General News
Stocks Continue to Wane Amid Higher Yields
By Han Tan, Market Analyst at FXTM
Global risk sentiment remains poor, as investors continue contending with this week’s surge in Treasury yields, with 10-year yields above the psychologically important 1.30% level at the time of writing. US stock futures are edging lower following three consecutive days of losses for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. Most Asian benchmark indices are currently in the red.
Market participants are willing to bet that the swathes of fiscal and monetary support for the US economy will lead to bigger inflationary pressures. Amid this Fed-fiscal fete, investors are trying to pre-empt when the central bank might ease up on its asset purchases which could then pave the way for a rate hike.
Reflation trade stoked by US economic optimism
Investors have been paring their exposure to equities as they attempt to sort through this conundrum, and it remains to be seen whether the reflation bet will be vindicated by a strong showing in US inflation.
Still, investors would be remiss if they were to already fully exclude the pandemic’s downside risks. Thursday’s larger-than-expected US weekly jobless claims dented some of the optimism surrounding the positive surprises earlier in the week, validating the Fed’s insistence that the US economy remains a “long way” from a full recovery.
The February US Markit PMIs due later today may add more colour to investors’ views as to whether the rosier economic outlook remains warranted.
Stocks to get more cues from the Biden-Powell show next week
In order for risk-on sentiment to be restored over the coming week, it may require the Biden-Powell tag team to really come through. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to deliver his semi-annual testimony before the Senate next Tuesday, and it remains to be seen whether the scheduled Fed speak over the coming days will help or hamper rising yields. Then, a week from today, President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus package could be put through its first floor vote in the House of Representatives.
The hopes for more incoming US fiscal stimulus remain a pillar for equity bulls, even though it may herald a ramping up of US inflationary pressures. Should the Fed be able to convince markets that any tapering remains a distant event, that should spell more upside for stock markets as they continue wallowing in the abundant money flows in the interim.
Gold losing out as inflation hedge
Spot gold has clearly languished in the wake of this surge in Treasury yields, with the precious metal trading around its lowest levels since July. Bullion is on course for seven consecutive days of losses, its longest losing streak since November 2018.
Gold is having a tough time trying to win investors over in validating its role as an inflation hedge, with other assets currying more favour instead. The optimism surrounding the US economic outlook also does not play into gold bulls’ hands, while the surge in Treasury yields is eroding demand for the non-yielding precious metal.
Until investors are shown real signs that inflation is picking up, they’re unlikely to have much reason to hold on to the precious metal in the interim. Gold’s waning appeal is evidenced by ETFs shedding their holdings by almost 974,000 ounces so far this year.
From a technical perspective, the downtrend remains firmly intact since posting that record high back in August. Having formed a death cross earlier this week, with the 100-day simple moving average (SMA) set to join its 50-day counterpart below the 200-day SMA, such a technical event typically heralds further declines over the near term. With momentum pointing south, coupled with the fact that prices have yet to conclusively drop into oversold territory, spot gold could yet dive closer towards the key psychological $1700 mark.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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