Business
Germany, Britain shine but Europe’s recovery still fragile
LONDON – The euro zone’s economic recovery lost a little momentum last month, according to surveys that showed only modest growth in German and French businesses.
Data from non-euro zone Britain impressed again, however, and German industrial orders jumped underlining the uneven nature of overall European recovery.
Wednesday’s purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs) from Markit showed the pace of growth in euro zone businesses slipped last month, although not nearly as badly as first projections.
Taken as a whole, the indexes pointed to fragile economic growth that will do little to ease the pressure on the European Central Bank to take some action, although not perhaps at its policy meeting on Thursday.
With surprisingly low inflation last month, speculation in markets and among economists has grown that the ECB is primed to stimulate the economy again – perhaps next month.
“Our view is that rates will remain on hold tomorrow although we expect that ECB President (Mario) Draghi will ‘disclose’ that a rate cut was considered,” said analysts at Rabobank, after the PMIs.
Financial markets also question what effect a straightforward interest rate cut would have given that rates are already at record lows.
Overall, the tone of the data on Wednesday were mixed. German industrial orders rose at a far faster pace than expected in September, but euro zone retails sales slipped more than predicted during the same month.
By contrast, British indicators added to evidence the UK is spearheading Europe’s recovery from recession.
UK industrial output in September came in much better than the Reuters consensus, following on from Tuesday’s upbeat business surveys.
The Bank of England meets on Wednesday and Thursday and is not expected to change policy, having said it will keep interest rates at their record low until unemployment falls to 7 percent.
Economists expect the Bank to bring forward its expectation for when that will happen – currently late 2016 – when it publishes new forecasts next week.
The euro tip-toed away from a seven-week low on Wednesday after the data, as talk of extending the lifespan of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stimulus helped balance expectations of easing by the ECB in coming months. <MKTS/GLOB>
BETTER THAN HOPED, BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH
Markit’s October Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of activity in both the services and manufacturing sectors slipped to 51.9 in October from 52.2 in September. That marked an improvement on an initial estimate two weeks ago of 51.5, however.
The PMI for the services sector, covering thousands of firms across the euro zone from major banks to hairdressers, slipped to 51.6 from September’s 52.2. Again, that was higher than the preliminary reading of 50.9.
Readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity.
While the modest pace of growth in activity at German and French companies was unchanged last month, it dwindled at Italian services firms and activity declined again in Spain.
“The loss of momentum raises concerns that the upturn is faltering and piles further pressure on the European Central Bank to reinvigorate the recovery,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at PMI compiler Markit.
The ECB is likely to resist pressure for an interest rate cut on Thursday despite a dive in inflation to 0.7 percent in October, close to a four-year low and far below its target of close to 2 percent.
Companies continued to trim prices charged to customers at a steady pace last month, the PMI showed, suggesting little chance inflation will edge higher.
The surveys brought more bad news on the labor front as companies cut jobs at a faster pace in October.
Data last week showed euro zone unemployment hit a record 12.2 percent in September.
Ireland’s services PMI was one of the few unambiguously positive surveys from Wednesday’s euro zone batch, Markit said, showing the strongest growth since 2006.
– REUTERS
Business
Again, Aradel Shifts Results Release Forward
After failing to meet its previously announced May 29, 2026 target, Aradel Holdings Plc has extended the filing and publication deadline for its 2025 audited financial statements and first-quarter 2026 unaudited financial statements.
This was detailed in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), shareholders and the investing public, which had it that both reports will now be released on or before June 19, 2026.
The company blamed challenges arising from the consolidation of its recently acquired additional 40 per cent equity interest in ND Western Limited.
Aradel had earlier informed the market on March 2, 2026, that the delay in filing its financial statements was linked to the acquisition and had subsequently indicated that the reports would be released on or before May 29, 2026.
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Explaining the latest postponement, the company said unforeseen complexities emerged during the consolidation process following the integration of the newly acquired stake into the Group’s reporting framework.
According to the notice, “The delay is due to unforeseen complexities encountered in the consolidation process arising from the integration of the newly acquired interest in ND Western Limited into the Group’s reporting framework. Additional time is required to ensure that the consolidated results fairly present the financial position of the enlarged Group in line with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.”
“The Company is working closely with its external auditors to complete the process without compromising the quality, accuracy or integrity of the financial statements. Both the FY 2025 Audited Financial Statements and the Q1 2026 Unaudited Interim Financial Statements will now be released on or before 19 June 2026,” Aradel said.
The extension means the company’s closed period, which commenced on January 1, 2026, will remain in effect until 24 hours after the financial statements are released to the market. During the closed period, insiders and other restricted persons are prohibited from trading in the company’s shares.
The company noted that trading in its securities by affected persons would resume after the expiration of the extended closed period. Aradel further reiterated its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency in its financial reporting.
Business
Savannah Energy Posts Strong Four-Month Performance
Ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for June 1, 2026, Savannah Energy, has provided a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa for the four months to April 30, 2026, reflecting continued operational progress and a strong focus on cash discipline.
It reports that following the completion of the SIPEC Acquisition in March 2025, the production expansion programme underway at its Stubb Creek has delivered an 8% increase in average gross daily production to 3.1 Kbopd for the period, compared to 2.8 Kbopd during the same period in 2025.
Its group average gross daily production for the four-month period stood at 15.7 Kboepd (FY 2025: 18.8 Kboepd) with gas production volumes constrained as a result of the ongoing drilling and operational activity, and customer gas demand.
The update shows that its Revenues increased by 17% year-on-year to US$104.1 million, compared to US$89.1 million in the same period last year. It also shows that its trade receivables balance declined by 22% to US$395.2 million from US$507.2 million at year-end 2025.
It also reported cash balances of US$64.7 million during the four-month period, compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$42.8 million, with its net debt standing at US$641.7 million compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$658.6 million.
According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections for the four months ended April 30 amounted to US$183.5 million, a 48% increase from the US$89.1 million it received during the same period in 2025.
Savannah also reported that it has entered into a new £32 million unsecured loan facility with NIPCO plc, its largest shareholder. The facility is structured in two tranches: £20 million available immediately and £12 million available from July 1. The loan carries a 4.5% annual interest rate and has a 36-month term.
The facility includes a conversion option that allows Savannah to repay the loan through the issuance of new shares at 8 pence per share. NIPCO cannot require conversion, and Savannah is under no obligation to issue shares. The transaction constitutes a related party transaction under AIM rules.
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The report highlighted the operational progress being made across key African assets, including Uquo and Stubb Creek, as well as continued advancement of its wind, solar and hydropower projects. It reports that drilling and completion activities at the Uquo NE well location have now been concluded, with rig-down operations currently underway ahead of mobilisation to the next well.
It also reports that the flowline installation is in its final stages, with tie-in activities ongoing at the Uquo CPF, while tie-in works at the well pad are expected to commence shortly, with first gas targeted for early July 2026, supporting the higher forecast gas production expected in H2 2026. Site construction activities at the Uquo South exploration well location, it said, are progressing well, with the site expected to be ready by early June 2026, just as conductor piling operations are also ongoing in preparation for the rig move from the Uquo NE location.
In Niger, Savannah reports that its Parc Eolien de la Tarka project has made significant progress to date, with the Minister of Energy confirming that the project is on the Government’s list of priority projects. It expects the timing and sequencing of further development activities in relation to the project to be linked to the timing and outcome of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the Government of Niger regarding the R1234 PSC and the potential recommencement of oil activities.
In Cameroon, negotiations with the Government are at an advanced stage regarding a Joint Development Agreement for the up to 95 MW Bini, a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project. This is expected to replace the Memorandum of Agreement signed in April 2023 and secure the terms under which Savannah will collaborate with the Government of Cameroon to further develop the project.
Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Energy, said: “Savannah continues to deliver against the nine core focus areas we set out for the business at the start of 2025. In Nigeria, we have seen a significant improvement in cash collections, with a 48% year-on-year increase in the first four months of the year, alongside a 17% year-on-year increase in Revenues and a 22% reduction in our trade receivables balance since year-end 2025. This reflects our ongoing focus on disciplined cash collections and receivables management, which remains a key priority for the business this year.
“Operationally, we are advancing a number of important projects, including the drilling of two new gas wells at the Uquo field, and the production expansion programme at Stubb Creek which has already delivered an 8% increase in average daily production (compared to the first four months of 2025). In our power division, we continue to progress our greenfield wind, solar and hydro portfolio.
“Alongside this, we continue to pursue further value-accretive acquisitions across both hydrocarbons and power, with several opportunities under active discussion. We are also pleased to have secured a new £32 million loan facility from NIPCO plc (“NIPCO”), our largest shareholder, strengthening our financial flexibility and further underpinning our confidence in delivering continued operational, financial and strategic progress through 2026 and 2027.”
Business
Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol, Diesel Prices Again
In a move reinforcing its commitment to making refined petroleum products more affordable and supporting economic activities across Nigeria, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced a fresh reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Under the latest price adjustment, the refinery reduced the ex-depot price of PMS, commonly known as petrol, to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, while the price of AGO (diesel) was cut to N1,700 per litre from N1,800 per litre.
The price review comes amid the refinery’s continued efforts to improve supply efficiency, deepen domestic refining, and provide cost relief to consumers and businesses that depend heavily on petroleum products for transportation, power generation and industrial operations.
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Since commencing operations, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery has increasingly supplied the domestic market with refined products aimed at eliminating the country’s dependence on imported fuels.





