Naija Lo Wa

Vetiva Research recently released their Economic Outlook for the Nigerian economy for 2011. It is a very detailed report and the accompanying document includes their underlying assumptions.
Vetiva Research 2011 Economic Outlook (655).
Vetiva Research - 2011 Outlook and Underlying Assumptions (477)

An excerpt of their outlook for the different sectors of the economy is below:
<blockquote>Sector Outlook

Banking Sector: Risk gives way, eyes on fundamentals
We are overtly upbeat on 2011 earnings, as the key drags on growth fizzle out. Aside our modest outlook on loan growth which is expected to enliven interest income as well as fee and commission books, the steady uptick in the overall yield environment will provide support for appreciable growth in FY’11 earnings over 2010 levels. Our top calls in the sector are ZENITHBANK, ACCESS and FIRSTBANK. These three banks have an expected return of 27%, 25% and 17% respectively.

Consumer Sector: Tough year ahead…efficiency, requisite
The global factor of rising commodity prices, and constrained domestic credit growth will combine to pose challenges for companies within the consumer sector in 2011. It is worthy to note that these stress points would play differently for the sub-sectors within the Consumer industry. Importantly, the ability of consumer companies to improve and sustain production efficiencies would gird against some of these pressures. In the consumer space, we are bullish on Dangote Flour and Flour Mills on the basis of our expected return of 29% and 11% respectively.

Energy Sector: Elections to slow reforms
With far reaching reforms in the pipeline in of the oil, gas and power segments of the Energy industry, electioneering for the April polls seems to be shifting the focus of the legislators, and also the ability of the executive arm of government to focus on implementation. We note that for most segments, less activity on the reforms would be felt pre-election, whilst the Government is likely to put more focus on the pressing issues in the Energy Industry, post-elections. Our top shot in the sector remains Oando, based on our estimated return of 32%.

Infrastructure Sector: Set for mixed realities
Our focus on the building materials sub sector is on the cement producers, as they dominate the infrastructure sector. The outlook for the cement producers follows from our overall expectations of slow infrastructure development. In line with the additional capacities expected to come on stream this year, the sub sector is set to witness a major boost in cement supply. On consumption, we expect some improvement in Q1’11 given the onset of the dry season. The construction sub sector will still be dependent on government capital expenditure. We expect a reduced level of government contract awards and mobilization as focus on elections stalls decision making in government quarters. Notwithstanding the strong fundamentals of the sector, most of the stocks are stretched at current prices. However, we remain bullish on Lafarge WAPCO and Julius Berger based on our estimated potential return of 18% and 14%.

Insurance Sector: Searching for value
With the Nigerian economy forecast to grow at 7.0% in 2011, and given rising income levels and higher risk awareness among the populace, we are cautiously optimistic about the demand for insurance products. However, intense competition with rate undercutting, moderate returns from investments, and adjustments to the new regulatory guidelines is likely to continue to taper short-term profitability. Our favorite in the Insurance space remains Custodian and Allied Insurance based on our estimated return of 32.1%

Capital Markets: High Expectations Amid Uncertainty
Our expectation is that the equity market will close 2011 18% up, with the benchmark index ending the year at 29,246.49. In our view, this base case scenario would be driven by a 30% return by banks,  while Petroleum Marketing and our new Infrastructure (includes building materials and construction companies) sectors are forecast to return 18% and 9% respectively. We expect our new Consumer group to return 15%, however, sub sector forecast puts Food & Beverages at 21%, the Brewers at 12%, while the Conglomerates will throw in a 6% return. As in 2010, we believe the Insurance sector would once again lag the broader market with 2011 return forecast at 5%.

Our Bull case estimate for the equity market performance rises 606 bps above our base case scenario to 24%. Again the banks will lead with a 40% return, Petroleum Marketing and Consumer sectors will follow with 25% and 19% respectively. The Infrastructure sector will post 18% return, while Insurance counters will return 10%.

Our Bear case estimate sees equities returning 10% for the year. This scenario forecasts banks adding 25%, the Petroleum Marketing and Consumer sectors posting gains of 10% and 6% respectively, while the Infrastructure and Insurance sectors will shed 4% and 5% respectively.

Given the expected hyperactivity in local Bond issuances by AMCON and the federal government early in the year, we expect the bond market to continue to attract capital flows as bond  yields would trend   higher in 2011, hence shaving off, only slightly though, some of the potential investments in equities. Stronger still, the uncertainty in the Nigerian Political environment might delay significant investments in the capital markets  further into the year as investors exhibit caution over the outcome of the elections. </blockquote>