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Market Mood Brightens on China Tariff Delay

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By Lukman Otunuga, Senior Research Analyst, FXTM

A ‘risk-on’ vibe is sweeping across financial markets after the US Trade administration (USTR) announced that it will remove some items from its target list and delay the 10% tariffs on certain Chinese goods until December.

This unexpected development is stimulating risk appetite while reviving hopes that the two largest economies in the world will eventually find some middle ground on trade. Asian stocks rallied on Wednesday thanks to the improving market mood and this positivity should support European shares.

While this burst of positivity and renewed optimism over China and the United States resuming trade talks in two weeks is good news for global sentiment, investors should remain cautious. It is worth keeping in mind that the US is still moving forward with 10% tariffs on much of the $300 billion in Chinese imports first disclosed in May. Global equity bears can still make an unwelcome return if tensions arise before the scheduled talks in two weeks, especially if geopolitical risks and global growth concerns dent investor confidence.

Chinese Yuan roars back to life

A return of risk appetite sent the offshore Yuan marching to a fresh one-week high against the Dollar on Tuesday.

The USDCNH tumbled below the 7.00 level as easing trade tensions boosted investor appetite for the Chinese Yuan. However, appetite towards the currency was later dampened on Wednesday by disappointing retail sales figures and industrial output figures, which fell to its slowest rate in 17 years in July. Nevertheless, the offshore Yuan still has potential to extend gains against the Dollar as easing tensions sweeten appetite for emerging market currencies. The USDCNH has scope to test 7.00 should 7.05 prove to be reliable resistance.

Oil rides higher on easing trade tensions

Oil bulls wasted no time in shifting to a higher gear on Tuesday following the Trump administration’s unexpected pull-back from a hardline stance on Chinese trade.

Oil prices have scope to push higher as easing trade tensions reduce fears over slowing global growth and faltering demand for Crude. The improving market mood should also support WTI Crude with prices trading around $56.35 as of writing.  The daily close above $56.50 should encourage a move higher towards $57.43.

Commodity spotlight – Gold

Gold lost some of its allure on Tuesday, depreciating almost $50 from a 6-year high at $1535 after the United States surprised markets by delaying tariffs on some Chinese goods.

While Gold is seen extending losses in the near term amid the risk-on mood, the precious metal remains shielded by various core market themes. For as long as geopolitical tensions, Brexit uncertainty, global growth concerns and central banks easing monetary policy remain key themes, Gold bulls are in control.

Technical traders will continue to monitor how prices behave above the $1485 level. A breakdown below this point may open a path back towards $1470.

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E-Financial

Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases ‘My Year on Kuda’ 2025 Financial Recap

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Kuda Microfinance Bank has unveiled the 2025 edition of “My Year on Kuda,” its annual recap providing customers with personalised insights into their spending, saving, and money management habits from the previous year.

Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases 'My Year on Kuda' 2025 Financial Recap

Kuda Microfinance Bank

The tool analyses transaction data across categories like transfers, card payments, online purchases, and bills, revealing patterns such as highest-spending months, biggest payments, saving frequency, and savings from Kuda’s 25 free monthly transfers. Customers can compare 2025 activity against 2024, including income versus expenditure.

In an era of inflation and economic uncertainty, the recap promotes financial literacy by highlighting responsible borrowing via Kuda Overdraft usage, including access frequency, amounts borrowed, and repayment patterns.

Customer-shared screenshots on X reflect national trends: Nigeria recorded over 2.2 billion electronic transactions worth ₦285 trillion in Q1 2025, up 20 percent year-on-year, with POS terminals driving the shift to cashless commerce.

Kuda Group CEO Babs Ogundeyi, in the recap’s opening video, urged users: “Before you carry on with January, this is the perfect time to see everything you did with your money on Kuda last year and learn something.”

The feature underscores Kuda’s focus on actionable insights to help Nigerians navigate evolving personal finance amid shifting earning and spending behaviours.


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Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

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Wema Bank has introduced SAW, a new AI voice assistant integrated into the ALAT 2.0 app, allowing customers to manage finances through natural voice commands similar to Siri, Bixby, or Alexa.

Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

Wema Bank

SAW understands everyday language and delivers instant responses tailored to banking needs, such as checking account balances, transferring money, reviewing transactions, and accessing support.

This feature brings conversational banking to Nigerian users, eliminating complexity and enhancing accessibility.

The bank positions SAW as a pioneer in AI-powered financial services, aligning with global trends where millions interact daily with voice assistants for tasks like setting reminders or playing music.

ALAT 2.0 represents the next evolution in digital banking, making services more efficient, personal, and human-like for everyday Nigerians.


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Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

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Ecobank Nigeria Limited has fully repaid bondholders who validly tendered their notes ahead of the February 2026 maturity date.

Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

The bank announced the successful completion of its tender offer, under which it prepaid approximately $245 million of its $300 million Eurobond, representing more than 80 per cent of the total issuance.

According to a statement, the transaction relates to the 7.125 per cent Senior Note Participation Notes due February 2026.

Ecobank Nigeria Limited said it launched a tender offer to eligible noteholders in respect of the outstanding $150 million on the bond on November 27, 2025, providing them with an opportunity to redeem their holdings ahead of the original maturity date of 16 February 2026.

It stated that the early and late tender participation deadlines were 11 December 2025 and 29 December 2025, respectively.

According to the bank, holders of notes validly tendered and accepted received a cash consideration of $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount, in addition to accrued interest from the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the final settlement date of 31 December 2025.

Following completion of the offer, the bank said the outstanding principal amount of the notes has been reduced to approximately $55.092 million.

The bank also stated that the initiative reflects Ecobank Nigeria’s proactive approach to liability management and prudent balance sheet optimisation.

The tender offer was conducted with Renaissance Capital Africa (Renaissance Securities Nigeria Limited) acting as financial adviser and dealer manager, while Sodali & Co Limited served as tender agent.

The notes were originally issued by EBN Finance Company B.V., with limited recourse to the issuer, for the sole purpose of financing the purchase of the $300 million 7.125 per cent Senior Note due 2026 issued by Ecobank Nigeria Limited.


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