Economy
Fresh Worries Weigh on Asian Stocks, Close Lower
By Investors Hub
Asian stocks ended broadly lower on Wednesday amid renewed Brexit uncertainty after British lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to fast track his Brexit deal through parliament.
After suffering another humiliating defeat, Johnson said it was up to the EU to decide whether it wanted to delay Brexit and for how long.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index dropped 12.76 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,941.62, as investors kept an eye on developments surrounding Brexit and U.S.-China trade talks. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slid 219.47 points, or 0.8 percent, to 26,566.73.
Hong Kong’s consumer price index rose 3.2 percent year-on-year in September, slower than the 3.5 percent increase in August, a government report showed. The latest inflation rate was the lowest since May, when it was 2.8 percent.
Meanwhile, Japanese shares eked out modest gains as the yen held stable and investors awaited the start of the corporate earnings season. The Nikkei 225 Index rose 76.48 points, or 0.3 percent, to 22,625.38, while the broader Topix closed 0.6 percent higher at 1,638.14.
Market heavyweight SoftBank Group lost 2.5 percent after WeWork accepted a financial rescue package from the former. Tech stocks edged lower, with Tokyo Electron falling 4.1 percent and Screen Holdings declining 1.8 percent.
Australian markets recovered from an early sell-off to end nearly flat. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index inched up 0.90 points to 6,673.10, while the broader All Ordinaries Index edged down 0.40 points to 6,778.20.
Banks ended narrowly mixed, while global miner Rio Tinto edged up 0.4 percent after warning it may close an unprofitable aluminum smelter on New Zealand’s South Island.
Energy stocks finished broadly higher, with Santos rising 1.7 percent after oil prices rose almost 2 percent overnight.
WiseTech Global soared 8.5 percent after the logistics software firm issued a detail rebuttal of allegations against the company by short-seller J Capital Research.
Bubs Australia fell over 2 percent after the infant formula maker expanded the role of Dennis Lin by making him executive chairman.
Seoul stocks fell on profit taking after sharp gains in the previous session. The benchmark Kospi slid 8.24 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,080.62 after climbing 1 percent in the previous session.
Shares of Samsung BioLogics soared 8.3 percent amid bets the drugmaker would win a contract manufacturing deal from Biogen.
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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