Economy
Asian Equities Rise on Encouraging Chinese Data
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended mostly higher on Wednesday as investors cheered encouraging data from China as well as news that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will officially withdraw a controversial extradition bill that triggered months of unrest.
Investors kept a close eye on international trade developments after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would be “tougher” on Beijing if negotiations extended beyond the 2020 U.S. presidential election and he is re-elected.
Chinese shares rose sharply after a report showed growth in China’s service sector accelerated in August despite broader economic headwinds. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index climbed 27.26 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,957.41.
China’s private sector logged its fastest growth in four months in August as both manufacturers and service providers saw improved rates of activity growth, survey data from IHS Markit showed. The Caixin composite output index climbed to 51.6 from 50.9 in July.
Activity across the service sector advanced at a faster pace than in the manufacturing sector. The services Purchasing Managers’ Index came in at a three-month high of 52.1, up from 51.6 in July.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index soared 3.9 percent to finish at 26,523.23 after reports the embattled leader of Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, will formally withdraw a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to China.
Japanese shares finished marginally higher as a weak yen and encouraging service sector activity data prompted some late bargain hunting.
Service sector growth in Japan accelerated in August, the latest survey from Jibun Bank revealed with a PMI score of 53.3, up from 51.8 in July.
The Nikkei 225 Index inched up 23.98 points, or 0.1 percent, to 20,649.14, but the broader Topix closed 0.3 percent lower at 1,506.81.
Gaming company Nintendo jumped 2.6 percent after announcing a new Nintendo Direct broadcast. Clothing chain operator Fast Retailing rose 0.9 percent as it announced a 9.9 percent rise in same-store sales at its Uniqlo outlets in Japan in August.
Australian markets ended lower after the release of mixed domestic data, with GDP expanding at its slowest pace in a decade last quarter.
In seasonally adjusted terms, GDP grew 0.5 percent over the June quarter, or 1.4 percent for the year ? marking the worst annual growth recorded since the global financial crisis in the September quarter of 2009, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.
Meanwhile, the latest survey from the Australian Industry Group revealed that the service sector in Australia moved into expansion territory in August with a Performance of Services Index score of 51.4, up sharply from 43.9.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 20.40 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,553, while the broader All Ordinaries Index ended down 17.40 points, or 0.3 percent, at 6,656.10.
The big four banks ended down between 0.1 percent and 0.4 percent. Mining and energy stocks turned in a mixed performance.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank edged up 0.3 percent and Bank of Queensland shed 0.9 percent after the country’s corporate regulator sued the two regional banks over ‘unfair’ contracts.
Export-driven healthcare stocks lost ground, with biotech major CSL declining 1.5 percent and Ramsay Health Care losing 1.1 percent.
Papua New Guinea-based Oil Search rallied 3.3 percent after the government said it would allow the Papua LNG project to go ahead in accordance with the terms of the gas agreement.
Gold miners Newcrest Mining and Evolution Mining jumped around 3 percent after gold prices surged overnight.
Seoul stocks rallied on renewed hopes of a U.S.-China trade deal. The benchmark Kospi jumped 22.84 points, or 1.2 percent, to 1,988.53 after falling sharply in the previous session.
Market heavyweight Samsung Electronics surged up 2 percent, while chipmaker SK Hynix soared 3.9 percent. Asiana Airlines slumped 4.5 percent after preliminary bids to acquire the carrier closed Tuesday with a three-way race.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions has called for stronger collaboration among financial sector regulators and other stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system and support sustainable economic growth.
The committee made the call during an expanded stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, attended by the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), among other industry stakeholders and financial experts.
Chairman of the committee, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), who was represented by Mr Osita Izunaso (Imo West), said stronger legislative reforms and regulatory collaboration were necessary to reposition Nigeria’s financial architecture for long-term economic prosperity.
Mr Abiru said the financial sector remained critical to investment, job creation, business expansion and macroeconomic stability, stressing that its ability to mobilise savings, channel credit to productive sectors, facilitate investment and manage risks was fundamental to sustainable economic growth.
He said the current economic realities required closer collaboration between the legislature and financial regulators, noting that challenges confronting the sector were interconnected and could not be effectively addressed through isolated interventions.
The lawmaker identified inflationary pressures, global economic uncertainties, cybersecurity threats, low insurance penetration and the need to diversify Nigeria’s export base as some of the challenges requiring coordinated policy responses.
He said the engagement was aimed at generating practical solutions to strengthen the country’s financial architecture and support sustainable economic growth.
According to him, monetary policy, financial safety nets, banking institutions, the insurance industry and export finance were interdependent components of a stable financial system and must therefore be strengthened collectively.
The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, said the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 had contributed significantly to stabilising and repositioning the insurance sector.
Mr Omosehin disclosed that 43 insurance companies had successfully recapitalised, describing the development as a major milestone for the industry.
He commended Abiru and members of the committee for their role in advancing insurance sector reforms and urged the House of Representatives to expedite action on the relevant insurance reform bill to enable it to receive presidential assent and become operational.
Representatives of the CBN Governor and the Managing Directors of AMCON, NEXIM and NDIC also commended the Senate committee for its oversight and legislative support, saying its interventions had strengthened the agencies’ capacity to discharge their statutory mandates.
The engagement, held under the theme, Strengthening Financial System Architecture for Sustainable Economic Growth and Stability in Nigeria, also featured presentations by Professor Uche Uwaleke, President of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (CMAN); Professor Biodun Adedipe, Chief Consultant, B. Adedipe Associates Limited; and Dr Tilewa Adebajo, Chief Executive Officer of CFG Advisory.
The experts presented policy recommendations on key issues affecting Nigeria’s financial system, with emphasis on financial stability, investment and sustainable economic growth.
Mr Abiru said the Senate would continue to engage financial regulators and other stakeholders to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen public confidence in financial institutions and improve regulatory effectiveness.
He said the broader objective was to position Nigeria’s financial system to compete more effectively in the global economy while remaining resilient and responsive to the country’s economic transformation agenda.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The first six months of 2026 were not too good for Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, as it suffered an N8.7 billion loss compared with the N2.1 billion net profit it recorded in the same period of 2025.
This occurred as the company posted a 10.91 per cent decline in earnings between January and June 2026, according to its financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2026.
Analysis of the results showed that the revenue generated in the period under review stood at N14.7 billion versus the N16.5 billion printed in the corresponding period of last year.
Business Post observed that the revenue was negatively impacted by a decline in earnings from helicopter charter and helicopter/airplane contract.
Further analysis of the financial results indicated that operating profit went down by 22.34 per cent to N7.3 billion from N9.4 billion, with administrative expenses jumping to N7.9 billion from N4.7 billion.
But Caverton believes things will get better, noting that the clearest driver of the recovery is Caverton Marine.
Through its relationship with Stena Bulk, one of the world’s leading tanker operators, the organisation now participates in three Suezmax tankers trading a rare source of foreign-currency revenue for a Nigerian-listed company.
It noted that the relationship is being deepened through Unity Shipping Worldwide, a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Stena Bulk that pairs the state-owned oil firm’s national position and Stena Bulk’s fleet with Caverton’s indigenous operating platform
Closer to home, the firm’s OMIBUS platform, developed with Shanghai-based electric-propulsion OEM Explomar, is bringing battery-electric passenger ferries to Lagos waterways. A prototype is already in service, and Caverton holds a firm order from Lagos State for ten vessels, an early-mover position in clean inland-water transport that the group believes can be replicated across other states as the fleet enters service and ferry operations mature into steady, recurring revenue.
In aviation, the institution said the recovery is anchored on its partnership with NHV, a Belgium-based international helicopter operator, with the restructuring of charter operations targeted for the second half of 2026.
“The first half of the year tested us, but the direction of travel is now visible in the numbers.
“Quarter on quarter, we are working to build up our revenue to narrow losses. Our marine business units, from international tankers to electric ferries, are scaling.
“Meanwhile, our aviation relaunch is on track for the second half, and our cost base is tighter than it has been in years. There is distance still to travel, but Caverton is moving from stabilisation to recovery, and we intend to finish 2026 with that momentum intact,” the chief executive of Caverton, Mr Olabode Makanjuola, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) have issued new guidelines clarifying the taxation of virtual assets in Nigeria.
The guidelines provide an administrative framework for the taxation of virtual assets and specify the tax obligations of individuals and businesses operating in the sector.
According to a public notice issued by the two agencies, the framework covers registration, reporting and record-keeping requirements, valuation principles and the tax treatment of virtual asset transactions.
It applies to taxpayers, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace operators, tax practitioners and other persons engaged in virtual asset-related activities.
The NRS and JRB said the guidelines were developed in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025.
The two bodies said the release was aimed at providing clarity, certainty and consistency in the administration of Nigeria’s tax laws as the country’s virtual asset ecosystem continues to evolve.
The agencies added that the framework would promote voluntary compliance, enhance transparency and support the development of a fair and efficient tax system for digital asset transactions.
They urged all affected taxpayers and stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the guidelines and ensure compliance with the applicable tax obligations.
The guidelines are available on the official websites of the two agencies.
