Nigeria, June 30 -- With the half-year period ending on Monday (today), one of the key indicators for share price growth the market will be looking out for in the short term is stocks with a reputation for paying dividends at least twice a year.

On that score, the focus of big market players like institutional investors, including pension funds and portfolio managers, is set to shift to such stocks as the cash reward that companies will pay for the period are largely likely to shape how they allocate assets in the weeks ahead.

"Investors might start positioning for Q2-earning season, favoring corporates with FX gains, cost control, clear growth trajectory, and those with potentials for quality interim dividend payment," investment bank ...