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Economy

Asian Stocks Close Mixed Amid Struggle for Direction

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By Investors Hub

Asian stocks struggled for direction before finishing on a mixed note on Tuesday, as dismal business activity readings in Europe deepened fears of a looming recession and investors awaited fresh developments in the U.S.-China trade standoff.

Chinese stocks advanced on renewed optimism that policymakers will step up efforts to stabilize economic growth. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 8.26 points, or 0.3 percent, to finish at 2,985.34, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 58.60 points, or 0.2 percent, to 26,281.

Japanese stocks ended roughly flat as traders returned to their desks after a long holiday weekend. The Nikkei 225 Index ended marginally higher at 22,098.84, while the broader Topix closed 0.4 percent higher at 1,622.94, a five-month high.

Investors shrugged off survey results from IHS Markit showing that Japan’s private sector expanded at a slightly slower pace in September as manufacturing activity contracted further amid rising external headwinds.

Tech stocks surged, with Advantest climbing 1.8 percent and Tokyo Electron adding 1.2 percent. Exporters Panasonic, Honda Motor and Canon dropped 1-2 percent as the dollar held little changed against the yen.

Market heavyweight SoftBank gave up 1.8 percent and Fast Retailing declined 1.2 percent. Nissan Motor shed 1 percent as the carmaker and its former chief executive Carlos Ghosn agreed to pay a combined $16 million to settle U.S. fraud charges.

Oriental Land rose over 3 percent on news the Tokyo Disney Resort operator would raise theme park admission fees beginning October 1.

Australian markets ended flat with a negative bias, with financials and gold miners surging while lower copper prices weighed on the mining sector.

Banks ANZ, NAB and Westpac rose between 0.4 percent and 1.3 percent ahead of a speech by RBA Governor Philip Lowe later in the day.

Gold miner Newcrest rallied 2 percent and Northern Star jumped 3 percent after gold prices rose to a more than two-week high overnight on the back of recession fears.

Mining heavyweight BHP dropped 1 percent and smaller rival Fortescue Metals Group lost 2.7 percent.

Seoul stocks gained ground for the 13th straight day as investors looked forward to the next round of U.S.-China trade talks. The benchmark Kospi climbed 9.34 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,101.04.

Hyundai Motor gained 0.8 percent and Hyundai Mobis jumped 3.2 percent on news they will form a $4 billion joint venture to develop a self-driving platform with Aptiv.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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zichis

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”

In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”

“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.

Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”

“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”

Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.

It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.

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Economy

NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.

In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).

The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.

According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.

The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”

The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.

“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.

“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”

It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.

“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”

NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares

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Dangote Refinery Crude Supply to Local Refineries

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.

The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.

Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.

“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.

Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.

In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.

“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.

He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”

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