Money market rates ease as liquidity climbs to N7.45tn

Money market rates declined on Wednesday as increased liquidity in the banking system pushed short-term funding costs lower.

The development followed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 350-basis-point cut in its policy rate to 23 per cent and the adjustment of the standing deposit facility floor to 20 per cent.

AIICO Capital Limited said the overnight policy rate fell by one percentage point to 21 per cent, while the overnight lending rate declined by 51 basis points to 21.76 per cent.

The average Treasury bill rate also fell to 18.38 per cent.

Banking system liquidity rose 7.92 per cent to N7.45tn from N6.91 trillion, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase. Liquidity has now risen by 95.30 per cent since the beginning of the year.

The increase was supported by a N2.27tn inflow from matured Open Market Operation bills, alongside higher utilisation of the Standing Deposit Facility, which reached N7.34tn.

The liquidity build-up came as banks also participated heavily in the midweek Treasury bills auction, where subscriptions exceeded N4.2tn against allotments of less than N500bn.

Nigerian Interbank Offered Rates reflected the stronger liquidity position, with the overnight rate falling 123 basis points to 20.93 per cent.

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The Open Repo rate also declined by 100 basis points to 21 per cent, while the overnight rate in the money market fell by 51 basis points to 21.76 per cent, according to market data.

Treasury bills also recorded strong buying interest in the secondary market, with yields declining across maturities.

The average T-bill yield dropped by 43 basis points to 18.38 per cent, according to AIICO Capital.

Analysts expect short-term rates to remain under downward pressure as surplus liquidity persists in the banking system.

AIICO Capital expects overnight rates to move closer to the 20 per cent deposit facility floor, given the N7.45tn liquidity surplus.

However, market participants said the size of the next OMO auction would be important in determining how quickly the excess liquidity is absorbed.

The settlement of the latest Nigerian Treasury bills auction is expected to have only a limited effect on the liquidity surplus because the amount allotted was significantly below total investor subscriptions.