Economy
Crude Oil Returns to $80 Amid Demand Concerns, Minimal War Risk
By Adedapo Adesanya
Crude oil prices rose to the $80 per barrel level on Thursday on the back of demand concerns and a drop in war-risk premium.
The price of Brent rose by 47 cents or 0.59 per cent during the session to $80.01 a barrel and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 41 cents or 0.54 per cent to trade at $75.74 a barrel.
According to analysts, the market is clearly less concerned about the potential for Middle Eastern supply disruptions and is instead focused on an easing in the balance.
They noted that fears of Middle East supply disruptions have eased since the Israel-Hamas has not affected underlying oil market fundamentals.
Oil prices have remained below where they were in late September, a week before the Hamas attack indicating that strong oil market fundamentals are prevailing over any fears at the moment.
Data from China on Thursday showed policymakers struggling to control disinflation, raising doubt over the chances of economic recovery in the world’s biggest commodity consumer.
China’s consumer prices swung lower in October, as key gauges of domestic demand pointed to weakness not seen since the pandemic, while factory-gate deflation deepened, casting doubts over the chances of a broad-based economic recovery.
The consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0.2 per cent in October from a year earlier and slipped 0.1 per cent from September, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Thursday.
Also, the world’s biggest crude oil importer total exports of goods and services contracted faster than expected, feeding worries about the energy demand outlook.
US crude oil inventories increased by 11.9 million barrels over the week to November 3, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) figures.
If confirmed, this would represent the biggest weekly build since February. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA), however, has delayed the release of weekly oil inventory data until November 15 for a system upgrade.
There also remains the belief that major central banks have completed their rate hikes.
High-interest rates raise the cost of borrowing, dampening demand in markets, including oil.
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are due to offer their view on the state of oil demand and supply fundamentals next week.
OPEC is set to meet at the end of the month to discuss output policy for 2024.
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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