Economy
Trump’s Comments Fortify Asian Stock Markets
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks rose broadly on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington was in the “final throes of a very important deal.”
Trump?s comment came after the Chinese commerce ministry said that top negotiators from the U.S. and China have reached a common understanding on resolving problems toward the signing of a phase one trade deal.
Chinese shares fluctuated before ending lower after official data showed China’s industrial profits declined at a faster pace in October due largely to falling producer prices and slowdowns in production and sales growth.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slipped 3.87 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,903.19, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 40.08 points, or 0.2 percent, to 26,954.00.
China’s industrial profits decreased 9.9 percent on a yearly basis in October following a 5.3 percent decrease in September. This was the third consecutive decrease. During January to October, industrial profits logged an annual fall of 2.9 percent.
Japanese shares moved higher for the fourth straight session in light of more upbeat signals from U.S.-China trade talks. The Nikkei 225 Index rose 64.45 points, or 0.3 percent, to 23,437.77, while the broader Topix closed 0.3 percent higher at 1,710.98.
A cheaper yen helped lift exporters, with Hitachi and Fujitsu ending up over 2 percent each. Resource stocks such as Sumitomo Metal Mining and Inpex Corp. also rose around 2 percent on trade deal hopes.
Australian markets rose sharply, with financials and resource companies leading the surge after Trump said the United States and China are close to an agreement on the first phase of a trade deal.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 63.10 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,850.60, while the broader All Ordinaries Index ended up 60.80 points, or 0.9 percent, at 6,950.60.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group rose half a percent after the lender said it is not aware of any impending litigation from the financial crimes watchdog. Commonwealth Bank shares rallied 1.2 percent.
Worley, a leader in engineering, procurement and construction for the energy, chemicals and resources sector, jumped 2.7 percent after signing an enabling agreement with ExxonMobil Global Services Company.
Rio Tinto gained 1.1 percent after the mining giant said it had approved a $749 million investment in its Greater Tom Price operations.
Gold miner Evolution Mining soared 5.1 percent after it agreed to buy Newmont Goldcorp’s Red Lake gold mining complex in Canada.
Grocery chain Woolworths Group advanced 1.3 percent on news its CEO Brad Banducci would forgo his bonus following an underpayment scandal.
South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.3 percent to 2,127.85. The country’s consumer sentiment index climbed to 100.9 in November from 98.6 in October, survey results from the Bank of Korea revealed. This was the highest score since last April, when it was 101.6.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn