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Asian Markets Look to Yellen

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BEIJING – Hong Kong stocks shot up on Tuesday, leading Asian gains, as the region moved higher ahead of Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s testimony to Congress.

The Hang Seng Index closed up 1.8% at 21963, its strongest daily percentage gain since November, as a number of factors combined to push the market higher. Financial stocks, beaten down in the recent emerging market selloff, recovered strongly, with moves exaggerated as some investors bought stocks to exit short positions that benefit when a stock falls in price.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China rose 2.4% in Hong Kong, while China Construction Bank added 3.1%.

In addition, Hong Kong was catching up with a rally in mainland China on Monday. The Shanghai Composite gained 2% in the previous session, while the Hang Seng lost 0.3%.

The mainland market moderated Tuesday from its strong showing in the previous session, with the Shanghai Composite ending 0.8% higher at 2103.67.

The focus in Shanghai was the debut of Foshan Haitian Flavoring & Food Co., the second-largest Chinese IPO since the country lifted its more-than one-year moratorium in January. The company raised 3.8 billion yuan ($627 million) in its recent public offering and ended the day up 29.6%.More broadly across Asia, the region tracked small overnight gains in the U.S., where Wall Street crept higherahead of Ms. Yellen’s testimony, scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Although Ms. Yellen isn’t expected to break any new ground, markets will be looking for clues on the central bank’s plans to pare back its bond-buying program in light of the recent disappointing U.S. economic data.

South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.5% to 1932.06, Singapore’s Straits Times Index was up 0.4% at 3029 and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.6% to 5254.50 as the country’s earnings session progressed.

Shares in Australia & New Zealand Banking Group rose 2.2% after the lender said its first-quarter profit rose almost 21%, while the quality of the bank’s credit continued to improve. Cash profit, a measure that strips out one-time items and is closely followed by investors, rose 13%.

The world’s largest manufacturer of hearing implants, Cochlear, plunged 8.9% in Sydney after the company made its second profit downgrade since June. The company is trying to win back trust with a new device, the Nucleus 6, after it had to recall a previous model in 2011 due to defects.

Australia’s largest investment bank was also in focus on Tuesday, as shares in Macquarie Group dropped 3.8% after the company said that client activity remains subdued in some businesses tied to capital markets, though it reaffirmed that its financial performance would improve this fiscal year as market conditions continue to improve.

Japan was closed for a public holiday on Tuesday, and the yen was steady in Asian trade—last at ¥102.23, compared with ¥102.27 late Monday in New York.

– WALLSTREET JOURNAL

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Pinnacle Convenes 2026 Vendors’ Forum

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With a view to improving operational efficiency, safety, compliance and service delivery across its operations, Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited has reaffirmed commitment to building stronger relationships with its vendors.

The company made the commitment at its 2026 Vendors’ Forum held in Lagos under the theme, “Partnering for Operational Excellence,” with the sub-theme, “Strengthening Partnerships Through Compliance, Safety, Performance and Innovation.”

The forum brought together more than 100 existing and prospective vendors as well as key stakeholders, both physically and virtually, to strengthen collaboration and align suppliers with the company’s operational standards and growth strategy.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil & Gas, Adenike Labinjo, described vendors as strategic partners whose commitment to quality, innovation, safety and compliance is critical to the company’s success.

She said as Pinnacle continues to expand its operations, it has become increasingly important for the company and its vendors to share a common understanding of expectations, responsibilities and performance standards.

Labinjo stressed that safety, regulatory compliance and ethical business practices remain non-negotiable in all engagements with suppliers.

She noted that stronger collaboration with vendors would help the company deliver greater value to customers and other stakeholders while supporting sustainable business growth.

The forum featured technical presentations by senior executives from the company’s Procurement, Engineering, Compliance, Finance, Legal, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Sales and Marketing departments.

Participants received guidance on Pinnacle’s procurement procedures, vendor onboarding and prequalification processes, Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, tax invoicing, payment processes, contractual obligations, technical specifications, contractor responsibilities, supplier performance expectations and Service Level Agreements.

The company also unveiled improvements to its Purchase Order (PO) process aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business with vendors.

A major highlight of the event was an interactive question-and-answer session where vendors engaged directly with the company’s leadership on procurement procedures, compliance requirements, project execution, HSE standards and areas for continuous improvement.

According to Pinnacle, the session reinforced its commitment to transparency, open communication and stronger collaboration with suppliers.

ALSO READ: Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1

The company also recognised outstanding vendors whose contributions have supported its operational performance over the past year. Five companies received Certificates of Recognition for exceptional service delivery, innovation and partnership.

The award recipients were Great Grace Enterprise for Outstanding Delivery Performance, Cevets Nigeria Limited for Excellence in Project Delivery, Ceezik Projekts for Outstanding Quality, Diadco Nigeria Limited for Outstanding Responsiveness, and Sephill Innovative Solutions Limited for Best Commercial Value.

On the significance of the forum, Head of Procurement and Administration, Oluseyi Ogunfowora, said the initiative reflects Pinnacle’s determination to build stronger partnerships through transparency, collaboration and shared accountability.

She explained that the procurement function coordinates the requirements of Engineering, Operations, Marine, Compliance, Legal, Finance, HSE and other business units to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent procurement process.

Ogunfowora urged vendors to submit complete and compliant documentation, communicate proactively and seek clarification whenever necessary.

“The success of our business depends on the strength of our partnerships,” she said. “When vendors clearly understand our expectations and we work together with transparency, compliance and open communication, we create a high-performing vendor ecosystem that benefits everyone.”

She added that the 2026 Vendors’ Forum forms part of Pinnacle’s broader strategy to strengthen supplier engagement, improve operational efficiency and reinforce a culture of compliance, safety, innovation and continuous improvement throughout its value chain.

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NCDMB, Zigma Equip 50 Certified Crane Operators with Global Standard Skills

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NCDMB Emerges Best MDA In Ease Of Doing Business Ranking

Poised to help in addressing the shortage of skilled technical manpower locally, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has graduated 50 Nigerians as certified crane operators under a specialised training programme, which empowers them with global standards in the trade.

The four-week Crane Operations Operator Level I and II Training Programme, implemented in partnership with Zigma Limited, equipped participants with internationally recognised technical knowledge, practical operating skills and safety competencies required for crane operations across the oil and gas, construction and industrial sectors.

During the graduation ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, represented by Halvin Okonmah, explained that the initiative forms part of the Board’s commitment to developing Nigerian professionals capable of meeting the industry’s growing technical manpower needs.

He said the programme aligns with the Board’s statutory mandate under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) to build human capital, expand opportunities for Nigerians in specialised technical roles and deepen local participation in the energy sector.

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According to him, the training will strengthen industry capacity while fostering innovation, partnerships and sustainable growth.

“This event will foster stronger partnerships, inspire fresh ideas and deepen the development of skilled local capacity for the benefit of our industry and our nation,” he said.

He urged the graduates to uphold the Board’s core values of patriotism, professionalism, integrity, creativity, passion and teamwork.

The Managing Director of Zigma Limited, Funmi Ogbue, represented by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Ojinika Mba-Kalu, described the graduation as a milestone in developing Nigeria’s technical workforce, stressing that the country’s industrial future depends on investments in skilled manpower.

She said participants received intensive classroom and practical training covering crane operating principles, lifting operations, equipment inspection, load handling techniques, signalling and communication, hazard identification, risk assessment, and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards. “This is a testament to what can be achieved when institutions, industry and individuals unite around a common purpose of building the capacity of Nigerians to compete, excel and lead within our nation’s oil and gas industry,” she said.

Ogbue added that Zigma would continue collaborating with government agencies and industry stakeholders to deliver more capacity-building programmes capable of producing globally competitive Nigerian professionals.

Presenting the project report, Zigma’s Project Manager, Amy Nwadiaro, disclosed that the programme attracted significant interest nationwide, with 355 applications received. Following a rigorous selection process, 65 applicants were shortlisted for screening, while 50 participants were eventually admitted into the training.

She said all 50 trainees successfully completed the programme, representing a 100 per cent completion rate.

“The response to this initiative was overwhelming. We received 355 applications, shortlisted 65 candidates for screening and admitted 50 participants, all of whom successfully completed the programme,” she said.

On behalf of the graduating trainees, Evidence Ojie described the programme as practical proof that Nigerian Content development extends beyond policy declarations to tangible investment in local talent.

He said the training provided participants with critical competencies in boom set-up, working range calculations, load chart interpretation and safety margins required for offshore and industrial crane operations.

According to him, the knowledge acquired would enable the graduates to compete effectively for technical roles on rigs, offshore platforms and industrial facilities both within Nigeria and internationally.

Industry stakeholders at the event also underscored the importance of certified crane operators in improving workplace safety, reducing operational accidents and enhancing efficiency in high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, construction and heavy industry.

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Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1

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Improved operating performances have seen Eterna Plc report higher revenue and profitability for the second quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2026.

The company’s unaudited consolidated financial results showed that revenue rose by 38 per cent to N217.31bn from N157.65bn in the corresponding period of 2025.

The results show that gross profit more than doubled to N15.99bn, while operating profit increased to N8.78bn from N2.34bn. Profit before tax rose by 389 per cent to N7.67bn from N1.57bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Profit after tax (PAT) increased to N5.88bn from N573.81m, while earnings per share (EPS) improved to N2.69 from N0.44.

The company also reported an improved financial position, with total assets standing at N82.75bn as of June 30, 2026.

Cash and bank balances increased to N20.36bn from N4.79bn as of December 31, 2025, while total liabilities declined to N51.22bn from N84.43bn. Total equity rose to N31.53bn from N7.77bn, reflecting stronger liquidity and capitalisation.

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On the results, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jude Nwaulune, said, “These results demonstrate the strength of our business and the impact of disciplined execution across our operations. The significant improvement in profitability and financial position provides a solid foundation to advance our growth priorities.

“The successful Rights Issue has further strengthened our balance sheet, resulting in a healthy leverage position, stronger equity and improved net assets. We remain focused on expanding our retail, aviation, lubricants and gas businesses, improving operational efficiency and customer experience, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.”

The company said its full unaudited consolidated financial statements for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, are available on its website.

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