Business
CBN Stops FX Price Verification System Portal for Importers from July 1
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that it will discontinue the use of the foreign exchange price verification system portal for importers starting from July 1. The Price Verification Report will no longer be required for the completion of a Form ‘M’, which is a declaration of intention to import physical goods into Nigeria.
The decision was disclosed in a circular on the CBN’s website, signed by the Acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, W. J. Kanya. The notice, addressed to all authorized dealer banks and the general public, cited recent developments in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market as the reason for this change.
In August 2023, the CBN had mandated price verification from the portal for all Form ‘M’ requests effective from August 31, 2023. The portal was introduced during the tenure of former acting governor Folashodun Shonubi as an extension of the e-evaluator and e-invoice systems launched in 2022. These systems were designed to replace hard copy final invoices in FX documentation processes and to monitor imported goods and collect import duties where applicable.
The circular stated:
“We refer to the circular dated August 17, 2023, referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/008 and titled ‘Go-Live Of The Central Bank Of Nigeria Price Verification System Portal’ on the deployment of the Price Verification System.
Given recent developments in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, the CBN hereby discontinues the Price Verification System.
Consequently, with effect from July 01, 2024, all applications for Form ‘M’ shall be validated without the Price Verification Report generated from the Price Verification Portal.
For the avoidance of doubt, by this circular, the Price Verification Report is no longer a requirement for the completion of a Form ‘M’. Please note and be guided accordingly.”
This move indicates a shift in CBN’s approach to foreign exchange regulation and import documentation, potentially easing the process for importers.
Business
Logan Paul Faces Scrutiny Over Cryptocurrency Promotions and Investments
Logan Paul, a prominent social media influencer with over 23 million YouTube subscribers, is under fire for his involvement in cryptocurrency projects. Accusations have surfaced that Paul may have profited by allegedly misleading fans into investments that caused token prices to spike.
Paul’s influence in the crypto space has been growing over the past three years, as his videos increasingly reference blockchain technologies and investment opportunities. However, some critics argue his endorsements lack transparency, fueling speculation that he may have sold tokens at inflated prices after his promotions.
Adding to his challenges, Paul is embroiled in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit over CryptoZoo, a failed crypto project he backed. The venture was marketed as a play-to-earn game, but investors claim they lost significant sums when the project collapsed.
Paul has denied any wrongdoing in connection to both CryptoZoo and his other cryptocurrency activities. Despite the controversy, he remains a major figure in the influencer world, leveraging his platform to shape conversations and trends across various industries.
Business
Walmart Raises Full-Year Outlook as Holiday Shopping Boosts Sales
Walmart has once again raised its annual sales forecast, citing stronger-than-expected consumer spending on non-grocery items, increased home delivery orders, and early holiday shopping. The retail giant now anticipates net sales growth between 4.8% and 5.1% for the fiscal year, up from its previous projection of 3.75% to 4.75%.
The updated outlook was announced alongside third-quarter earnings that surpassed Wall Street expectations. Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey noted that general merchandise sales increased year-over-year for the second consecutive quarter, reversing a decline that spanned 11 quarters. However, he highlighted that customers remain price-sensitive, waiting for deals, particularly as food prices remain elevated.
“We’re expecting this holiday period to be very consistent with that,” Rainey said, emphasizing shoppers’ focus on price and value.
Walmart’s strong performance propelled its shares up by about 3% in early trading, reaching a 52-week high and setting a new all-time intraday record since the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972.
For the quarter ending October 31, Walmart reported a sharp increase in net income, rising to $4.58 billion, or 57 cents per share, compared with $453 million, or 6 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue climbed to $164.05 billion, up from $160.80 billion in the same period last year.
Comparable sales, a key industry metric, grew 5.3% for Walmart U.S. and 7% at Sam’s Club (excluding fuel). Walmart also reported higher customer engagement, with U.S. transactions rising 3.1% and average ticket size increasing 2.1% year-over-year.
Business
Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Amid Financial Struggles
US budget airline Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing prolonged financial losses and failed merger attempts. The Florida-based carrier announced on Monday that it has secured an agreement to restructure its debt and raise funds during a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, expected to conclude by early 2025.
Spirit assured customers that its operations will continue as normal throughout the process, with no impact on passenger travel, employee wages, or payments to aircraft leasing firms.
This marks the first bankruptcy filing by a US airline in over a decade, with the last major case being American Airlines’ 2011 filing to address labor costs and high fuel prices. Spirit, however, has faced unique challenges, including intensified competition in the budget travel sector and engine-related mechanical issues that have grounded aircraft and increased operating expenses.
The airline has not posted a full-year profit since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and reported losses of approximately $360 million (£285 million) in the first half of 2024, despite strong demand for budget travel.
As part of its restructuring, Spirit will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in the near future, and its stock shares will be canceled without value.
The airline remains optimistic that the Chapter 11 process will help it emerge more financially stable, ensuring continued service to its customers and support for its employees.
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