Economy

Asian Stocks Close Mixed after US Shares Fall

Published

9 years ago

26/10/2017

By Investors Hub

Asian stocks turned in a mixed performance on Thursday after U.S. shares fell the most in seven weeks overnight in the wake of a string of disappointing earnings reports and rising bond yields.

Investors also digested regional corporate earnings results and looked for direction from the European Central Bank policy meeting later in the day.

China’s Shanghai Composite index rose 11.35 points or 0.3 percent to 3,408.24 after President Xi Jinping’s vast “Belt and Road” infrastructure project was included in the ruling Communist Party’s constitution. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 100.51 points or 0.4 percent to 28,202.38.

Japanese shares eked out modest gains on earnings optimism and the prospect of further stimulus from the government. The Nikkei 225 Index edged up 32.16 points or 0.2 percent to 21,739.78, while the broader Topix index closed 0.1 percent higher at 1.753.90.

Brokerage Daiwa Securities Group rallied 5.4 percent after announcing a share buyback. Panasonic climbed 2.5 percent on a Nikkei report that it plans to expand production across all its battery factories. On the other hand, Advantest and Kobe Steel were among the prominent decliners.

Australian shares recovered from early losses to end modestly higher, led by gold miners, healthcare and consumer staple stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 10.70 points or 0.2 percent to 5,916.30, and the broader All Ordinaries Index ended up 9.80 points or 0.2 percent at 5,982.50.

Newcrest Mining, Regis Resources and Evolution Mining climbed 1-4 percent as gold recovered from 2-1/2 week lows. Blood products giant CSL edged up 0.3 percent and retailer Wesfarmers advanced 0.7 percent. Vitamin maker Blackmores gained half a percent after the company ended its infant formula venture with Bega.

Meanwhile, lender ANZ fell 1.2 percent after it reported an 18 percent jump in annual cash profit but cautioned on its revenue growth outlook. Qantas Airways lost 1.4 percent after the airline warned that it expects a tough second half due to rising fuel costs.

Mining giant Fortescue Metals Group tumbled 3.6 percent as it reported a slight dip in the iron shipped in the September quarter and downgraded its forward price guidance. Heavyweight BHP Billiton dropped 0.7 percent, hit by a drop in iron ore prices.

Economy

SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs

Published

8 hours ago

08/06/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.

Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.

This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.

In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.

“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.

“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.

“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.

Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

Published

8 hours ago

08/06/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.

The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.

They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.

“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”

Economy

FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure

Published

16 hours ago

08/06/2026

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.

This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.

This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.

The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.

In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.

It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.

The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.

“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.