Economy
Asian Stocks Fall as US Congress Tightens Foreign Investment Rules
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks fell broadly on Wednesday, with Chinese and Hong Kong markets pacing regional declines after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to tighten foreign investment rules and the Trump administration threatened sanctions on countries that continue to import oil from Iran.
Chinese stocks fell sharply and the yuan hit its lowest level against the greenback since December 2017 on concerns over an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slumped 31.64 points or 1.1 percent to 2,812.87 after drifting into bear market territory the previous day. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index plunged 525.14 points or 1.8 percent to close at 28,356.26.
Japanese shares edged lower, although markets ended off their day’s lows on suspected ETF buying by the Bank of Japan. The Nikkei 225 Index slid 70.23 points or 0.3 percent to 22,271.77 as the dollar slipped against the yen on worries over U.S. protectionist policies.
The broader Topix index closed marginally higher at 1,731.45. Bridgestone, Canon and Japan Tobacco fell 3-4 percent on going ex-dividend. Automaker Honda Motor gave up 2.8 percent on tariff concerns.
Australian shares finished marginally lower as gains by mining and energy stocks were offset by weakness in the banking sector. Higher oil, copper and iron ore prices helped lift mining and energy stocks, with BHP Billiton, Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search climbing 1-2 percent.
Banks ended broadly lower on worries the tit-for-tat trade war may weigh on economic growth. Rail operator Aurizon Holdings tumbled 2.9 percent after saying its fiscal year 2019 year will be negatively impacted by several factors.
Seoul stocks fell amid rising trade tensions between the Unites States and other leading economies. The benchmark Kospi dropped 8.89 points or 0.4 percent to 2,342.03 despite foreign investors turning net buyers for the first time in three sessions.
Steelmaker Posco tumbled 3.2 percent and top chemical maker LG Chem lost 3.7 percent, while tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics advanced 2 percent.
Economy
SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs
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.
Economy
Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange
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.”
Economy
FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure
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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