exiting of positions after they have rapidly decreased and become undervalued.
Chasing the market refers to both the entering into highly priced positions after they have rapidly increased and become overvalued as well as the exiting of positions after they have rapidly decreased and become undervalued.
Friday, February 8, 2008
TERM OF THE WEEK:Financial Porn
This a term used to describe sensationalist reports of financial news and products causing irrational buying that can be detrimental to investors' financial health. Short-term focus by the media on a financial topic can create excitement that does little to help investors make smart, long-term financial decisions, and in many cases clouds investors' decision-making ability.
Expanded media coverage, specifically the advent of 24-hour cable news networks and the internet and the tools it has provided the financial industry, has led to a large increase in financial porn.
Examples of financial porn include constant advertisements of easy-to-use trading-strategy products that purport to turn minimal investments into small fortunes, media coverage of the latest and greatest sector trends and magazines with front pages that claim to have the next 10-must-own mutual funds of next year. Many of these products and ideas expose investors to great risks posed by both the movement of the market and the risk of fraud.
Expanded media coverage, specifically the advent of 24-hour cable news networks and the internet and the tools it has provided the financial industry, has led to a large increase in financial porn.
Examples of financial porn include constant advertisements of easy-to-use trading-strategy products that purport to turn minimal investments into small fortunes, media coverage of the latest and greatest sector trends and magazines with front pages that claim to have the next 10-must-own mutual funds of next year. Many of these products and ideas expose investors to great risks posed by both the movement of the market and the risk of fraud.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
TERM OF THE WEEK:Negative Gearing
This refers to an act of borrowing money to buy an investment asset without receiving enough income from the investment to cover the interest expenses and other costs involved in maintaining it. Depending on the investor's home country, the shortfall between income earned and interest due can be deducted from current income taxes.
Negative gearing most often occurs in rental properties, where the rental income received is not enough to cover the interest costs on borrowings plus expenditures toward property maintenance and upkeep.
Negative gearing only becomes a profitable venture when the property is eventually sold, and a prerequisite is that property values are rising, not falling or holding steady.
Many investors who speculate this way will purposely seek out negative gearing for the tax deductions in the hope that they will make a profit when the property is sold for a capital gain.
Investors considering this type of arrangement need to have the financial stability to fund the shortfall out of pocket until the property are sold and the full profit can be reached.
Negative gearing most often occurs in rental properties, where the rental income received is not enough to cover the interest costs on borrowings plus expenditures toward property maintenance and upkeep.
Negative gearing only becomes a profitable venture when the property is eventually sold, and a prerequisite is that property values are rising, not falling or holding steady.
Many investors who speculate this way will purposely seek out negative gearing for the tax deductions in the hope that they will make a profit when the property is sold for a capital gain.
Investors considering this type of arrangement need to have the financial stability to fund the shortfall out of pocket until the property are sold and the full profit can be reached.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
TERM OF THE DAY:Delisting
This refers to the removal of a listed security from the exchange on which it trades. Stock is removed from an exchange because the company, for which the stock is issued, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, is not in compliance with the listing requirements of the exchange.
The reasons for delisting include violating regulations and/or failing to meet financial specifications set out by the stock exchange. Companies that are delisted are not necessarily bankrupt, and may continue trading over the counter.
In order for a stock to be traded on an exchange, the company that issues the stock must meet the listing requirements set out by the exchange. Listing requirements include minimum share prices, certain financial ratios, minimum sales levels, and so on. If listing requirements are not met by a company, the exchange that lists the company's stock will probably issue a warning of non-compliance to the company. If the company's failure to meet listing requirements continues, the exchange may de-list the company's stock.
The reasons for delisting include violating regulations and/or failing to meet financial specifications set out by the stock exchange. Companies that are delisted are not necessarily bankrupt, and may continue trading over the counter.
In order for a stock to be traded on an exchange, the company that issues the stock must meet the listing requirements set out by the exchange. Listing requirements include minimum share prices, certain financial ratios, minimum sales levels, and so on. If listing requirements are not met by a company, the exchange that lists the company's stock will probably issue a warning of non-compliance to the company. If the company's failure to meet listing requirements continues, the exchange may de-list the company's stock.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
16 Public Offers Worth N980bn Approved in 2007 –SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 16 public offers of 39 billion units, worth N980 billion last year, according to its Director General, Malam Musa Al-Faki.
In his new year message to members of staff, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, Al-Faki said the capital market recorded a robust performance.
He said 11 other offers totaling 801 billion units of shares valued at N239 billion were rights issues in the primary market. Al-Faki said 51 applications were approved last year as against 49 in 2006.
“The year also recorded six private placements of eight million units of shares valued at N2.6 billion and nine supplementary offers of 1.9 billion units of shares worth N2.4 billion,'' he said.
According to the DG, two conversions of loans to equity of 4 billion units of shares valued at N46 billion were also recorded. “Twenty four bonus issues of 22 billion units of shares worth N36 billion and five existing securities of 22 billion units of shares valued at N11 billion were registered,'' he added.
In the secondary market, Al-Faki said, there was a turn-over of 128.5 billion units of shares worth N1.92 trillion between January and November.
“This represented a 250 per cent increaseover the 33 billion shares turn over worthN427 billion achieved in 2006.``The all-share index also recorded an increaseof 21,025.98 points or 36.4 per cent. Opening at33,163 points in January, it closed at 54,189.92points as at Nov. 30, 2007,'' he said.Offers - - 3Al-Faki said the market capitalisationof listed securities (equity only) which stoodat N4.22 trillion in January 2007 rose toN9.11 trillion as at the end of November,representing an increase of 116 per cent.He said the remarkable increase in themarket was attributable to price appreciationrecorded by the ``high-fly in capitalisedstocks''.``Twenty new listings, comprising equitiesand bonds were recorded in the outgoing year.There were 60 supplementary listings whilesix were delisted,'' Al-Faki said.On collective investment schemes, hesaid five were still being processedadding that the number of approvedexisting venture capital companiesstood at 10 throughout the year.``Out of this number only four managinga total of N5 billion remained activeas at the end of 2007,'' he said.SEC - - 4Al-Faki pointed out that a new dimensionto public issues was witnessed in 2007with the introduction of the GlobalDepository Receipts (GDR).According to him, GDR allows
Nigeriancompanies to be quoted in stock marketsoutside the country.``A total of seven GDRs were issued inthe course of the year, out of thesefive were valued at 1.9 billion dollarswhile two were worth 404.3 milliondollars,'' he said.To further deepen the market, the DGsaid the commission would focus onstimulating activities in the bondmarket, particularly the corporatebonds.``Other actions to further deepen themarket and also aim at meetinggovernment public housing programme,were the introduction ofmortgage-backed securities (MBS) andReal Estate Investment Trust,'' headded.
In his new year message to members of staff, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, Al-Faki said the capital market recorded a robust performance.
He said 11 other offers totaling 801 billion units of shares valued at N239 billion were rights issues in the primary market. Al-Faki said 51 applications were approved last year as against 49 in 2006.
“The year also recorded six private placements of eight million units of shares valued at N2.6 billion and nine supplementary offers of 1.9 billion units of shares worth N2.4 billion,'' he said.
According to the DG, two conversions of loans to equity of 4 billion units of shares valued at N46 billion were also recorded. “Twenty four bonus issues of 22 billion units of shares worth N36 billion and five existing securities of 22 billion units of shares valued at N11 billion were registered,'' he added.
In the secondary market, Al-Faki said, there was a turn-over of 128.5 billion units of shares worth N1.92 trillion between January and November.
“This represented a 250 per cent increaseover the 33 billion shares turn over worthN427 billion achieved in 2006.``The all-share index also recorded an increaseof 21,025.98 points or 36.4 per cent. Opening at33,163 points in January, it closed at 54,189.92points as at Nov. 30, 2007,'' he said.Offers - - 3Al-Faki said the market capitalisationof listed securities (equity only) which stoodat N4.22 trillion in January 2007 rose toN9.11 trillion as at the end of November,representing an increase of 116 per cent.He said the remarkable increase in themarket was attributable to price appreciationrecorded by the ``high-fly in capitalisedstocks''.``Twenty new listings, comprising equitiesand bonds were recorded in the outgoing year.There were 60 supplementary listings whilesix were delisted,'' Al-Faki said.On collective investment schemes, hesaid five were still being processedadding that the number of approvedexisting venture capital companiesstood at 10 throughout the year.``Out of this number only four managinga total of N5 billion remained activeas at the end of 2007,'' he said.SEC - - 4Al-Faki pointed out that a new dimensionto public issues was witnessed in 2007with the introduction of the GlobalDepository Receipts (GDR).According to him, GDR allows
Nigeriancompanies to be quoted in stock marketsoutside the country.``A total of seven GDRs were issued inthe course of the year, out of thesefive were valued at 1.9 billion dollarswhile two were worth 404.3 milliondollars,'' he said.To further deepen the market, the DGsaid the commission would focus onstimulating activities in the bondmarket, particularly the corporatebonds.``Other actions to further deepen themarket and also aim at meetinggovernment public housing programme,were the introduction ofmortgage-backed securities (MBS) andReal Estate Investment Trust,'' headded.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
NSE, SEC to halt share certificates for public issues
BEGINNING from January 1, 2009, subscribers to public offers in the country's capital market would have their subscriptions credited online as the regulatory authorities have concluded arrangements to phase out the issuance of share certificates for public issues.
The Director General of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, disclosed yesterday at a press briefing in Lagos, that the exchange, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), had fixed December 31, 2008 as the deadline for the total phase-out of share certificates for public issues.
The measure, she explained, was aimed at eliminating complaints associated with dispatch of share certificates to investors.
The e-certificate system is to be handled by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) immediately after allotment of shares has been concluded.
According to the NSE DG, investors who already have CSCS accounts would be credited as soon as the public issue is concluded while fresh accounts would be opened for new users of the platform.
The NSE had during the introduction of the CSCS in 1997 pushed for a "certificateless" market while adopting dematerialisation of share certificates for share transactions in the secondary market.
But some key shareholders have kicked against the process because of their preference for share certificates as evidence of share ownership.
The Managing Director of CSCS, Onyewuchi Asinobi, who was also at the briefing disclosed that a total of 1.7 million share certificates were dematerialised in 2007 as against 1.1 million in 2006.
"From 1997 to 2007, CSCS has dematerialised 7.1 million share certificates, which represent 246.66 billion units of shares," he said.
In 2007, 152 shareholders requested for share certificates as against 160 shareholders in the previous year.
Buttressing investors' preference for the CSCS platform, he said: "Since 1997 to December 31, 2007, only 8,358 shareholders have requested for share certificates.
"Also, the number of shareholders in the CSCS system has increased by 81.81 per cent from 1.1 million in 2006 to two million in 2007."
The propelling factor for the current growth in CSCS activities include new equity listings, foreign investors' participation, growing and active local investor population as a result of awareness campaigns by the NSE, other regulators, operators and listed companies.
According to supporters of the e-certificate system, unlike the current system whereby share certificates are not delivered to investors for several months, the new system would enable them to take advantage of capital gains that usually follow the listing of a company after a public offering.
In another development, the NSE noted that it would soon create the NSE 30 stock index based on market liquidity and capitalisation.
According to Okerereke-Onyiuke, the launch of the index should form the basis for the creation of index futures and exchange-traded funds in the country.
The Director General of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, disclosed yesterday at a press briefing in Lagos, that the exchange, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), had fixed December 31, 2008 as the deadline for the total phase-out of share certificates for public issues.
The measure, she explained, was aimed at eliminating complaints associated with dispatch of share certificates to investors.
The e-certificate system is to be handled by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) immediately after allotment of shares has been concluded.
According to the NSE DG, investors who already have CSCS accounts would be credited as soon as the public issue is concluded while fresh accounts would be opened for new users of the platform.
The NSE had during the introduction of the CSCS in 1997 pushed for a "certificateless" market while adopting dematerialisation of share certificates for share transactions in the secondary market.
But some key shareholders have kicked against the process because of their preference for share certificates as evidence of share ownership.
The Managing Director of CSCS, Onyewuchi Asinobi, who was also at the briefing disclosed that a total of 1.7 million share certificates were dematerialised in 2007 as against 1.1 million in 2006.
"From 1997 to 2007, CSCS has dematerialised 7.1 million share certificates, which represent 246.66 billion units of shares," he said.
In 2007, 152 shareholders requested for share certificates as against 160 shareholders in the previous year.
Buttressing investors' preference for the CSCS platform, he said: "Since 1997 to December 31, 2007, only 8,358 shareholders have requested for share certificates.
"Also, the number of shareholders in the CSCS system has increased by 81.81 per cent from 1.1 million in 2006 to two million in 2007."
The propelling factor for the current growth in CSCS activities include new equity listings, foreign investors' participation, growing and active local investor population as a result of awareness campaigns by the NSE, other regulators, operators and listed companies.
According to supporters of the e-certificate system, unlike the current system whereby share certificates are not delivered to investors for several months, the new system would enable them to take advantage of capital gains that usually follow the listing of a company after a public offering.
In another development, the NSE noted that it would soon create the NSE 30 stock index based on market liquidity and capitalisation.
According to Okerereke-Onyiuke, the launch of the index should form the basis for the creation of index futures and exchange-traded funds in the country.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Intercontinental Bank’s net profit hit N18bn Q3
Intercontinental Bank Plc appears set for another rousing year as the bank nearly tripled post-tax profit to push earnings per share into three digits in the first nine months of operations.
Interim report and accounts of the bank for the third quarter ended November 30, 2007 showed that net earnings leapfrogged by 178 per cent to N18.1 billion, indicating earnings per share of about 101 kobo. The bank had recorded a net profit of N10.12 billion in corresponding period of 2006.
The report showed gross earnings of N99.65 billion by November 2007, indicating an increase of 69 per cent on N59.11 billion recorded in comparable period of 2006.
Intercontinental Bank has maintained appreciable growth trend over the years. Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended February 28, 2007 showed that gross and net earnings doubled while the balance sheet rose by 91 per cent. Underlying fundamentals showed a more liquid, better capitalised, well-diversified and less risky bank as proportion of non-performing loan assets dropped to a low.
Earnings per share rose from N1.10 in 2006 to N1.38 in 2007, which enabled the bank to increase cash payout from 45 kobo in 2006 to 65 kobo in 2007.
Gross earnings rose by 113 per cent from N41.04 billion in 2006 to N87.36 billion in 2007. Interest income doubled to N51.7 billion in 2007 as against N25.8 billion in 2006 while non-interest income grew by 133 per cent from N15.3 billion in 2006 to N35.6 billion in 2007.
With interest expense at N17.22 billion in 2007 as against N8.35 billion in 2006, net interest income recorded 98 per cent growth to N34.51 billion in 2007 compared with N17.4 billion in 2006. Relatively higher interest expense shaved off a point on net interest margin at 67 per cent in 2007 compared with 68 per cent in 2006. Operating expense rose by 90 per cent from N22.33 billion in 2006 to N42.56 billion in 2007.
Earnings from associated companies also improved from N475.8 million in 2006 to N564.8 million in 2007. Group's pre-tax profit grew by 121 per cent to N22.64 billion in 2007 in contrast with N10.3 billion in 2006. After deductions for taxes, net earnings stood at N15.48 billion in 2007 as against N7.56 billion in 2006, representing an increase of 105 per cent.
Underlying performance indicators supported a positive profit outlook as pre-tax profit margin inched up to 26 per cent in 2007 as against 25 per cent in 2006 and 2005. Interest income/loans and advances ratio improved from 12 per cent in 2006 to 15.5 per cent in 2007 while operating expense relative to gross earnings dropped to 49 per cent in 2007 as against 54 per cent in 2006. Average contribution of each employee to the bottom-line improved from N2.1 million in 2006 to N3.3 billion in 2007. Non-interest income made up 41 per cent of gross earnings in 2007 as against 37per cent in 2006.
Interim report and accounts of the bank for the third quarter ended November 30, 2007 showed that net earnings leapfrogged by 178 per cent to N18.1 billion, indicating earnings per share of about 101 kobo. The bank had recorded a net profit of N10.12 billion in corresponding period of 2006.
The report showed gross earnings of N99.65 billion by November 2007, indicating an increase of 69 per cent on N59.11 billion recorded in comparable period of 2006.
Intercontinental Bank has maintained appreciable growth trend over the years. Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended February 28, 2007 showed that gross and net earnings doubled while the balance sheet rose by 91 per cent. Underlying fundamentals showed a more liquid, better capitalised, well-diversified and less risky bank as proportion of non-performing loan assets dropped to a low.
Earnings per share rose from N1.10 in 2006 to N1.38 in 2007, which enabled the bank to increase cash payout from 45 kobo in 2006 to 65 kobo in 2007.
Gross earnings rose by 113 per cent from N41.04 billion in 2006 to N87.36 billion in 2007. Interest income doubled to N51.7 billion in 2007 as against N25.8 billion in 2006 while non-interest income grew by 133 per cent from N15.3 billion in 2006 to N35.6 billion in 2007.
With interest expense at N17.22 billion in 2007 as against N8.35 billion in 2006, net interest income recorded 98 per cent growth to N34.51 billion in 2007 compared with N17.4 billion in 2006. Relatively higher interest expense shaved off a point on net interest margin at 67 per cent in 2007 compared with 68 per cent in 2006. Operating expense rose by 90 per cent from N22.33 billion in 2006 to N42.56 billion in 2007.
Earnings from associated companies also improved from N475.8 million in 2006 to N564.8 million in 2007. Group's pre-tax profit grew by 121 per cent to N22.64 billion in 2007 in contrast with N10.3 billion in 2006. After deductions for taxes, net earnings stood at N15.48 billion in 2007 as against N7.56 billion in 2006, representing an increase of 105 per cent.
Underlying performance indicators supported a positive profit outlook as pre-tax profit margin inched up to 26 per cent in 2007 as against 25 per cent in 2006 and 2005. Interest income/loans and advances ratio improved from 12 per cent in 2006 to 15.5 per cent in 2007 while operating expense relative to gross earnings dropped to 49 per cent in 2007 as against 54 per cent in 2006. Average contribution of each employee to the bottom-line improved from N2.1 million in 2006 to N3.3 billion in 2007. Non-interest income made up 41 per cent of gross earnings in 2007 as against 37per cent in 2006.
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