BY MICHAEL EBOH

Investors’ appetite for Federal Government’s bond waned last week, as the volume and value of bonds traded in the Over-the-Counter, OTC, market for Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, bonds both dipped by 22.5 per cent and 25.73 per cent respectively.

Particularly, a turnover of A turnover of 99.54 million units valued at N85.626 billion was recorded in 825 deals.

This was in contrast to penultimate week’s turnover of 128.43 million units valued at N115.289 billion in 983 deals.

The 8th FGN Bond 2014 Series 1 continued to enjoyed investors’ patronage, as it accounted for 29.94 per cent of the market turnover, with 29.8 million units valued at N27.895 billion in 284 deals.

The 5.5% FGN February 2013 (7th FGN Bond 2013 Series 1) followed on the activity chart, accounting for 25.52 per cent of the market turnover, with 25.4 million units valued at N23.117 billion in 240 deals.

Of the 27 FGN Bonds available, only 22 recorded investors’ patronage, compared with 19 in the preceding week.

A number of companies presented their financial forecasts to the NSE, last week, led by UAC Nigeria Plc, with a forecasts turnover of N13.803 billion and profit after tax of N950 million for the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

The company also forecasted a turnover of N69.028 billion and profit after tax of N7.021 billion by year end December 31, 2011.

Its subsidiary, UACN Property Development Company Plc forecasted a turnover of N2.332 billion and profit after tax of N317.0 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012 and a turnover of N15.295 billion and profit after tax of N1.539 billion by year end December 31, 2011.

Also, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc is forecasting a turnover of N25.601 billion and profit after tax of N356.0 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Total Nigeria Plc forecasted a turnover of N47.919 billion and profit after tax of N1.054 billion during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Scoa Nigeria Plc is forecasting a turnover of N1.080 billion and profit after tax of N25.45 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Furthermore, Okomu Oil Palm Plc forecasted a turnover of N2.688 billion and profit after tax of N1.075 billion during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Afromedia Plc in his forecast is envisaging a turnover of N1.077 billion and profit after tax of N40.214 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Berger Paints (Nigeria) Plc is foreseeing a turnover of N781.04 million and profit after tax of N74.001 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Beta Glass Company Plc is forecasting a turnover of N2.800 billion and profit after tax of N166.22 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

Resort Savings & Loans Plc is anticipating a turnover of N634.8 million and profit after tax of N75.46 million during the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.