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FXTM Analysis: Blockbuster UK Retail Sales Uplifts Sterling

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Sterling staged a vicious rebound against the Dollar during trading on Thursday following October’s extraordinary 1.9% rise in retail sales which questioned if the ongoing Brexit woes had any negative impact on British consumption.

Sales for October surged by 7.4% from a year earlier, jumping the most since 2002 as cooler weather increased spending on fashion lines while supermarkets benefited from Halloween.

Although October’s retail sales  has added to the basket of attributes which continue to ease some Brexit concerns, it still remains too early to measure the impacts of Brexit to the UK economy with more time needed.

With employment growth on a potential decline and disposable income under fire amid a weakening pound, fears have heightened over the sustainability of the post-Brexit positive data boom. The real impacts and uncertainties revolving around the Brexit may be felt in 2017 if article 50 is invoked.

Sterling bulls were provided another false lifeline following the retail sales report with bears exploiting this opportunity to drag the GBPUSD lower. This pair is under pressure on the daily timeframe and a breakdown below the stubborn 1.2400 support could encourage a decline lower towards 1.2200.

Dollar Lurches to 14 Year High
Dollar bulls were unchained on Wednesday with the Dollar Index flying to fresh 14 year highs above 100.50 as bets intensified over the Federal Reserve raising US rates in December.

The upsurge was complimented with the Trump effect as optimism rose over an improvement in economic growth in the United States under a Trump presidency.

With the probability of a rate hike before year-end nearing 100%, the Dollar could remain buoyed with any weakness seen as a technical correction for another rally.

Investors may direct their attention towards the myriad of data releases from the States on Thursday which may play as key checker pieces ahead of December’s Fed policy meeting.

The important CPI and unemployment claims report could provide the Dollar another welcome boost if both exceeds expectations and point to further economic stability.

Much focus may be placed on Yellen who will be addressing Congress for the first time since Donald Trump’s market shaking victory.

If Yellen adopts a hawkish stance and signals for future interest rate increase amid the plans for fiscal stimulus, then the Dollar may rise as bulls install repeated rounds of buying.

Dollar remains king across the markets with Dollar strength suppressing most other currencies. From a technical standpoint, the Dollar Index is heavily bullish on the daily timeframe as prices are trading above the daily 20 SMA while the MACD has crossed to the upside. Previous resistance around 100.00 could transform into a dynamic support which could trigger another incline towards 100.50 and potentially higher. Bulls remain in control above 99.00.

OPEC – Deal or no Deal
WTI Crude was left vulnerable to losses once again during trading on Wednesday after official inventory reports displayed a larger than expected build in U.S oil stocks.

Oil prices have been on a messy roller coaster ride this month as the conflicting combination of oversupply fears and optimism towards production freezes created extreme levels of volatility.

It seems that despite all the talks of OPEC and Non-OPEC members working together to fight the oversupply woes, optimism has deteriorated over any meaningful freeze deal in November’s formal meeting.

With Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran still at odds over the production curbs, this could be another meal ticket for bears to drag WTI lower. Bears simply need to conquer the $45 support to encourage a further decline towards $43 and potentially lower.

Commodity spotlight – Gold
Gold ticked slightly higher today and this has nothing to do with an improved sentiment towards the metal but profit taking above the stubborn $1210 support.

This metal remains heavily pressured by the rising US rate hike expectations while Dollar strength has capped most upside gains.

As of writing the metal may be in the process of a technical bounce with the $1250 resistance becoming an attractive level for sellers to jump back in. From a technical standpoint, previous support around $1250 could transform into a dynamic resistance that may trigger a decline back towards $1210.


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E-Financial

Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

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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.

 


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Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

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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.

Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

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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.


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SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

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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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