Business
U.S. Stocks Open Higher
NEW YORK – The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 10 points, or 0.1%, to 15383 shortly after the opening bell. On Monday, the Dow tumbled 326 points, or 2.1%, the biggest one-day selloff in more than seven months on growing concerns over a weakening U.S. economyThe S&P 500 index added six points, or 0.3%, to 1748, with health-care and telecommunications shares leading eight of 10 sector groups higher. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 17 points, or 0.4%, to 4014.
Emerging-market currencies rose against the dollar on Tuesday, recovering modestly from their sharp selloff of the past two weeks. The South African rand and Turkish lira, two of the hardest-hit currencies in recent weeks, led the rebound.
Despite some stabilization in emerging-market currencies and stocks, some investors view the strength as a temporary reprieve, with the global selling of stocks likely to resume in the near term.
“Suffice to say investors should steer clear of risk assets over the short term as the turmoil does not look like it will be over anytime soon,” said Mitul Kotecha, an analyst at Crédit Agricole. ACA.FR +2.33%
Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffrey Lacker did little to calm investors by saying early Tuesday the Fed will likely continue reducing its bond purchases in the coming months because there has been “substantial improvement” in labor market indicators since the program started in late 2012. He doesn’t have a vote this year on the policy-making open-market committee but said on Tuesday that he expects “to see further reductions in the pace of purchases at upcoming meetings.”
Robert Pavlik, chief market strategist at Banyan Partners, said there could be an “intracorrection bounce” after all the recent selling, but “I wouldn’t let that fool me,” as he believes there is “some more downside left” for stocks.
In emerging economies, the Indian rupee and Hungarian forint joined the the Turkish lira and South African rand in rising against the dollar. And the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets exchange traded fund rose.
Investments seen as havens, such as Treasurys and gold, eased slightly as stock bounced. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note inched up to 2.621% from a near three-month low of 2.585% late Monday. Treasury yields rise as prices fall. Gold futures declined 0.7% to $1,251.70 an ounce, after running up 1.6% on Monday.
Meanwhile, crude-oil futures added 1.2% to $97.54 a barrel, and the dollar gained some ground against the euro and the yen.
The economic calendar is light. Factory orders for December, due out at 10 a.m. EST, are expected to show growth of 1.8% on the month. Investors remain focused on jobs data out later this week, as well as the European Central Bank’s policy statement on Thursday.
In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 lost 0.1%, after closing at 1½-month low on Monday. The index pared some losses after the producer-price index for the euro zone rose in December for the first time in three months, slightly easing deflation fears.
The DAX 30 index shed 0.5% and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 lost 0.2%, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.3%.
Japanese stocks tumbled overnight to follow steep declines in the U.S. Monday. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average dropped 4.2%, rattled by disappointing data out of the U.S., after sliding 2% on Monday. That left the Nikkei down 14% on the year, the worst performance among major global markets. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slumped 2.9%.
In corporate news, Microsoft MSFT +0.75% rose after the software company named company veteran Satya Nadella as its next chief executive.
Yum Brands YUM +9.13% rallied after the parent company of KFC and Taco Bell reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings that exceeded expectations and affirmed previous 2014 projections.
Michael Kors KORS +20.56% soared after the company reported fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue that blew past estimates, boosted by strong same-store sales growth in Europe and the U.S.
Take-Two Interactive Software TTWO -12.33% slid after the maker of the Grand Theft Auto game franchise provided a downbeat outlook for the current quarter, although fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue exceeded estimates.
ATMI ATMI +25.36% surged after the company agreed to be acquired by fellow semiconductor services company Entegris for about $850 million. Entegris also gained.
– WALLSTREET JOURNAL
Business
Shell Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Energy Journey
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.”
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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.
Business
Naira Gains Strength, Appreciates to N1,408/$ in Parallel Market
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.
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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.
Business
Pinnacle Convenes 2026 Vendors’ Forum
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.
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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.





