Economy
European Stocks React to Bank of England Interest Rate News
By Investors Hub
European stocks have turned mixed on the day following the Bank of England’s announcement to raise interest rates for the first time in over a decade.
While the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index has advanced by 0.7 percent, the German DAX Index and the French CAC 40 Index are down by 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
The BoE voted by a majority of 7 to 2 to increase the bank rate by 0.25 percentage points to 0.5 percent, as was widely anticipated.
The rate increase largely reflected concerns about the outlook for inflation, which soared to a five-year high of 3 percent in September.
In his subsequent press conference, BoE Governor Mark Carney said two additional rate hikes are needed to in order to get inflation to return to target.
On the economic front, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for the eurozone rose to an 80-month high of 58.5 in October from 58.1 in September, final data from IHS Markit showed. Nonetheless, the reading was slightly below the initial estimate of 58.6.
Credit Suisse Group shares have jumped after the Swiss banking giant reported a significantly higher profit in its third quarter with strong wealth management results.
Hugo Boss has also soared as the German luxury fashion house raised its 2017 sales guidance after reporting a slight increase in third quarter revenue.
Meanwhile, Sanofi shares have fallen after the French drug giant reported a decline in third quarter profits but confirmed its full-year 2017 guidance for business earnings per share to be broadly stable at constant exchange rates.
Playtech shares have plummeted in London after the online casino games giant issued a profit warning, citing a slowdown in certain parts of Asia and problems with the Sun Bingo contract.
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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