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Economy

Asian Stocks Down as Investors Monitor US-China Trade Talks

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By Investors Hub

Asian stocks closed broadly lower on Friday as investors kept a close watch on U.S.-China trade talks and waited for cues from the U.S. jobs report due later in the day.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index slid 9.83 points or 0.3 percent to finish at 3,091.03, as traders remained focus on the U.S.-China trade talks as well as upcoming U.S. employment data.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slumped 386.87 points or 1.3 percent to 29,926.50 after the latest survey from Nikkei showed the private sector in Hong Kong swung to contraction in April.

Australian shares retreated as banks succumbed to selling pressure on weaker local currency and amid concerns that an extended period of low interest rates may weigh on their net interest rate margins.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 35.40 points or 0.6 percent to 6,062.90, and the broader All Ordinaries Index ended down 31.60 points or 0.5 percent at 6,155.40.

The big four banks fell between 0.6 percent and 1.6 percent, while investment bank Macquarie Group inched up 0.2 percent after posting a record full year net profit.

Wealth manager AMP gained half a percent after it strenuously denied allegations it may have committed a criminal offence. A drop in iron ore and aluminum prices weighed on the mining sector, with South32 shares ending down more than 3 percent.

Commercial explosives maker Orica Ltd rallied 3.3 percent on news that it will set aside A$115 million ($86.84 million) towards provision for environmental cleanup.

Seoul stocks fell as investors sold off healthcare stocks on worries over their future growth. The benchmark Kospi tumbled 25.87 points or 1 percent to finish at 2,461.38. Samsung BioLogics slumped 7.8 percent to extend recent losses, while biosimiliar firm Celltrion Inc. lost 4.6 percent.

South Korea posted a current account surplus of $5.18 billion in March, the Bank of Korea said today, up from $3.96 billion in February. The goods account surplus widened to $9.88 billion compared to $9.36 billion a year earlier.

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

SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs

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capital market operators

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.

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Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

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fidson

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.”

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Economy

FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure

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FG contractors protest

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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