GBI&I Media Weekly Business & Finance Bulletin – Global & Nigeria Highlights July 26, 2026

Here’s your Weekly Business and Finance Report for the week ending July 26, 2026. Combining bothe global and Nigeria-focuses updates. 

Welcome and Good evening.

Global Market Highlights

Bitcoin rebound  

  Rose 0.8% near $65,000 resistance, buoyed by optimism around Middle East ceasefire talks. Oil prices dipped 10% to $87 Brent crude, easing inflationary pressure.  

Walmart performance  

  Stock fell 4.2% to $109.47, despite e‑commerce growth (+26%) and ad revenue (+37%). Investors await Amazon’s earnings for sector comparison.  

Bitcoin ETF slump  

  NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF cut monthly distributions from $1.04 to $0.65, yield dropping to 8%. ETF down 23% YTD, underscoring crypto volatility.  

Alphabet stock outlook  

  Analysts maintain strong buy rating. Alphabet dominates 90% web search, 70% Android OS, and 3B Gmail users. Consistent revenue growth since 2012 (except Q2 2020).  

Nigeria Business & Finance Highlights

Naira exchange rate  

  Naira traded around ₦1,520/$1 (parallel) vs ₦1,480/$1 (official). FX scarcity continues despite CBN interventions.  

Inflation trends  

  Inflation eased slightly to 31.8%, helped by harvest season. Transport and energy costs remain stubbornly high.  

Banking sector  

  Tier‑1 banks (GTCO, Zenith, Access) posted strong half‑year profits, driven by FX revaluation gains. SMEs still struggle with high lending rates.  

Stock market  

  NGX All‑Share Index gained 1.2%, led by oil & gas stocks. Banking equities saw renewed investor interest ahead of dividend season.  

Business climate  

  Lagos Chamber of Commerce urged faster power sector reforms. Manufacturers continue to face high diesel costs and logistics challenges.  

⚠️ Risks & Considerations

Global: Middle East tensions could reignite oil price spikes; crypto ETFs remain unstable; Alphabet faces regulatory scrutiny.  

Nigeria: FX scarcity pressures naira; inflation still high despite easing; energy reforms critical for long‑term growth.  

📌 Key Takeaways for our Readers

- Oil price dip may ease Nigeria’s fuel import costs temporarily.  

- Crypto caution: Avoid overexposure to Bitcoin‑linked ETFs.  

- Retail watch: Walmart’s private‑label expansion signals global retail trends Nigerian chains may emulate.  

- Banking resilience: Nigerian Tier‑1 banks show strength, but SMEs need relief from high lending rates.  

- Stock opportunities: Oil & gas and banking equities are driving NGX gains.  

- Policy reforms: Energy and infrastructure remain critical for Nigeria’s growth trajectory.  

Stay informed with GBI&I Media’s 20‑minute broadcast update.