By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate

Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE) – The Fixed Income Securities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has hit a value of N8.273 trillion (US$52.23 billion) Month-to-Date.

Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria’s Exchange made this affirmation in his keynote speech Tuesday at the Standard Bank Investors Conference held in Lagos Nigeria.

“As you might be aware, the Fixed Income Market in Nigeria was very vibrant last year. Currently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange are 53 fixed Income Securities divided into Federal Government Bonds – 27, State Government Bonds – 11 and Corporate Bonds – 15. As of this month, 53 Securities have a Market value of N8.273 trillion (US$52.23 billion)” Onyema said.

According to him, Fixed Income Securities accounted for 56.2 percent (56.2%) of Market Capitalisation of N14.73 trillion (US$93 billion). The balance is Equities.

“We have seen a significant up-tick in the Bond Market activity, especially on primary issues. Secondary Market trading (primarily OTC) has also been very active, providing ample opportunities to investors (albeit, mostly institutional) to diversify their portfolios.

To the Banks, it has enabled them to diversify their income source in a rising interest rates environment. Our plan is to develop a viable Retail Trading platform for Fixed Income in 2012, thus providing retail investors another asset class that can be used in building diversified investment portfolios” Onyema said.

Click here to read full Standard Bank Investor Conference – Keynote Speech by Oscar Onyema