Nigeria, March 2 -- A good number of spectacular results and dividend declarations by mega-cap companies on the Nigerian Exchange last week shows the current uptrend in the market could last longer.

The impact of that may define the direction of trade this week, even as analysts and investors await the earnings release of big lenders.

The market shed 1.1 per cent during the week on the back of profit-taking actions.

"Ongoing earnings releases and dividend expectations should continue to keep investors interested in the market," analysts at Meristem Securities said in their outlook for the week.

"While some investors may lock in profits after the recent run-up, current market behaviour suggests that investors are rotating funds within ...