Economy
Asian Stocks Close Mixed Amid Renewed Trade Worries
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended mixed on Friday, as caution prevailed amid renewed trade worries and ahead of the release of the U.S. jobs data for July later in the day.
China?s Shanghai Composite Index dropped 27.58 points or 1 percent to 2,740.44 after a survey from Caixin showed China?s services sector continued to expand in July, albeit at a slower pace. Hong Kong?s Hang Seng Index edged down 38.24 points or 0.1 percent to 27,676.32.
The service sector PMI stood at 52.8, down from 53.9 in the previous month as new orders expanded at their weakest rate in more than two and a half years.
Japanese shares closed roughly flat as trade war jitters and caution ahead of key U.S. jobs data kept investors on the sidelines. The Nikkei 225 Index inched up 12.65 points or 0.1 percent to 22,525.18, while the broader Topix Index closed 0.5 percent lower at 1,742.58, dragged down by banks.
Suzuki Motor jumped 8.6 percent after the automaker posted a record-high operating profit in the first quarter. On the other hand, Toyota Motor shed 0.9 percent despite reporting a 19 percent rise in first quarter profits, beating estimates.
In economic news, the services sector in Japan continued to expand in July, albeit at a slower pace, the latest survey from Nikkei showed with a PMI score of 51.3, down from 51.4 in the previous month.
Minutes from the Bank of Japan?s June meeting showed that board members were worried about soft inflation and the rising cost of ultra-loose monetary policy.
Australian shares fluctuated before closing marginally lower on trade war concerns. Weaker base metal prices on concerns over a global trade war weighed on the mining sector, with BHP Billiton losing 1.6 percent and Rio Tinto ending down 1.4 percent. Banks ANZ, Commonwealth and Westpac fell around 1 percent.
Meanwhile, a weaker Aussie dollar helped lift healthcare stocks, with Cochlear and CSL rising half a percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Energy stocks such as Woodside Petroleum and Origin Energy rose 1-2 percent after U.S. crude futures rose nearly 2 percent on Thursday amid expectations that inventories would soon decline again.
On the data front, retail sales figures for June topped forecasts, while a survey showed Australia’s service sector activity expanded at a much slower rate in July.
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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