If the Federal Government remains committed to the financing of infrastructure deficit; this can done through the capital market. One of the major challenges businesses are facing is poor infrastructure which consume a large chunk of their revenues. The Federal Government should ensure that the capital expenditure of the 2017 budget is dedicated to improving infrastructure to enhance the ease of doing business in the country and for businesses to become productive and move towards economic recovery.

FBN Merchant Bank Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, said it its profit before tax (PBT) rose by 29 per cent to N4.92 billion in the financial year ending December 31, 2016 from N3.83 billion in the previous year.

A combination of speculative attack against the naira in the parallel market and activities in the newly introduced Investors and Exporters (I&E) forex window are impeding further decline in the parallel market exchange rate below N385 per dollar. Prior to the 100 per cent increase in dollar supply to BDCs, from $20,000 to $40,000 per BDC, the parallel market exchange rate dropped to N380 per dollar.

As recession pummeled corporate financials, about 54 leading companies quoted across the sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, took a 12.9 per cent cut on their emoluments and other remuneration packages in 2016 financial year, FY’16.

China’s main stock indexes extended gains on Friday morning, as the central bank’s move to inject funds amid liquidity worries offered some solace.