Economy
Asian Shares Fall as US, China Prepare for Trade Talks
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks fell broadly on Monday as caution set in ahead of U.S.-China trade talks set to resume this week and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy announcement due on Wednesday. Upbeat GDP and earnings numbers from the U.S. helped to limit the downside across the region.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 3.53 points or 0.1 percent to 2,941.01 as data showed profits earned by Chinese industrial firms contracted in June after a brief gain the previous month, adding to fears of a slowdown. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index tumbled 291.33 points or 1 percent to 28,106.41.
Industrial profits fell 3.1 percent in June from a year earlier to 601.9 billion yuan ($87.5 billion), according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday.
Japanese shares ended lower as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy board meeting and the U.S. FOMC meeting. The Nikkei 225 Index ended down 41.35 points or 0.2 percent at 21,616.80, while the broader Topix closed 0.2 percent lower at 1,568.57.
Exporters fell broadly as the yen strengthened against the dollar. Japan Post Holdings Co. declined 1.6 percent. The company reconfirmed that there is no plan to halt the sales of Aflac Japan’s cancer insurance through the Japan Post Group system.
In economic news, the value of retail sales in Japan was roughly unchanged in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, a government report showed. That exceeded expectations for a decline of 0.3 percent following the upwardly revised 0.4 percent gain in May.
Australian shares rose to close near record highs after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set all-time highs on Friday.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 32.40 points or 0.5 percent to 6,825.80, just 3 points shy of its best closing level ever. The broader All Ordinaries Index ended up 32.10 points or 0.5 percent at 6,911.40.
Tech stocks followed their U.S. peers higher, with Appen and Afterpay Touch climbing 3-4 percent. WiseTech Global advanced 1.8 percent.
Afterpay Touch said it has appointed an external auditor to conduct an AUSTRAC-ordered review of its compliance with financial crime regulation.
Healthcare stocks such as CSL and Cochlear rose about 1 percent. Mining giant Rio Tinto gained half a percent ahead of its first-half results due later this week.
Shares of infant-formula maker Bubs Australia surged 5.6 percent after the company reported record quarterly revenue.
On the other hand, rare earths producer Lynas Corp dropped 2.3 percent after reporting a decrease in quarterly revenue.
Seoul stocks fell for a fourth day to hit a two-month low amid growing uncertainties, such as a trade row with Japan and the U.S.-China trade war. The benchmark Kospi plunged 36.78 points or 1.8 percent to 2,029.48.
Japan will decide on August 2 whether to remove South Korea from its list of countries that enjoy preferential treatment in trade, potentially affecting some 1,000 industrial items.
Tech heavyweights came under heavy selling pressure as traders locked in profits after a recent rally. Samsung Electronics fell 2.2 percent and SK Hynix lost 3.5 percent.
Samsung Engineering jumped 4.2 percent after saying it is closing in on a deal worth 168.4 billion won (US$142 million) to build refinery facilities in Mexico.
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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