Economy
Asian Shares Close Mixed on Cautious Trading
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended mixed on Friday, with anxiety around Brexit and conflicting reports about progress in U.S.-China trade talks keeping investors nervous.
Investors remained focused on the political turmoil in the U.K. after several ministers, including Brexit Minister Dominic Raab, resigned in protest to Prime Minister Theresa May’s draft Brexit agreement.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.4 percent to hit a fresh one-month high of 2,679.11 after Beijing reportedly delivered a written response to U.S. trade demands, raising hopes of a thaw in trade relations. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index finished higher by 0.3 percent at 26,183.53.
Meanwhile, Japanese shares fell as Nvidia’s weaker than expected revenues pulled down semiconductor-related stocks. The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 0.6 percent to 21,680.34, while the broader Topix index closed 0.6 percent lower at 1,629.30.
Gaming giant Nintendo slumped more than 9 percent to post its biggest daily drop since July 2016 after Nvidia said that that demand for its Tegra chips from the game console market would be weak in the upcoming quarter. Advantest lost 7.6 percent and Tokyo Electron tumbled 4.3 percent.
Fanuc fell 2 percent and Jtekt Corp. declined 0.4 percent. The Nikkei Asian Review reported that China’s Ministry of Commerce has launched an investigation into alleged dumping of machine tools by Fanuc and Jtekt as well as two other Japanese companies.
Australian markets finished marginally lower amid uncertainty surrounding Brexit and ongoing vitality in oil prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index edged down 0.1 percent to 5,730.60, taking the weekly loss to 3.2 percent.
Oil majors closed mostly lower, although Origin Energy climbed 1.5 percent. Santos shed 0.6 percent after the competition watchdog approved its $2.15 billion acquisition of Quadrant Energy.
The big four banks slipped between 0.1 percent and half a percent. Investment bank Macquarie Group inched up 0.2 percent after upgrading its profit guidance.
Gold miners Newcrest and Evolution dropped 1-2 percent. Struggling department store chain Myer Holdings entered a trading halt, pending an announcement on reports of declining sales.
Higher commodity prices on hopes for a resolution in the U.S.-China relations helped lift resource stocks. Mining heavyweights BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto rose 1-2 percent, while smaller rival Fortescue Metals Group jumped 3.8 percent.
South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.2 percent to 2,092.40 as investor concerns over the U.S.-China trade friction eased. Pharmaceutical giant Celltrion jumped 2.5 percent, while tech heavyweight SK Hynix lost 2.4 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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