Economy
Asian Stock Markets Record Strong Growth
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks rose broadly on Friday to extend a recovery as investors veered around to the view that the U.S.-China trade dispute will be less harmful to global growth than first feared.
Chinese stocks posted strong gains as investors continued to bet that Beijing will increase economic stimulus to boost the economy in the face of the trade war.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index soared 68.24 points or 2.5 percent to 2,797.48, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged up 475.91 points or 1.7 percent to 27,953.58.
Japanese shares rose for the sixth straight day, with a weaker yen and upbeat manufacturing data helping underpin investor sentiment.
The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in September, and at an accelerated pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed with a manufacturing PMI score of 52.9, up from 52.5 in August.
Another report showed that overall consumer prices in Japan rose an annual 1.3 percent in August, exceeding expectations for 1.1 percent and up from 0.9 percent in July.
The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 195.00 points or 0.8 percent to 23,869.93, a fresh eight-month high, as investors turned their focus to the second round of trade talks between Japan and the U.S. scheduled for September 24th. The broader Topix Index closed 0.9 percent higher at 1,804.02.
Banks and insurers were among the top gainers after the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose above 3 percent. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial rose 1.1 percent, T&D Holdings climbed 3.3 percent and Dai-ichi Life Holdings jumped 3.5 percent.
Shipping as well as other commodity-related stocks also attracted buying amid easing concerns over the impact from the U.S.-China trade war.
Australian markets advanced, led by banks and miners. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 25.10 points or 0.4 percent to 6,194.60, while the broader All Ordinaries Index ended up 28.50 points or 0.5 percent at 6,305.40.
Miners BHP Billion, Fortescue Metals Group and Rio Tinto climbed 2-4 percent after copper prices jumped more than 1 percent on the London Metal Exchange.
Banks ANZ, Commonwealth and Westpac eked out marginal gains, mirroring gains among their U.S. peers overnight. Retailer Woolworths Group gained 0.9 percent and energy major Woodside Petroleum added half a percent.
Propertylink Group soared 9.5 percent after the Australian arm of real estate developer ESR Group offered to acquire the company for A$693.2 million.
In economic news, S&P Global Ratings raised Australia?s sovereign rating outlook and said it expects the federal budget balance will return to a surplus by the early 2020s. The credit rating was affirmed at ‘AAA’ and the outlook was upwardly revised to ‘stable’ from ‘negative’.
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