Economy
European Stocks Recoup Early Losses to Trade Mixed
By Investors Hub
European shares have recouped early losses to trade mixed on Thursday as a slew of upbeat earnings results and encouraging regional data helped offset caution ahead of the US jobs report on Friday.
While the German DAX Index is down by 0.3 percent, the French CAC 40 Index is up by 0.4 percent and the UK’s FTSE 100 Index is up by 0.7 percent.
The Bank of England kept its record low interest rate unchanged in a split vote, as expected, and maintained the size of monetary stimulus.
The Monetary Policy Committee, headed by Governor Mark Carney, voted 6 to 2 to keep the interest rate at a historic low of 0.25 percent.
The bank downgraded its economic growth projections for 2017 to 1.7 percent from 1.9 percent and for 2018 to 1.6 percent from 1.7 percent. The outlook for 2019 was maintained at 1.8 percent.
UniCredit shares have jumped after the Italian bank posted strong profits for the second quarter, thanks to lower costs and higher fee income.
Retailer Next Plc has also advanced in London after posting sales growth in the second quarter and announcing a special quarterly dividend.
Gold producer Randgold Resources has climbed after solid first-half numbers. German telecom giant Deutsche Telekom has also risen after its second quarter profit topped forecasts.
On the flip side, British satellite operator Inmarsat has tumbled after its first-half sales growth slowed. Siemens shares have also fallen after the German industrial group said it plans to float its healthcare unit in the first half of 2018.
In economic news, a report from Eurostat showed that Eurozone retail sales grew unexpectedly in June. Retail sales climbed 0.5 percent from May.
Separately, final survey results from IHS Markit revealed that the Eurozone private sector grew at the slowest pace in six months in July. The final composite output index fell to 55.7 from 56.3 in June.
The UK service sector expanded again in July, with IHS Markit’s headline index rising to 53.8 from 53.4 in June. The score was forecast to rise moderately to 53.6.
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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