E-Financial
Global Stocks Unmoved By Oil Price Revival- FXTM

Global stocks displayed weakness during trading on Tuesday with most major arenas descending deeper into the red territory despite the resurgence in oil prices that previously boosted global sentiment.
It is becoming increasingly clear that oil market rallies have lost their grip on global stocks with investors directing their attention towards the state of the global economy as a means of triggering risk appetite.
This was reflected in the European markets which were left depressed over the concerns of faltering growth in the Eurozone economy, while Wall Street followed the same negative pattern as diminishing rate hike expectations left investors anxious. Although Asian equity markets continue to display resilience amid the growing speculations that the Bank of Japan may intervene, most Asian stocks could be poised to decline when risk aversion reclaims center stage.
Sterling Under Pressure
The Sterling exhibited explosive levels of volatility across the board during trading on Tuesday following the combination of Brexit woes and tepid UK inflation data which reinforced the bearish sentiment towards the currency.
With the E.U referendum vote looming, financial heavyweights such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bank of England (BoE), and UK Treasury have firmly voiced their concerns over the impacts of a Brexit to the UK, which has consequently intensified Sterling volatility. With uncertainty mounting as the Brexit debate escalates and domestic data missing expectations, investor attraction continues to be haunted towards the Sterling with prices vulnerable to further losses.
Market participants may direct their attention towards Wednesday’s UK employment report and if this follows the same negative path as the CPI, then bears could be offered an opportunity to attack the Pound lower.
FOMC Minutes Preview
Investors may divert their attention towards the anticipated FOMC meeting minutes on Wednesday which could offer some clarity on interest rate rise timings in 2016.
While it is likely that the FOMC minutes could be a non-event, investors may be pressured to heavily peruse the statement for potential clues on the possibility of the Fed taking action in July.
Although in the recent weeks, data from the States has displayed signs of recovery, it seems clear that the unstable global economic landscape still acts as a barrier that could sabotage the Feds efforts to raising rates.
Sentiment remains somewhat bearish towards the Dollar and Dollar weakness could continue to be the theme in the global currency markets if May’s NFP fails to show signs of a recovery.
WTI Crude Springs To 6 Months High
WTI Crude lurched to fresh 6 month highs at $47 during trading on Tuesday as expectations grew over a potential drop in supply amid the obstruction in production from major oil exporting nations such as Nigeria, Canada, and Venezuela.
While bulls may be commended for exploiting this opportunity to sending oil prices higher, with overall global oil production still near record highs this commodity remains fundamentally bearish.
The oversupply woes may act as a barrier which prevents prices from trading higher while fading expectations over OPEC agreeing on a production freeze should encourage bears to attack.
Although prices are currently pressing forcefully against $47, any signs of weakness could provide an opportunity for bears to send the commodity back towards $44. If the crude oil inventories report on Wednesday’s signals a rise in stockpiles then bears could utilize this catalyst to send prices lower.
Gold Bulls Challenge $1285
Gold prices rebounded from the daily 20 SMA during trading on Tuesday as the growing concerns over the health of the global economy provided a foundation for bullish investors to send the price higher.
This yellow metal continues to fight against the resurgence in Dollar strength and could be poised to break above $1285 if the FOMC meeting minutes have a dovish touch. Expectations have already diminished over the Fed taking action in Q2 and when Dollar weakness reclaims center stage, bulls could be offered an opportunity to install another heavy round of buying. From a technical standpoint, prices are trading above the daily 20 SMA while the MACD trades to the upside. If the daily 20 SMA defends, then Gold could rise towards $1285 and potentially higher.
Opinion by Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst at FXTM
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.
Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.
Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.
In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.
Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.
E-Financial
Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

House of Rep
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.
He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.
The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.
“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.
He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.
The investigation continues next week.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.
SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.
The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.
SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.
CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).
Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.
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