Connect with us

Business

Tokyo Shares Rebound as Yen Retreats

Published

on

TOKYO – Stocks in Tokyo moved higher after the yen retreated against the U.S. dollar, while shares in Hong Kong lost ground.

Stocks in Tokyo closed higher Thursday as the yen retreated against the dollar, while shares in Hong Kong were hit by a sell-off of Chinese technology stocks.

The Nikkei Stock Average rose 1% to 14,622.89 after the Japanese currency turned lower midday, trading around ¥102.20 to the dollar late in the Tokyo, compared with 101.99 late Wednesday in New York.

Toyota Motor’s plan to buy back up to 60 million of its own shares also added to the positive tone. Toyota shares rose 2%.“The key to watch going forward is if Toyota engages in such buybacks more often, which very likely would compel its competitors to do the same,” said Hiroyuki Fukunaga, chief executive officer of asset manager Investrust.

The yen’s downturn helped Tokyo’s stock market shake off an early slump as many blue-chip shares began trading “ex-dividend,” meaning investors who buy the stock no longer have the right to their upcoming dividend payout.

Sony Corp. closed 1.2% higher after falling as much as 2.9%.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.2%. Its second-largest constituent, gaming and e-commerce company Tencent Holdings, suffered a sharp sell-off after shares in U.S. game maker King Digital Entertainment sank in their trading debut. Tencent, whose shares fell 5.9% Thursday, also announced it would take a 28% stake in South Korean games company CJ Games.

“Despite elevated valuations, many investors have been chasing ‘concept’ stocks,” said Tony Hsu, a Shanghai-based portfolio manager for hedge fund Dalton Investments.Mr. Hsu said he has steered clear of volatile sectors with stretched valuations—such as China’s gaming sector—preferring to invest in “cheap” stocks that have “a large margin of safety.”

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5% to 5350.10 while stocks on Korea’s Kospi gained 0.7%.

The Australian dollar continued to strengthen following upbeat comments from Australian central bank Governor Glenn Stevens late Wednesday that launched the currency above the US$0.92 level for the first time since late November. The currency traded around US$0.9246 Thursday versus US$0.9232 late Wednesday in New York.

“There is encouraging early evidence that the so-called handover from mining-led demand growth to broader private-demand growth is beginning,” Mr. Stevens said at an investment conference in Hong Kong.

“Putting all this together, we think economic growth will continue and may strengthen a little later this year and pick up further during 2015,” he added.

Click to comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Business

Shell Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Energy Journey

Published

on

Shell reiterates commitment to lower CO2 emissions in Nigeria

Shell will continue to support Nigeria in its efforts to build a secure energy future through investments and efficient delivery of its businesses in Nigeria.

“We continue to invest in Nigeria’s future through our projects, our people, and our enduring confidence in the potential of this nation,” General Manager, Development and Subsurface Shell Nigeria Deepwater, Kun Jiang said today while delivering the sponsor’s remarks at the 49th edition of the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos.

Kun highlighted current investments in Bonga North, HI and the advancement of Bonga Southwest as testimonies of Shell’s confidence in Nigeria’s deepwater future. The confidence was further reiterated with the recent launch of a US$3 billion contract financing programme by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), which will help Nigerian contractors build capability, create value, and accelerate project delivery.

Shell is a major sponsor of the conference as part of a longstanding support for a professional body which has contributed to the development of the oil and gas industry. Discussing the theme of the conference; “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” Kun said Nigeria had a lot of opportunities despite geopolitical tensions that threaten global supply chains and market volatility and shifting energy dynamics.

“With a population exceeding 240 million people, abundant natural resources, world-class talent, and growing domestic energy needs, Nigeria has all the ingredients to become one of the world’s most attractive energy investment destination,” she pointed out. “But potential alone does not create prosperity. Potential must be converted into progress. Resources must be transformed into value. Opportunity must be matched by action.”

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

Nigeria must continue to attract capital, strengthen the business environment, embrace technology to unlock potentials if it will thrive in the global evolving energy landscape. She added: “The future will belong to countries and industries that combine resilience with innovation, ambition with collaboration and investment with execution excellence. Nigeria has the resources. Nigeria has the talent. Nigeria has the opportunity. What is required now is the collective determination to seize it.”

Shell is mounting an exhibition at the SPE conference with SNEPCo’s Senior Production Geologist Abidemi Belgore taking industry leaders and regulators round the stand.

Key areas of interest include technological breakthroughs that have enhanced output at Bonga and facilitated the execution of the Bonga North project. Also highlighted on the stand is the full range of Shell businesses in Nigeria from deepwater oil production and integrated gas to renewables and power solutions as well as social investments across the country.

Continue Reading

Business

Naira Gains Strength, Appreciates to N1,408/$ in Parallel Market

Published

on

Naira To Dollar Exchanges At N464.67

The Nigerian naira recorded further gains against the United States dollar on Monday, appreciating to N1,408 per dollar in the parallel market, compared to N1,415/$ recorded at the close of trading last weekend.

The local currency also strengthened in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), where it appreciated to N1,365 per dollar, up from N1,368/$ at the end of last week.

According to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the indicative exchange rate improved by N3, reflecting sustained appreciation of the naira in the official market.

ALSO READ: Unstable Naira Makes ₦1m Salary Worthless — NLC

The latest gains also narrowed the gap between the parallel and official exchange rates to N43 per dollar, down from N47 per dollar recorded on Friday, indicating a gradual convergence between both markets.

Meanwhile, activity in the official foreign exchange market increased significantly, with interbank turnover surging by 132.3 per cent to N137.05 million, compared to N58.99 million recorded last weekend.

The improved performance of the naira across both markets comes amid continued efforts by monetary authorities to stabilise the foreign exchange market and enhance liquidity.

Continue Reading

Business

Pinnacle Convenes 2026 Vendors’ Forum

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x