Economy
Asian Equities Close Mixed as Investors Await Fed’s Monetarry Policy Decision
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended mixed on Monday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated monetary policy decision due later in the week as well as new Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s first press conference for directional cues.
China’s S
hanghai Composite index rose 0.29 percent to 3,279.25 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was marginally higher in late trade after Chinese President Xi Jinping was re-elected unanimously to the post over the weekend by the country’s legislature.
Japanese shares closed lower after an opinion poll showed Prime Minister Abe’s support falling to its lowest since he took office in 2012.
The Nikkei average fell 195.61 points or 0.90 percent to 21,480.90, its lowest close since March 9, while the broader Topix index closed 0.96 percent lower at 1,719.97. Exporters, banks and brokerages paced the decliners.
Investors ignored preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance showing that Japan’s exports and imports grew more-than-expected in February. The value of exports climbed 1.8 percent year-over-year in February, faster than the 1.4 percent rise economists had forecast.
Imports surged 16.5 percent in February from a year ago, just above the expected spike of 16.0 percent. As a result, the overall trade surplus declined notably to JPY 3.4 billion in February from JPY 804.5 billion in the same month of 2017.
Australian shares ended a choppy session higher even as banks extended recent losses ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting this week.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 10 points or 0.17 percent to 5,959.40 while the broader All Ordinaries index ended up 9.80 points or 0.16 percent at 6,064.70.
Banks Commonwealth and NAB as well as retailer Wesfarmers shed around 0.6 percent each. Mining heavyweights BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto eked out modest gains, while energy stocks such as Woodside Petroleum and Santos climbed 2-3 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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