Economy
Asian Stocks Finish Higher as US-China Trade War Eases
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Thursday on expectations that U.S. threats to expand tariffs are bluff and bluster and trade agreements will ultimately be reached.
Oil steadied after going into free fall on Wednesday amid supply concerns and the yen weakened ahead of U.S. consumer price inflation due tonight, while gold held steady near a one-week low.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index soared 60.53 points or 2.2 percent to 2,838.30 after plunging 1.8 percent in the previous session on trade worries.
China has vowed to take countermeasures in response to the new U.S. tariffs, which will not take effect until after a two-month review process. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 169.14 points or 0.6 percent to finish at 28,480.83.
Japanese shares recovered from sharp losses in the previous session after the dollar hit a six-month high against the yen on the back of strong producer price inflation data released overnight.
The Nikkei 225 Index rallied 255.75 points or 1.2 percent to 22,187.96, while the broader Topix Index closed 0.5 percent higher at 1,709.68.
Electronics maker Sony rose 0.9 percent, automaker Honda Motor gained 0.7 percent and Toyota Motor added 1.4 percent. Market heavyweight Fast Retailing jumped 3.8 percent.
Mobile carrier SoftBank soared 6.4 percent after U.S. investment fund Tiger Global acquired a stake of more than $1 billion in the company.
Australian shares advanced as investors brushed aside trade war fears. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose steadily to end the session up by 52.70 points or 0.9 percent at 6,268.30, while the broader All Ordinaries Index climbed 49.60 points or 0.8 percent to 6,349.80.
The big four banks jumped between 1.6 percent and 2.2 percent after the sector watchdog said there is no evidence of a mortgage credit crunch. Healthcare stocks also gained ground, with CSL rising 2.6 percent and Cochlear adding 1.3 percent.
Meanwhile, a plunge in base metal prices weighed on miners, with heavyweights BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto ending down 0.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. Woodside Petroleum shed 0.9 percent and Origin Energy tumbled over 3 percent after oil prices fell 5 percent overnight on supply worries.
On the data front, Australia’s inflationary expectations declined in July, survey data from the Melbourne Institute showed. The expected inflation rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 3.9 percent from 4.2 percent in June.
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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