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Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the policies have disproportionately benefited wealthy Nigerians while worsening th...

## KEY TAKEAWAYS * **The Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria PMI fell to 55.7 in October from 56.4 in September** , its ninth straight month above 50 (Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Nov 2, 2026). * **Higher fuel costs drove sharper rises in both purchase costs and selling prices** , while job creation stayed weak as firms worked at full capacity (Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Nov 2, 2026). * **The US ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 55.5% in October from 54.5%.** The Production Index reached **59%** , its highest since November 2021 (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). * **The ISM Prices Index held at 75.2%.** Pricing volatility appeared in **62%** of negative respondent comments, and the Iran war in **21%** (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). * **Cross-border fintech Grey has received an International Money Transfer Operator licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria** , joining a field that numbered **108** approved IMTOs in 2025 (Condia — Nov 2, 2026). * **MTN Nigeria's fintech revenue fell 25.91% to ₦97.5 billion** in the nine months to September as MoMo moved to a new Alipay+ platform (TechCabal — Nov 2, 2026). * **The Caribbean Development Bank has put more than US$700,000 into five Commonwealth events in Antigua and Barbuda** , and is using CHOGM to promote guarantees and risk-sharing for small states (Caribbean Development Bank — Nov 2, 2026). * * * # STORIES THAT MATTER * * * ## NIGERIA — Stanbic IBTC Nigeria PMI Eases To 55.7 As Fuel Costs Push Up Prices The **Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria Purchasing Managers' Index** fell to **55.7** in October from **56.4** in September, Stanbic IBTC Bank and S&P Global reported on Nov 2. Any reading above 50.0 signals better business conditions than the month before. October's figure still points to a marked improvement at the start of the fourth quarter (Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Nov 2, 2026). The survey found that the fourth quarter began much as the third ended, with **sharp rises in new orders and business activity**. **Job creation stayed muted** : firms said they kept up with workloads by running at full capacity rather than adding staff (Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Nov 2, 2026). Prices are the warning sign. **Higher fuel costs** remained a key feature of the survey and produced **sharper increases in both purchase costs and selling prices** (Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Nov 2, 2026). Muyiwa Oni, Head of Equity Research West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank, said in the release that business conditions had "remained in the expansionary territory for the ninth consecutive month" while easing to 55.7. The survey covers agriculture, manufacturing, services, and wholesale and retail. It is the first private-sector reading for October, and the CBN will have it in hand before its **308th Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Nov 23–24** (Central Bank of Nigeria MPC calendar). ### Why It Matters Demand in Nigeria is holding up. New orders and output are still rising sharply, but the gains come from existing capacity, not new jobs, and fuel costs are flowing straight into prices. SMEs that sell to households have a narrow window: they can pass on costs while demand lasts, but the CBN may respond to faster price growth. Diaspora investors in Nigerian consumer, logistics and distribution businesses should test margins against another round of fuel-driven cost increases, and lock in supplier pricing before the Nov 23–24 decision. * * * ## UNITED STATES — ISM Manufacturing PMI Rises To 55.5% As Production Index Hits Highest Since 2021 US manufacturing grew for the **10th month in a row** in October. The **ISM Manufacturing PMI** reached **55.5%** , up **1 percentage point** from 54.5% in September, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The wider economy expanded for the **24th straight month** (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). ### Output led the gain The **Production Index** rose **2.3 points to 59%** , its highest since November 2021 (60.5%). The **New Orders Index** edged up to **55.5%** from 55.3%. The **Employment Index** slipped **0.3 points to 52.4%** , and the **Backlog of Orders Index** fell to **54.6%** from 56.4%. Inventories returned to growth at **51.4%**. Customers' inventories stayed "too low" at **41.6%** , which ISM usually reads as a positive sign for future production (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). ### Costs remain high The **Prices Index** registered **75.2%** , down 2.7 points from September's 77.9% but still deep in increasing territory. Supplier deliveries slowed for the **11th month** , at **59.1%**. Respondent sentiment worsened for a **third month** : **34%** of comments were positive and **66%** negative. Among the negative comments, **62%** cited pricing volatility, **41%** longer lead times, **25%** tariffs and **21%** the Iran war (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). ### Trade picked up too **New Export Orders** rose to **51.2%** and **Imports** to **52.9%** (ISM — Nov 2, 2026). ### Why It Matters Factory output is at a five-year high while input prices stay above 75, a mix that keeps inflation risk alive ahead of Friday's October payrolls. Employment growth slowed even as production rose, which means plants are getting more from existing staff. Black-owned suppliers and contract manufacturers should expect longer lead times and pricing volatility in purchase orders, and build price-adjustment clauses into contracts now. The US and Nigerian surveys show the same pattern: strong demand, weak hiring and energy-driven costs. * * * ## NIGERIA — Grey Secures IMTO Licence As MTN Fintech Revenue Falls 26 Percent Nigerian cross-border fintech **Grey** has received an **International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) licence** from the **Central Bank of Nigeria** , Condia reported. The licence lets a company receive money sent from abroad and pay it out in naira, but it covers **inbound transfers only**. Grey says it serves **more than 3 million users in 70 countries**. It is also registered with **FinCEN** in the US and **FINTRAC** in Canada (Condia — Nov 2, 2026). The market is crowded. The CBN's list of approved IMTOs stood at **108 in 2025** , up from **15** about a decade earlier. The increase followed revised CBN guidelines in **January 2024** that cut minimum capital for foreign IMTOs to **$1 million** from about **$12.8 million**. The same guidelines raised the application fee to **₦10 million** and added an annual renewal fee of the same amount (Condia — Nov 2, 2026). The licence follows Grey's **Oct 29** launch of Paycheck, a product for professionals earning in foreign currencies. Telecom-led fintech in Nigeria had a weaker quarter. **MTN Nigeria's fintech revenue fell 25.91% to ₦97.5 billion ($72.42 million)** in the nine months to September 2026, TechCabal's analysis of the company's results shows. The decline followed MTN's suspension of its Xtratime airtime-and-data credit service from **Apr 16** to meet Nigeria's lending rules. Fintech revenue recovered **78.5%** quarter on quarter in Q3, but still made up only **2.11%** of total revenue of **₦4.61 trillion** (TechCabal — Nov 2, 2026). MoMo PSB moved to a new **Alipay+** platform in August. Monthly active users reached **3.2 million** , and wallet balances more than quadrupled to **₦43.8 billion** from December 2025. MTN expects to restore the credit service to target levels by **end-November**. The planned separation of the fintech business, with **MTN Group taking 60%** and **MTN Nigeria keeping 40%** , still awaits regulatory approval (TechCabal — Nov 2, 2026). ### Why It Matters Regulation now shapes Nigerian fintech more than distribution does. A direct IMTO licence lets Grey compete for the inbound diaspora remittance flow. MTN's results show how quickly lending-rule compliance can cut a quarter's revenue. Diaspora senders get more licensed channels and pressure on fees. Founders face higher fixed costs to stay licensed, which favours well-capitalised operators with multi-market registrations. * * * ## CARIBBEAN — Caribbean Development Bank Finances Commonwealth Events And Promotes Guarantees For Small States The **Caribbean Development Bank** has financed **more than US$700,000** in support for **five Commonwealth events** in **Antigua and Barbuda** around the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The five are the Business, Women, Youth and People Forums and the Disability Symposium. A delegation led by **President Daniel M. Best** is attending the meetings, which run from **Nov 1 to 5** (Caribbean Development Bank — Nov 2, 2026). The CDB says it will argue that resilience should be financed as a **productive economic asset**. It will push for **guarantees, risk-sharing, co-financing and regional investment platforms** to bring private capital into small-state economies, and for international finance to give more weight to vulnerability. "Small states should not be defined only by their exposure to risk. They are credible investment markets," Best said (Caribbean Development Bank — Nov 2, 2026). As **Gold Sponsor of the Business Forum** , the bank will lead a main-stage plenary bringing together governments, investors and businesses. Vice-President (Operations) **Dr Isaac Solomon** said the focus is "moving from policy ambition to implementation." His approach combines project preparation, guarantees, concessional finance and private capital to build pipelines that are scalable and ready to deliver (Caribbean Development Bank — Nov 2, 2026). The bank will also lead consultations on a draft **Caribbean Disability Inclusion Action Plan** , and bring civil society input into its first **Civil Society Engagement and Partnership Strategy** (Caribbean Development Bank — Nov 2, 2026). ### Why It Matters The CDB is treating CHOGM as a deal-origination forum, not just a policy summit. Its stress on guarantees and risk-sharing tells private investors where it wants to absorb risk. Caribbean and diaspora operators with projects ready to finance — in infrastructure, resilience retrofits or enterprise platforms — should approach CDB teams in St. John's this week, while the bank is pitching the region's investment pipeline to Commonwealth capital. * * * ## SOURCES * Stanbic IBTC Bank / S&P Global — Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria PMI, October 2026 — Nov 2, 2026 * Central Bank of Nigeria — MPC calendar 2026 * Institute for Supply Management — October 2026 Manufacturing PMI Report (PR Newswire) — Nov 2, 2026 * Condia — Grey secures IMTO licence from CBN in Nigeria — Nov 2, 2026 * TechCabal — MTN Nigeria moves MoMo to new platform as fintech revenue falls 26% — Nov 2, 2026 * Caribbean Development Bank — CDB Invests in Commonwealth Platforms to Advance Investment, Inclusion and Resilience in Small States — Nov 2, 2026 _Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions._

Nigeria's private sector expanded for a ninth straight month in October as the Stanbic IBTC PMI eased to 55.7, with selling prices rising at their fastest pace in four months on higher fuel costs.

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Afropages recense l’actualité africaine. Nous proposons une sélection de liens vers des sources d’informations rédigées par nos partenaires de référence.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers says its investment approach prioritises sustainable long-term returns, liquidity, risk management and diversification as economic and market conditions change.

## KEY TAKEAWAYS * **The Bank of England announces its Bank Rate decision at 12:00 p.m. UK time on Thursday, Nov 5.** The Monetary Policy Summary, the minutes and the November Monetary Policy Report all publish at that time (Bank of England upcoming events, Bank of England MPC dates). * **Bank Rate sits at 3.75% after a 6–3 vote in September** , with three members voting to raise it to **4%** , so a hike is a live option on Thursday (Bank of England September minutes). * **BLS publishes the October Employment Situation at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Nov 6** , after the **Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey** on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET and **Q3 Productivity and Costs** on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET (BLS November schedule). * **The unemployment rate for Black workers rose to 7.0% in September** , which makes Friday's breakdown by race the most important household number of the week (BLS Employment Situation). * **The Fed publishes its Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey at 2:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov 2** , the first look at bank credit standards since the October FOMC meeting (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). * **Africa's November rate decisions start after this week** : the Bank of Ghana on **Nov 18** , the SARB on **Nov 19** and the CBN on **Nov 23–24** (Bank of Ghana, SARB, Central Bank of Nigeria MPC calendar). * **The Caribbean Development Bank approved a US$10 million policy-based loan for Dominica on Oct 30** , after **US$56.2 million** for education in Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean Development Bank news releases). * * * # Bank Of England Decides Bank Rate Two Days Before BLS Publishes October US Jobs Report * * * Last week four central banks decided rates. This week only one does. The Bank of England announces its decision at noon in London on Thursday (Bank of England upcoming events). The next morning, Washington releases the October jobs report (BLS November schedule). Neither the Fed nor the ECB meets this week. The ECB's next monetary policy meeting is **Dec 16–17** (ECB Governing Council calendar), and the Fed's minutes from its October meeting are due **Nov 18** (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). With no meetings from either, London's vote and the US labour data set the tone for the week. The test is whether policy can hold while energy-driven inflation keeps rising. In September the Bank of England held at **3.75%** , but three members voted to hike (Bank of England September minutes). On Oct 29 the Central Bank of Egypt raised its rates **100 basis points** to a **21.0%** lending rate (Central Bank of Egypt). In September the SARB raised its rate to **7.25%** (SARB MPC statement). In the US, Friday's Employment Cost Index showed private-sector wages **down 0.6%** after inflation over the past year (BLS Employment Cost Index). Household real incomes are falling while central banks lean toward tighter policy. Black operators in the US, the UK, Africa and the Caribbean face a week that turns on two things: the cost of sterling and the strength of US hiring. A hawkish vote in London raises the cost of UK capital invested in African and Caribbean assets. A weak payrolls number, especially another rise in Black unemployment, hits consumer demand in the markets Black-owned businesses serve. Run the cash plan before Thursday noon. * * * ## GLOBAL WATCH ## Bank of England ### What's scheduled The Monetary Policy Committee's November decision, the Monetary Policy Summary and the minutes publish at **12:00 p.m. UK time on Thursday, Nov 5** , together with the quarterly **Monetary Policy Report** (Bank of England upcoming events, Bank of England November MPR). Ben Martin speaks at a data and AI conference at **11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov 4**. Victoria Saporta chairs a session at the ECB Money Market Conference at **1:50 p.m. GMT** on Thursday. Huw Pill and Fergal Shortall give a National MPC Agency briefing at **12:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov 6** (Bank of England upcoming events). ### Market setup Bank Rate stands at **3.75%**. At the meeting ending Sept 16, the committee voted **6–3** to hold, and three members voted for **0.25 percentage points** more, to **4%** (Bank of England September minutes). A 6–3 split makes the vote count the main signal. If it moves to 5–4, sterling reprices before anyone reads the forecasts. A hike reprices the whole UK curve. The November MPR adds new inflation and growth projections, and those set the expected rate path into 2027. ### Why It Matters London is still the main hub for Africa-linked listings, trade finance, insurance and diaspora asset management. A hawkish result raises the cost of sterling debt for UK-based funds investing in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi and Kingston, and changes what remittances from Britain buy at home. Black-owned UK businesses on variable-rate facilities feel a Bank Rate move within one billing cycle. * * * ## Federal Reserve ### What's scheduled The Fed holds no meeting this week. Its calendar lists the **Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices at 2:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov 2** and **H.4.1 Factors Affecting Reserve Balances at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov 5**. On **Friday, Nov 6** it publishes **G.19 Consumer Credit at 3:00 p.m.** and **H.8 commercial bank balance sheets at 4:15 p.m.** Vice Chair for Supervision **Michelle W. Bowman** joins a discussion on supervision and regulation at **12:15 p.m. on Nov 6** at the University of Mississippi Banking and Finance Symposium (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). Minutes of the **Oct 27–28 FOMC meeting** follow on **Nov 18** (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). ### Market setup In a week without a meeting, the Fed's influence runs through credit data. The SLOOS shows whether banks tightened lending standards for businesses and households over the past quarter. Friday's G.19 shows whether households are borrowing more to cover costs that pay isn't keeping up with. ### Why It Matters Black-owned firms rely heavily on bank and CDFI credit, priced off spreads that loan officers set. If the SLOOS shows tighter standards for small firms, the cost of capital rises even without any change in the policy rate. * * * ## European Central Bank ### What's scheduled The ECB holds no monetary policy meeting this week. Its weekly schedule lists **euro area bank interest rate statistics at 10:00 CET on Monday, Nov 2** and Boris Vujčić speaking in Dublin at **10:45 CET**. On **Wednesday, Nov 4** the ECB **Wage Tracker** is out at **10:00** , followed by the **euro area seasonally adjusted HICP flash estimate at 15:00**. Isabel Schnabel opens the **ECB Money Markets Conference at 09:05 CET on Thursday, Nov 5** , and Christine Lagarde speaks in Milan at **17:00 CET**. Philip R. Lane joins a fireside chat at **10:30 CET on Friday, Nov 6** (ECB weekly schedule). ### Market setup With the next decision set for **Dec 16–17** (ECB Governing Council calendar), Wednesday's wage tracker and seasonally adjusted inflation data tell markets most about the December decision. ### Why It Matters Many African and Caribbean deals settle in euros, including equipment imports, DFI disbursements and francophone trade invoices. Firm euro wage data supports a hawkish ECB and raises euro funding costs for project sponsors. Lock in euro pricing on pending procurement before Wednesday afternoon, or price in the risk. * * * ## AFRICA MARKETS ## Nigeria ### Policy calendar The Central Bank of Nigeria cut the Monetary Policy Rate at its **307th meeting on Sept 21–22**. The next meeting, the **308th** , is set for **Nov 23–24, 2026** (Central Bank of Nigeria communiqués, Central Bank of Nigeria MPC calendar). Stanbic IBTC Bank publishes its monthly Nigeria PMI through its insights page, and the October reading opens the week (Stanbic IBTC insights). ### Market posture After a deep cut, the question for markets is whether demand is responding faster than prices. The PMI's output, staffing and input-cost readings give the CBN its first private-sector check before the Nov 23–24 meeting. Global energy prices still feed into domestic transport and power costs. ### Why It Matters Diaspora investors and Nigerian SMEs now borrow below September's levels, but only if banks pass the cut through. Ask your lender this week how the September cut is being priced on your facility. Those terms will move again three weeks from now. ## South Africa ### Policy calendar The SARB raised the repo rate **25 basis points to 7.25%** in September, and its next announcement is **Nov 19, 2026** (SARB MPC statement, SARB Monetary Policy Committee). Stats SA publishes October CPI on **Nov 18 at 10:00** , the day before the decision (Stats SA advance schedule). ### Market posture The rand moves with sterling and US yields. A hawkish Bank of England and strong US payrolls in the same 24 hours would push the rand weaker just as SARB members weigh a second hike. ### Why It Matters Black South African businesses with prime-linked debt pay **10.75%** prime off a 7.25% repo. The decision is 18 days away. Use this week to model the cost of a further 25-basis-point move on working-capital lines. * * * ## Kenya ### Recent stance The Central Bank of Kenya's **Central Bank Rate stands at 8.75%** (Central Bank of Kenya). Its weekly bulletin put September inflation at **6.8%** , up from **6.6%** in August, with **core inflation at 4.0%** driven by processed food (Central Bank of Kenya weekly bulletin). The Stanbic Bank Kenya PMI showed business activity still contracting in September, though at the softest rate in seven months (Stanbic Bank Kenya PMI). ### Market posture Kenya combines rising inflation with weak private-sector activity, a hard mix for a central bank. The October PMI will show whether the contraction in activity has ended. ### Why It Matters Kenya's fintech and SME lenders depend on stable funding costs. Rising inflation with weak demand points to tighter bank credit and more structured deals: revenue-based finance, receivables lines and asset-backed facilities. * * * ## Ghana ### Calendar anchor The Bank of Ghana voted unanimously in September to hold the **Monetary Policy Rate at 14.0%**. Its next meeting runs **Nov 16–18** , with the decision announced on **Nov 18** (Bank of Ghana MPC press release, Bank of Ghana 2026 MPC calendar). ### Market posture The cedi is the variable to watch. Gold receipts and the strength of the dollar after US payrolls drive it in the short run. A strong dollar on Friday would test the reserve buffer two weeks before the MPC meets. ### Why It Matters Importers and exporters in Ghana should price contracts for the cedi as it trades now. Dollar-linked revenue, local-currency hedges and shorter payment terms protect margins through the November meeting. * * * ## DOMESTIC MARKETS (BLACK AMERICA) ## Dollar funding & small-business squeeze ### Signal to watch Monday's SLOOS is the week's main credit release (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). Watch the questions on small-firm standards. Friday's H.8 data then show whether bank loan books are growing or shrinking. ### Why It Matters When credit standards tighten, Black-owned businesses lose access first. Receivables discipline, early renewal of credit lines and a second banking relationship all reduce the risk before the next tightening cycle. * * * ## Workforce dynamics & household demand ### Data on deck **JOLTS for September** prints at **10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov 3** , **Q3 Productivity and Costs** at **8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov 5** , and the **October Employment Situation** at **8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Nov 6** (BLS November schedule). ISM publishes the **Manufacturing PMI on Monday, Nov 2** and the **Services PMI on Wednesday, Nov 4** at **10:00 a.m. ET** (ISM report calendar). ### Constraint The Black unemployment rate rose to **7.0%** in September (BLS Employment Situation). Total civilian compensation rose **3.4%** over the year to September, while private-sector wages fell **0.6%** after inflation (BLS Employment Cost Index). ### Why It Matters Households losing real income spend less. A second monthly rise in Black unemployment would show the squeeze spreading. Consumer brands, franchise operators and service businesses in Black markets should match inventory and marketing spend to Friday's numbers, not to last quarter's plan. * * * ## Real estate & community development finance ### Rate linkage The Fed's weekly H.4.1 on Thursday and the daily Treasury rate data show how bank reserves and term rates are moving (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). A strong payrolls number on Friday lifts the yields that set mortgage, bridge and construction-loan pricing. ### Why It Matters Black developers and CDFI-backed housing projects rely on thin spreads in their financial plans. Lock in bridge and permanent financing quotes before Friday morning if a closing falls in November. * * * ## LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN ## Latin America: low growth, wide divergence The World Bank's October update projects regional growth of **2.2% in 2026**. It finds that countries with sound and durable policies are growing faster, investing more and earning more market confidence (World Bank LAC Economic Update). ECLAC lowered its 2026 regional forecast to **2.0%** and expects **2.5%** in 2027. It projects Caribbean growth of **7.4%** and **7.0%** , falling to **1.2%** and **1.9%** without Guyana (UN News on ECLAC). ### Why It Matters The Caribbean's average growth comes mostly from Guyana's oil output. Afro-descendant entrepreneurs in Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic should target sectors with real pricing power: logistics, energy supply chains and export agribusiness. * * * ## Caribbean: development finance drives procurement The CDB approved a **US$10 million** policy-based loan to Dominica on **Oct 30** , backing reforms to public financial management, debt sustainability, financial stability and climate resilience. Earlier it approved **US$56.2 million** for education in Antigua and Barbuda (**Oct 21**) and launched a PROPEL call for proposals for MSME support institutions (**Oct 26**) (Caribbean Development Bank news releases). In Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries issued a notice on the documentation for the **Dragon gas fiscal measurement agreement** (Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy). ### Why It Matters Contracts follow approved loans. The Antigua education programme means construction, fit-out and teacher-training work. Dominica's reforms mean public-finance systems and advisory contracts. Caribbean contractors and diaspora firms should register on CDB procurement channels now. * * * ## THE WEEK AHEAD **All times in local market time. US clocks are on Eastern Standard Time from Nov 1; the UK is on GMT; the euro area is on CET.** ### Monday — November 2 * 10:00 CET — ECB: euro area bank interest rate statistics; TARGET balances (ECB weekly schedule). * 10:45 CET — ECB: Boris Vujčić speech, Central Bank of Ireland conference, Dublin (ECB weekly schedule). * **10:00 a.m. ET — ISM Manufacturing PMI for October** (ISM report calendar). * **2:00 p.m. ET — Federal Reserve: Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey** (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). ### Tuesday — November 3 * 09:45 CET — ECB: Pedro Machado keynote, Banking Union Conference, Frankfurt (ECB weekly schedule). * **10:00 a.m. ET — BLS: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, September** (BLS November schedule). * 15:00 CET — ECB: APP and PEPP updates; Eurosystem consolidated financial statement (ECB weekly schedule). ### Wednesday — November 4 * 10:00 CET — ECB Wage Tracker (ECB weekly schedule). * 11:35 a.m. UK — Bank of England: Ben Martin speech, Data & AI Conference Europe (Bank of England upcoming events). * **15:00 CET — Euro area seasonally adjusted HICP flash estimate** (ECB weekly schedule). * **10:00 a.m. ET — ISM Services PMI for October** (ISM report calendar). ### Thursday — November 5 * 09:05 CET — ECB: Isabel Schnabel opens the Money Markets Conference (ECB weekly schedule). * **12:00 p.m. UK — Bank of England: Bank Rate decision, Monetary Policy Summary, minutes and November Monetary Policy Report** (Bank of England upcoming events). * **8:30 a.m. ET — BLS: Productivity and Costs, Q3 (preliminary)** (BLS November schedule). * 4:30 p.m. ET — Federal Reserve: H.4.1 Factors Affecting Reserve Balances (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). * 17:00 CET — ECB: Christine Lagarde in Milan (ECB weekly schedule). ### Friday — November 6 * 10:30 CET — ECB: Philip R. Lane fireside chat, Money Markets Conference (ECB weekly schedule). * **8:30 a.m. ET — BLS: Employment Situation, October** (BLS Employment Situation schedule). * 12:15 p.m. UK — Bank of England: Huw Pill and Fergal Shortall National MPC Agency briefing (Bank of England upcoming events). * 12:15 p.m. ET — Federal Reserve: Michelle W. Bowman, University of Mississippi Banking and Finance Symposium (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). * 3:00 p.m. ET — Federal Reserve: G.19 Consumer Credit; 4:15 p.m. ET — H.8 bank assets and liabilities (Federal Reserve Board November calendar). * * * ## WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU 1. **Price sterling exposure before Thursday noon.** UK-funded deals and pound-denominated remittance flows reprice on the Bank of England vote count, so hedge or fix terms ahead of the Nov 5 announcement. 2. **Read Monday's loan officer survey before your next credit renewal.** The SLOOS at 2:00 p.m. ET shows how banks are setting small-firm standards, so use it in your lender conversations this week. 3. **Plan for Friday's labour numbers by race.** Black unemployment was 7.0% in September. Set inventory, hiring and marketing triggers now for the 8:30 a.m. ET release on Nov 6. 4. **Use the African pre-decision window.** Ghana decides on Nov 18, the SARB on Nov 19 and the CBN on Nov 23–24. Refinance, hedge or fix terms in cedi, rand and naira before then. 5. **Register for Caribbean development-bank procurement.** The CDB's Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda approvals create contract pipelines, and early registration secures access to tenders. * * * ## SOURCES * Bank of England — Upcoming events, w/b 2 and 9 November 2026 — updated Oct 30, 2026 * Bank of England — Monetary Policy Committee dates for 2026 and 2027 * Bank of England — Monetary Policy Report, November 2026 (to be published Nov 5) * Bank of England — Monetary Policy Summary and minutes, September 2026 * Federal Reserve Board — Calendar, November 2026 * BLS — Schedule of Selected Releases, November 2026 * BLS — Schedule of Releases for the Employment Situation * BLS — Employment Situation, September 2026 — Oct 2, 2026 * BLS — Employment Cost Index, September 2026 — Oct 30, 2026 * ISM — Report On Business release calendar * ECB — Weekly schedule, Oct 30–Nov 8, 2026 * ECB — Governing Council and General Council meeting calendar * Central Bank of Egypt — MPC press release — Oct 29, 2026 * Central Bank of Nigeria — MPC calendar 2026 * Central Bank of Nigeria — Monetary Policy Communiqués * Stanbic IBTC Bank — Insights (Nigeria PMI) * South African Reserve Bank — MPC statement, September 2026 * South African Reserve Bank — Monetary Policy Committee * Stats SA — Advance schedule, CPI * Central Bank of Kenya — Central Bank Rate * Central Bank of Kenya — Weekly Bulletin — Oct 2, 2026 * Stanbic Bank Kenya — PMI report, September 2026 — Oct 6, 2026 * Bank of Ghana — MPC press release, September 2026 * Bank of Ghana — MPC 2026 calendar * World Bank — Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Update, October 2026 * UN News — ECLAC lowers 2026 regional growth forecast to 2.0% — Oct 2026 * Caribbean Development Bank — News & Events — Oct 30, 2026 * Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries — Dragon gas fiscal measurement agreement notice — Oct 20, 2026 ## DISCLAIMER _This report is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Schedules are drawn from official calendars as of Nov 1, 2026 and can change. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions._

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has set a reference price of N159.86 per ordinary share for its 2026 Interim Scrip Dividend Programme, giving eligible shareholders the choice of cash or additional shares for their N4.50-per-share dividend. The programme applies to shareholders whose names were on the register as of the Oct. 15 qualification date. The board approved the interim dividend, while the allotment of new shares is subject to required regulatory approvals.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc grew its profit after tax by 33 per cent to N370.4 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2026, from N278.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, as a sharp increase in trading income and expansion in its balance sheet strengthened earnings. The financial services group’s unaudited results showed […] The post Stanbic IBTC’s profit jumps 33 percent to N370bn, as trading income surges to N210bn appeared first on Tribune Online.