Economy
Asian Shares Rise as US, China Hold Talks Next Week
By Investors Hub
Asian shares rose on Friday after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the United States and China were “making a lot of progress” in talks and he looks forward to discussions with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He next week.
Separately, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Thursday that the U.S. is “miles and miles” from a trade deal with China but there is a fair chance they will get a deal.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 10.03 points or 0.4 percent to 2,601.72, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index soared 448.21 points or 1.7 percent to 27,569.19.
Japanese shares a hit five-week high as chip-related firms tracked their U.S. peers higher following well-received earnings out of the semiconductor sector.
The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 198.93 points or 1 percent to 20,773.56, the highest closing level since December 19th. The broader Topix closed 0.9 percent higher at 1,566.10.
Sumco Corp. jumped 11.6 percent, Tokyo Electron rallied 4.7 percent and Advantest added 4.9 percent on hopes for a recovery in the global chip sector. Apple suppliers Murata Manufacturing and Alps Alpine rose 5-6 percent.
Nissan Motor gained 2.5 percent after Renault appointed Michelin boss Jean-Dominique Senard as its new chairman.
On the economic front, a government report showed that overall consumer prices in the Tokyo region rose an annual 0.4 percent in January. That was unchanged from the December reading, although it exceeded expectations for an increase of 0.2 percent.
Australian markets rose notably as higher commodities and oil prices helped lift mining and energy stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 39.90 points or 0.7 percent to 5,905.60, while the broader All Ordinaries Index ended up 40.60 points or 0.7 percent at 5,971.10.
Mining heavyweights BHP and Rio Tinto rose over 1 percent after iron ore prices rallied overnight. Gold miner Evolution Mining advanced 1.1 percent and Newcrest surged up 1.7 percent.
Oil Search, Woodside Petroleum, Santos and Beach Energy gained 1-2 percent as oil extended overnight gains.
Banks ANZ, NAB and Westpac rose between 0.6 percent and 1 percent, while wealth manager AMP slumped nearly 8 percent after reporting a steep drop in its annual profit.
Medical device maker Resmed plunged 12 percent after its top-line results for the second quarter missed analysts’ forecasts.
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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