Economy
Asian Equities Close Mixed on Friday
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended mixed on Friday as investors reacted to conflicting messages about the state of U.S.-China trade talks.
Trade deal optimism waned a little bit after reports suggested that a plan to roll back tariffs in phases has met opposition from some advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Chinese shares ended lower even as data showed China’s exports and imports contracted less than expected in October. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 14.53 points, or 0.5 percent, to finish at 2,964.18, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 196.09 points, or 0.7 percent, to 27,651.14.
Chinese exports fell 0.9 percent year-on-year in dollar terms, declining for the third straight month. Economists had expected a 3.9 percent slump following September’s 3.2 percent contraction.
Imports declined 6.4 percent from a year earlier, slower than the forecast of a 7.8 percent fall. This was the sixth consecutive decrease, reflecting subdued demand.
Japanese shares hit a 13-month high after data showed the country’s household spending rose at the fastest pace on record in September. The average of household spending in Japan rose an annual 9.5 percent in real terms in September, beating forecasts for an increase of 7.0 percent following the 1.0 percent gain in August.
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 61.55 points, or 0.3 percent, to 23,391.87, while the broader Topix closed 0.3 percent higher at 1,702.77, its highest level in more than a year.
Automaker Toyota rallied 2.2 percent after announcing a $1.8 billion share buyback. Medical equipment maker Terumo soared 13.4 percent and department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi jumped 11.7 percent after posting strong quarterly earnings.
On the other hand, cosmetics maker Shiseido slumped 8.3 percent after lowering its full-year forecast.
Australian markets ended little changed with a negative bias. Financials extended gains from the previous session, with banks ANZ, Commonwealth and NAB rising between 0.2 percent and half a percent.
An overnight rally in oil prices lifted energy stocks, with Woodside Petroleum rallying 2 percent after raising its estimate for dry gas reserves at its Scarborough project. Santos advanced 1.5 percent and Origin Energy climbed 2.1 percent.
Meanwhile, gold miner Evolution Mining slumped 5.8 percent, Newcrest lost 4.6 percent and Norther Star Resources plunged 6.6 percent as gold lingered near one-month lows on positive trade-related headlines.
News Corp. lost 5 percent after impairment charges against its advertising business resulted in the media company reporting a first quarter loss.
REA Group tumbled 3.6 percent as it reported a 14 percent decrease in first-quarter group earnings excluding joint ventures and associates.
Seoul stocks turned lower as investors locked in some recent gains. The benchmark Kospi dropped 7.06 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,137.23, with technology stocks pacing the decliners. Samsung Electronics fell 1.5 percent and SK Hynix declined 1.6 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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