Economy
European Stocks Surge Friday Amid IHS Markit Flash Data
By Investors Hub
European stocks have steadied on Friday after a bout of selling earlier this week on concerns that U.S. legislation on Hong Kong could increase tensions between the United States and Beijing.
China said both sides still maintain communication channels, helping ease worries over the possible delay of a preliminary trade deal.
Separately, a report from the Wall Street Journal said China’s chief trade negotiator has invited his American counterparts to Beijing for a new round of face-to-face talks.
While the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index has surged up by 1.4 percent, the French CAC 40 Index and the German DAX Index are up by 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
British property website operator Rightmove has moved to the upside after announcing the appointment of Andrew Fisher as non-executive Chairman, effective 1 January 2020.
Vonovia has also edged higher. The German residential property company said that it currently controls 72.3 percent of the votes in Hembla.
On the other hand, Aryzta shares have tumbled after the Swiss-Irish baker said its organic revenue fell 2.5 percent during the first quarter of its financial year.
Hochschild Mining has also fallen. The company said it remains firmly on track to meet the company’s 2019 output guidance of 457,000 gold equivalent ounces or 37.0 million silver equivalent ounces.
On the data front, investors shrugged off flash data from IHS Markit showing that the euro area private sector remained close to stagnant for a third consecutive month in November.
The composite output index unexpectedly fell to 50.3 in November from 50.6 in October. The reading signaled the second slowest growth across manufacturing and services since the current upturn began in July 2013.
The U.K. services purchasing managers index fell to a 40-month low in November, while the manufacturing PMI slipped to a two-month low.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank’s ultra-loose monetary policy is supporting the euro area economy and will continue to do so to ensure inflation returns to its target, new ECB President Christine Lagarde said.
?The ECB’s accommodative policy stance has been a key driver of domestic demand during the recovery, and that stance remains in place,” Lagarde said in a speech at the Frankfurt European Banking Congress.
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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