Economy
Asian Equities Close Broadly Lower on Possible US Action in Syria
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks closed broadly lower on Thursday as concerns over possible U.S. military action in Syria and hawkish statements from the Federal Reserve dented investors’ risk appetite.
Traders also awaited cues from the U.S. earnings season, which kicks off with a bang on Friday as some of the largest banks and financial services companies report their quarterly results.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 27.88 points or 0.9 percent to 3,180.20 amid rising Middle East tensions, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 66.43 points or 0.2 percent to 30,831.28.
Chinese foreign direct investment increased slightly in March, the Ministry of Commerce said. Foreign direct investment into China rose 0.4 percent year-on-year to CNY 88.14 billion in March. In the first quarter, FDI climbed 0.5 percent.
Japanese shares fell slightly as the dollar sagged against the yen on concerns about possible U.S. military action against Syria. The Nikkei 225 Index edged down 26.82 points or 0.1 percent to 21,660.28, while the broader Topix Index closed 0.4 percent lower at 1,718.52.
Convenience store operator Lawson fell almost 5 percent after the company said its fiscal year operating profit for year ending February 2019 will likely fall by 8.8 percent. On the positive side, Aeon jumped 4 percent after reporting a 14 percent rise in annual profit.
Japan Petroleum jumped 3 percent after oil prices hit their highest level in more than three years overnight. Japan’s Fast Retailing rallied 2.1 percent. The Uniqlo owner raised its annual profit forecast after reporting a 35 percent increase in its second quarter operating profit.
Household goods retailer Ryohin Keikaku soared 5.2 percent. The company said it expects an 11 percent rise in its net profit for the year through February 2019.
Australian shares closed modestly lower after Trump warned of imminent U.S. military action in Syria. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 13.20 points or 0.2 percent to 5,815.50, and the broader All Ordinaries Index ended down 14.40 points or 0.2 percent at 5,911.40.
The big four banks fell between 0.3 percent and 0.8 percent, while miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto rose 0.7 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.
Energy stocks also closed broadly higher after oil prices hit their highest level since late-2014 on Wednesday. Oil Search, Origin Energy and Beach Energy rallied 1-2 percent.
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.
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.”
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.
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