Nigerian naira gains 0.19 pct on dlr sales by energy companies

Nigeria's naira currency gained 0.19 percent on the interbank market on Wednesday, driven by dollar sales by major energy companies, including state-owned NNPC.
The currency closed at 161.80 to the dollar, from 162.12 the previous day.
Chevron's unit sold $60.7 million, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) sold an unspecified amount and NNPC asked lenders to bid for its usual dollar sale, prompting gains in the naira's value.
Nigeria's currency touched a five-week low against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, on renewed dollar demand, but the currency recovered some lost ground this week after a unit of Royal Dutch Shell came twice into the market.
"We probably stay on sub-162 to the dollar for some time till any major demand for the dollar hits the market," one dealer said.
Traders said the local currency could gain slightly on Thursday. NNPC is responsible for a substantial proportion of the dollar flows in Africa's biggest economy.