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Continuity Of FX Policy, Hot Air Notwithstanding

Forex	1126 VIEWS
Forex
1126 VIEWS

Monday, June 17, 2019 / 08:57AM / By FBNQuest Research

A burst of commentary on the CBN’s fx regime on the newswires last week warrants a re-examination of the underlying issues. While in reality little, if anything, has changed, it is worthwhile restating our house view. There has been a convergence of rates over many months such that we can safely talk of the subsidized rate (of N307) and other, non-subsidized rates. We do not see unification (ie scrapping of the former) in a hurry. The re-election of Muhammadu Buhari and his appointment of Godwin Emefiele for a second term as governor reinforce our view.

The preferential rate suits the CBN, notably for imports of petroleum products.

The importers’ and exporters’ window (NAFEX) has its critics on the grounds of transparency and the extent to which it is market-determined. Such flaws have not deterred foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), who are comfortable with its “willing buyer, willing seller” basis provided that they can make their exit.

Floating rates are rare among EMs that are major oil exporters. They are a risk that EMs generally avoid.

The game changes, of course, in the event of a dramatic and sustained fall in the crude price, which would alarm FPIs, and bring pressure on reserves and the exchange rate. This is not our current expectation.

Average exchange rates (NGN per USD)

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

Sources: CBN; FBNQuest Capital Research

There is one reason to question the operation of several exchange rates, and it is not ideological. This is the difficulty of tracking changes and assessing their significance. For example the local media reported last week that the customs service had started to levy import duty at a rate of N326 per dollar rather than the CBN’s/official N307. The obvious explanation is surely fiscal since the customs (and therefore the authorities) would welcome the additional N20 per dollar on eligible imports.