E-Financial
FXTM Analysis: Is Market Volatility Making A Return?

FXTM Research Analyst Lukman Otunuga comments on Asian stock movements, following rising US – China tensions over North Korea.
Asian stocks concluded lower on Tuesday while European equities were under pressure as geopolitical tensions stemming from North Korea’s missile launch have encouraged investors to develop a more cautious stance.
It appears that geopolitical risks are starting to reappear in the headlines, something that has been complemented by reports that President Trump believes China should be doing more to contain the situation.
With the unexpected surprises from last week sparking discussions of volatility making a return, the developments seen today could fuel the speculation further. The re-emergence of geopolitical tensions in Asia, Brexit developments and ongoing political instability in Washington could make for wild trading conditions in the third quarter of 2017.
Yen supported by caution
The Japanese Yen appreciated against its major counterparts during early trading on Tuesday amid risk aversion, with investors adopting a cautious approach following reports of North Korea conducting a long-range missile test. In times of uncertainty and trouble, the Yen remains a trader’s best friend and this was illustrated today when the currency gained ground against the US Dollar.
Although the USDJPY eventually clawed back recent losses as of writing, further downside could be expected if uncertainty and geopolitical risk accelerate the flight to safety. From a technical standpoint, the USDJPY has found some resistance at 113.50. A failure of bulls to secure control above this level could open a path lower back towards 111.60.
WTI Crude smashes into $47
WTI bulls crashed into a brick wall in the form of $47 on Tuesday, following reports that OPEC’s production in June climbed to its highest levels so far in 2017, as Nigeria and Libya pumped more oil.
It’s quite remarkable how the seemingly harmless supply cut exemptions for Libya and Nigeria are threatening to sabotage the efforts made by the rest of the group to rebalance the saturated markets.
With rising oil production in the US another painful piece of the equation that continues to compound to the oversupply concerns, WTI Crude is at risk of remaining depressed for a prolonged period of time. Although WTI Crude has staged an impressive rebound from the $42 level, sellers may be enticed to exploit the technical bounce to install renewed rounds of selling, with $45 acting as a level of interest. From a technical standpoint, the $47-48 region should act as a check point for bears to jump back in.
Commodity spotlight – Gold
Gold bulls found support in the form of geopolitical risk during Tuesday’s trading session as the metal rebounded from $1220. Although the current market anxiety and flight to safety has the ability to support Gold, the sharp $23 depreciation observed on Monday will be difficult for bulls to claw back.
Short term bears remain in control with Gold at risk of depreciating further if the Greenback continues to stabilize. From a technical standpoint, the yellow metal has turned bearish on the daily charts. Weakness below $1220 may open a path towards $1214.
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E-Financial
FIRS Decries Cross-border Tax Crimes

Dr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has stated that cross-border tax crimes had undermined effort of countries to raise revenue for development.
He added that cross-border tax crimes distorted fair competition because compliant companies pay a higher cost for business and appear less profitable.
He also challenged global leaders to tackle the rising cross-border crimes that have disrupted revenue mobilisation and economic growth. Adedeji threw the challenge while delivering a keynote address at the 42nd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crimes (CIDOEC) held at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The symposium has, for over four decades, been a crucible of ideas, a forge for strategies, and a platform where countries chart a collective course against the impact and threat economic crimes pose to countries and institutions.
The global meeting was attended by about 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including legislators, policy makers, law enforcement agencies, security and intelligence personnel, regulators, governance and compliance officers, and academics.
Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS boss, Dare Adekanmbi, in a statement, said Adedeji was represented by the Coordinating Director of Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows and immediate past chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.
“This year’s theme ‘Cross-Border Crimes’ speaks directly to one of the most complex and corrosive challenges of our interconnected world. “In a global economy where capital can move faster than law enforcement, and where digital and legal arbitrage often outpace regulation, the fight against crossborder economic crime is, by necessity, both local and global, both urgent and pressing.
“Modern day cross border crimes remind us that borders and boundaries have become virtual and distance irrelevant to the perpetration of crime and the negative impact on victims,” said Adedeji, who is also the Special Adviser on Revenue to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On corporate or natural citizens who evade, avoid, fraudulently manipulate tax obligations by exploiting the intricacies of international trade or international finance, the FIRS boss said they have become implicated in cross border crimes.
He said: “When corporate or natural persons earn income in one country but hide same in another country, when they deceive, conceal or falsify records, they undermine the integrity and fiscal aspirations of the two countries they are manipulating. “When they hide income and assets in secrecy in some jurisdictions to avoid home-country taxes, they are hurting the fiscal target of home country.”
E-Financial
NGX Suspends Three Firms over 2024 Financial Results

Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has suspended three insurance companies on the exchange for failure to release financial results for the 2024 fiscal year.
The affected underwriting firms are Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, and Universal Insurance Plc.
As a result of the embargo, shareholders and other investors will not be able to trade their stocks on the local stock market, according to a notice signed by Obioma Oge for the Head of Issuer Regulation Department of the NGX.
In the statement, it was disclosed that the effective date for the suspension of the three organisations was Monday, September 1, 2025.
It was in line with Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, (Default Filing Rules), which provides that if an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the cure period, the exchange will: a) send to the issuer a second filing deficiency notification within two business days after the end of the cure period; b) suspend trading in the issuer’s securities; and c) notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the market within 24 hours of the suspension.
However, the embargo may be lifted if the trio released their outstanding financial statements for “the year ended December 31, 2024.”
E-Financial
SEC Launches Redesigned Website to Boost Transparency, Investor Safety

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has officially launched its newly redesigned website, marking a significant step toward enhancing digital engagement, regulatory transparency, and investor protection.
The regulator, in a statement on Monday, said the upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience aimed at investors, market operators, and the general public.
According to the SEC, the new platform features improved navigation, consolidated resources such as regulatory guidelines and publications, and a mobile-friendly design.
“This comprehensive upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience,” SEC said.
“The restructured platform ensures critical information is better organized and more accessible for all stakeholders, including investors, market participants, and the general public.
“Key enhancements include an intuitive menu and site structure for finding information quickly.
“Consolidated Resources: Key documents, regulatory guidelines, and publications are now easier to locate. A responsive design optimized for desktop and mobile devices.
“The initiative underscores the Commission’s ongoing commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and improved stakeholder engagement.”
According to Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of SEC, the website redesign reflects “our dedication to continuous improvement in service delivery and communication”.
“This digital advancement is a significant step in building a more transparent and accessible Commission, enhancing our engagement with the capital market and the investing public,” Agama said.
Also speaking, Samiya Usman, executive commissioner for corporate services at SEC, said the focus went beyond aesthetics.
“By simplifying access and logically organizing content, we have created a powerful platform that supports our mission to develop and regulate a fair, efficient, and transparent capital market,” the commissioner said.
The SEC urged stakeholders to explore the website and use its features to access regulatory updates, news, and services.
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