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U.S. stocks stall

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WASHINGTON – U.S. stocks erased an opening rally to trade little changed, as investors started the first full week of the year in a cautious mood.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost three points, or less than 0.1%, to 16467 in recent trade. On Friday, the Dow rose 29 points, or 0.2%, but closed down on the week.

The S&P 500 index edged up one point, or less than 0.1%, to 1832 and the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped nine points, or 0.2%, to 4123.

The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% on Friday, while suffering back-to-back losses to start a new year for the first time since 2005.

“It wasn’t a surprise that investors hold off and take some profit after a great year in 2013,” said Sam Stovall, chief equity strategist at S&P Capital IQ. For Monday, “it’s the first day you have the global investment community back, and focusing on equities,” he said, and investors should see that nothing has changed since the market ended the year on a high note. He added that history suggests “good years often follow great years.”Karyn Cavanaugh, market strategist at ING U.S. Investment Management, which manages about $200 billion, said the Federal Reserve is handing the reins back to the market, but that’s a good thing for stocks.

NYSE“When the market is in control, there is going to be some volatility,” Ms. Cavanaugh said. But the global economy is moving forward, and earnings are looking good, “and that’s really what your guide post is,” she said.

Ms. Cavanaugh added that investors should not let what happened in 2013 influence their outlook for 2014. “The market doesn’t go down just because it’s tired, or because it went up a lot,” she said. “Earnings are looking better, and that’s the North Star” for investors.

The Institute for Supply Management’s nonmanufacturing purchasing managers index for December is expected to show a rise to 54.5 from 53.9 in November, and factory orders for November are seen rising 1.5% on the month.

Meanwhile, investors will be looking ahead to a reading on private-sector jobs growth and the minutes to the Federal Reserve’s December policy meeting on Wednesday, and the government’s monthly employment report on Friday.Separately, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the confirmation of Federal Reserve Vice Chairwoman Janet Yellen to succeed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Alcoa unofficially kicks off earnings season later this week. The former Dow component will report fourth-quarter results after Thursday’s close.

S&P Capital IQ’s Mr. Stovall said expectations for earnings growth is about the same as at the end of the third quarter. “It’s nice to know that the starting number, that is usually improved upon, is equal to the third quarter,” he said. “If history holds true, reality will end up being better than expectations.”

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note eased slightly to 2.980% after settling at 2.997% late Friday.

February crude-oil futures gained 0.2% to $94.14 a barrel, after settling at a one-month low on Friday. January gold futures advanced 0.2% to $1,240.50 an ounce.

The dollar lost ground against the yen and the euro, while the Turkish lira continued to come under heavy pressure against the dollar, as a probe into corruption moved closer to the heart of the country’s ruling party.European markets edged higher after data showing the euro zone’s services sector expanded in line with expectations. The Stoxx Europe 600 inched up 0.1%, erasing an earlier loss of as much as 0.3%.

The euro-zone services purchasing managers index for December came in at 51, down slightly from 51.2 in November, but matching forecasts, as strength in Spain helped offset some slowing in France. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

In Asia, Tokyo led the region lower as strength in the yen, which had bounced back against the dollar over the three-day new year holiday in Japan, weighed on the country’s exporters. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average slumped 2.3%. China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 1.8% to a five-month low.

In corporate news, Sirius XM Holdings gained after Liberty Media announced plans late Friday to make the satellite-radio provider a wholly owned subsidiary. Liberty now owns about 52% of Sirius. Liberty Media’s Class A shares fell.

Men’s Wearhouse raised its offer to buy fellow men’s apparel retailer Jos. A Bank Clothiers to about $1.6 billion, after Jos. A Bank rejected the previous offer of roughly $1.5 billion. Jos. A Bank and Men’s Wearhouse both gained.

– WALLSTREET JOURNAL

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AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board

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NGX Rallies Corporates On Sustainability Reporting

AVA Capital Plc has been admitted to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) following the listing by introduction of its 5 billion ordinary shares at ₦7.50 per share, with a market capitalisation of ₦37.5 billion.

The listing marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth, strong corporate governance and long-term value creation, while enhancing its visibility within Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking at the listing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of AVA Capital Plc, Kayode Fadahunsi, described the admission as a defining moment in the Company’s evolution. “Our admission to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange is more than a listing; it is a public affirmation of the business we have built and the future we are committed to creating. We have established a resilient institution with a clear growth strategy, strong governance culture and an unwavering focus on creating sustainable value for our shareholders. Becoming a listed company deepens our accountability, broadens our visibility and positions us to seize new opportunities as we continue our growth journey.”

ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT

Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, said the admission reflects the continued confidence of businesses in Nigeria’s capital market as a platform for sustainable growth. “Today’s listing reflects the confidence that forward-looking companies continue to place in the Nigerian capital market. By joining the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange, AVA Capital Plc is embracing the transparency, governance standards and market discipline that define public companies, while positioning itself to access a broader investor base and unlock long-term value. We are delighted to welcome AVA Capital Plc to the NGX family and look forward to supporting its continued growth.”

The admission of AVA Capital Plc expands the range of investment opportunities available to investors while reinforcing NGX’s commitment to connecting businesses with long-term capital and supporting their growth through enhanced visibility, strong governance and deeper investor engagement.

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NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT

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June 2026 results of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) shows a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N535 billion, despite recording a marginal decline in crude oil and condensate production during the month.

The figure represents a 15.8 percent increase over the preceding month, according to the latest Monthly Financial and Operations Report of the state oil major, which indicates that the PAT rose by N73bn from the N462bn recorded in May, while revenue increased to N4.389tn.

According to the report, the company remitted cumulative statutory payments of N6.286tn to the Federation in H1, 2026.

It read, “NNPC Limited recorded N535bn profit after tax for the month of June, representing a 15.8 per cent increase from the N462bn recorded in May. Total revenue for the month stood at N4.389tn, while cumulative statutory payments to the Federation for the period January to June 2026 increased to N6.286tn, underscoring NNPC Limited’s sustained contribution to national revenue generation.”

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Average crude oil and condensate production declined marginally to 1.72 million barrels per day in June from 1.73 million barrels per day in May, representing a 0.58 percent decrease. However, output was 1.18 percent higher than the 1.70 million barrels per day recorded in June 2025.

According to the report, production was affected by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues and subsurface challenges across several assets.

It stated, “June production performance was impacted by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues, and subsurface challenges across several assets. However, performance was partially mitigated by production ramp-up following the completion of the Assa-Rumuekpe and 28-inch TNP Turnaround Maintenance.”

Despite the slight production decline, crude oil and condensate sales surged to 28.23 million barrels in June from 18.95 million barrels in May, representing a 48.97 percent month-on-month increase. The June sales volume was also 6.77 percent higher than the 26.44 million barrels sold in June 2025.

Gas production also improved, rising to 7,841 million standard cubic feet per day from 7,774 million standard cubic feet per day in May, while gas sales recovered to 4,970 million standard cubic feet per day from 4,921 million standard cubic feet per day.

The report highlighted progress on two major gas infrastructure projects. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline reached 98 percent completion, with final tie-in works ongoing.

It stated, “The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline progressed to 98% completion, with final tie-in works ongoing towards achieving First Gas in August 2026.”

Construction on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline also advanced to 94 percent completion. According to the company, “Construction and installation activities on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline advanced to 94 per cent completion, supporting the target of early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.”

The NNPC Ltd declared that it would continue implementing measures to sustain production growth despite operational challenges.

It stated, “Focus remains on delivering incremental production across the asset portfolio by improving facility reliability and availability, minimizing Unscheduled Downtime, optimising crude export operations, and accelerating the maturation of production opportunities to sustain Upstream production growth.”

The report also showed that upstream pipeline availability remained at 100 percent during the month, while petrol availability across the NNPC Retail Limited stations stood at 53 percent. It added that all production, sales and financial figures remained provisional and were subject to reconciliation with relevant stakeholders.

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Imported Petrol Now Costs More than Dangote Fuel – Report

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The landed cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) has climbed above the gantry price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reinforcing calls by petroleum marketers for Nigeria to halt fuel importation and prioritise local refining.

The latest Energy Bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria showed that the spot landed cost of imported petrol stood at N1,223.32 per litre as of July 29.

The price is higher than the Dangote refinery’s gantry price of N1,215 per litre, indicating that imported petrol currently costs marketers more than supplies sourced from the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lekki-based refinery.

The MEMAN bulletin also showed that Brent crude averaged $90 per barrel during the review period.

The development comes days after the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria renewed its call for an end to petrol importation, arguing that local refining capacity is sufficient to meet the country’s fuel demand.

IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, recently told The PUNCH that there was no justification for continued petrol imports when local refineries, particularly the Dangote refinery, were producing enough to supply the domestic market.

ALSO READ: Shell Bids Farewell to EVP Nigeria and Country Chair Marno, as Elohor Assumes Role

He argued that importing petrol when locally refined products were available only exerted additional pressure on foreign exchange and undermined investments in domestic refining.

The latest pricing data appears to support the marketers’ position, with the landed cost of imported petrol now exceeding the Dangote refinery’s gantry price.

According to the MEMAN bulletin, Dangote’s coastal price for PMS stood at N1,195 per litre, while its gantry price was N1,215 per litre, inclusive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority charges.

The report also showed that the naira averaged N1,367.03/$ during the review period, while international crude oil prices remained elevated, contributing to higher import costs.

The rise in global crude prices also pushed up the cost of refined petroleum products internationally. The price of diesel traded on the Intercontinental Exchange in Europe averaged $1,246.54 per metric tonne during the review period.

The bulletin further revealed that the spot landed cost of diesel rose to N1,739.96 per litre, compared with a 30-day average of N1,427.00 per litre, while aviation fuel climbed to N1,616.43 per litre against a 30-day average of N1,421.10 per litre.

The pricing trend suggests that locally refined petrol currently offers marketers a cheaper alternative than imports.

Earlier, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria urged the Federal Government to halt the importation of petrol, arguing that imported petrol has become more expensive than locally refined products and is frustrating efforts to stabilise prices in the downstream sector.

The association said the continued issuance of fuel import licences was worsening price volatility, putting additional pressure on the naira and undermining the competitiveness of domestic refineries, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the recent import licences issued by the NMDPRA had failed to achieve their intended objective of moderating domestic fuel prices.

According to him, petrol imported under the new licences is being sold at rates significantly higher than the price of products supplied by the Dangote refinery.

Meanwhile, data from Petroleumprice.ng also showed that some depot owners continued to adjust their ex-depot petrol prices on Thursday amid changing market conditions. AIPEC sold at N1,216 per litre.

Ardova reduced its ex-depot price by N1 to N1,217 per litre, while Ascon and T-Time each cut their prices by N2 to N1,216 per litre. Emadeb, however, increased its price by N1 to N1,218 per litre, while NIPCO retained its price at N1,217 per litre.

Outside Lagos, Aradel raised its ex-depot price by N5 to N1,240 per litre in Port Harcourt. Matrix and Sigmund reduced their prices by N10 each to N1,225 and N1,224 per litre, respectively, while T.S.L. cut its price by N15 to N1,225 per litre.

In Calabar, Hong Petroleum, Mainland and Sobaz each reduced their depot prices by N5 to N1,220 per litre. In Warri, A.Y.M. Shafa increased its price by N3 to N1,233 per litre, while Optima raised its price by N2 to N1,232 per litre. Matrix reduced its price by N3 to N1,230 per litre, while Rainoil cut its price by N2 to N1,240 per litre.

The PUNCH reports that the pump prices of petrol currently hover around N1,250 to N1,300 per litre in Lagos and Ogun states, while they are higher in the North and other distant locations.

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