Asia / Pacific

More milestones in the opening up of Kingdom Dhahran and Jeddah follow Riyadh's 'Booze Bunker. Aramco has not commented on the reported plan By Timour Azhari & Maha El Dahan RIYADH - Saudi Arabia is planning to open two new liquor stores, one of which will serve non-Muslim foreign employees at the state oil giant Aramco. The kingdom has also eased restrictions on alcohol, according to those briefed about the plans. Launching outlets in Dhahran, a province in eastern Saudi Arabia, and in Jeddah, a port city, would mark a new milestone in the efforts of Crown Prince Mohammed bin...

Investors said that BHP should focus on its own growth strategy and move away from Anglo American, following the Australian firm's last minute appeal to the London listed company, which is close to a $60 billion deal with Canada's Teck Resources. In recent days, the world's biggest miner contacted Anglo's board to determine if there was any interest in a merger. This was reported by Sunday. BHP announced on Monday that it would not pursue the bid, but instead focus its efforts on growth. The decision to leave comes before the votes of Teck and Anglo shares - scheduled for...

BHP Group, the mining company, has renewed its takeover bid for rival Anglo American, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. This comes just months after BHP and Teck Resources, the Canadian miner, agreed to merge to form a global heavyweight in the copper industry. Anglo American refused to comment. BHP didn't immediately respond to an outside normal business hours request for a comment. Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that BHP made overtures to Anglo American recently. The report added that discussions are still ongoing and a deal is not certain. Anglo American has...

Shumeet Baniaerji, an independent director of the BBC board, resigned on Friday after the broadcaster claimed that a speech given by Donald Trump was incorrectly edited. The BBC has threatened to sue for $5 billion over the matter. Banerji resigned a couple of weeks before the end of his four-year tenure. He is also a member of the board of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, and a former CEO of management consulting firm Booz & Company. Banerji, according to the broadcaster's news department, had written in his resignation letter that he felt upset by governance issues at top management. BBC News...

Eli Lilly's market value surpassed $1 trillion on Friday. It is the first pharmaceutical company to join the exclusive club of tech giants, and it highlights its growth as a weight loss powerhouse. The explosive growth in the weight loss drug market has been a major factor behind the more than 35% increase in the stock price of the company this year. As new and highly effective treatments for obesity have hit the market in the past two years, this category has become one of the most profitable segments in healthcare. The world's top-selling drug is now Lilly's Tirzepatide. It's...

Eli Lilly's market value surpassed $1 trillion on Friday. It is the first pharmaceutical company to join the exclusive club of tech giants, and it highlights its growth as a weight loss powerhouse. The explosive growth in the weight loss drug market has been a major factor behind the more than 35% increase in the stock price of the company this year. Obesity treatments, once considered a niche, are now among the most lucrative segments of healthcare. Demand is steadily increasing. Novo Nordisk was the first to market, but Lilly’s drugs Mounjaro & Zepbound have grown in popularity & helped...

The Russian currency market may be affected by the U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft, and Lukoil that will take effect on Friday at 1701 GMT. The rouble strengthened ahead of the deadline on the back of reports that the U.S. had drafted a plan to end the conflict in Ukraine. If implemented, this could lead to the cancellation or the sanctions. What has been happening on the Russian Forex Market? Last year, sanctions were imposed on Russia's largest operator, MOEX, in June, and Russia's third largest bank, Gazprombank in November. MOEX was subject to sanctions, which halted all...

Reliance Industries, India's largest refiner of crude oil, has ceased importing Russian crude into its Jamnagar complex in western Gujarat from November 20, a spokesperson for the company said. The Indian conglomerate has said that it will abide by the sanctions against Moscow, while maintaining its ties with existing oil suppliers. The United States, Britain and the European Union have all imposed sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the war in Ukraine. New sanctions by the U.S. target its two largest oil producers, Rosneft, and Lukoil. Reliance's spokesperson stated in a press release that all products exported from the...

Saudi Arabian crude oil exports reached a record high of seven months in September, according to data released by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative on Wednesday. The world's biggest oil exporter has increased its crude exports to 6,460 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), a slight increase over August's 6.407 millions bpd and the highest level since February. Saudi Arabian crude production, on the other hand, reached a peak of nearly 2.5 years, 9.966 millions bpd, in September. This was its highest level since April 2023. In August, the output was 9.722 millions bpd. JODI publishes the monthly export...

British Defence Minister John Healey stated on Wednesday that "military alternatives" were ready in the event the Russian spy vessel Yantar became a threat. The ship had directed lasers towards British pilots who were sent to monitor it. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Britain's Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Forces (RAF), regularly shadow potential threats to national safety. Such missions to monitor Russian vessels or submarines are becoming more frequent. Healey stated that aiming lasers at RAF aircraft was "deeply hazardous" and Britain would react based on the Yantar’s next move. Healey stated that "we have...

Finnish petrol station operator Teboil is owned by Russian oil giant Lukoil and said that it was preparing to close its operations when fuel ran out due to U.S. sanction against its parent. Teboil announced that stations would close in stages once the fuel stock is sold out. The United States last week imposed sanctions on Lukoil for its involvement in the war in Ukraine. On Friday, the Trump administration gave potential buyers clearance to speak to the Russian company regarding buying their products. Non-Russian assets According to the website of Teboil, there are 430 Teboil stations in Finland. This...

Sources familiar with the situation said that Exxon Mobil, a U.S. oil giant, is considering buying parts of Lukoil’s international assets. Sources claim that Exxon is evaluating options to purchase Lukoil assets, in Kazakhstan. Both the U.S. firm and the Russian company have stakes in the Karachaganak field and Tengiz field. Chevron, a partner in these assets as well, is also examining options to purchase them, according to a report on Monday. Two sources claim that Exxon could also be considering a bid for the West Qurna 2 oil field in Iraq. This field is operated by Lukoil, and is...

Gold prices increased on Monday due to a falling dollar and growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month. As of 09:12 am, spot gold was up by 0.4% to $4,081.52 an ounce. ET (1412 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery were unchanged at $4,079.30 an ounce. Dollar index fell, making dollar priced bullion more accessible to holders of other currencies. Bart Melek is the head of commodity strategy at TD Securities. Melek continued, "A combination (of lower expectations) and a stronger U.S. Dollar has helped gold in the current environment." John Williams, the New...

Harmony Gold announced on Monday that its board of directors has approved an investment between $1.55 and $1.75 billion for the development of its Australian copper project, following completion of a new feasibility study. South Africa's largest gold producer is now diversifying into the copper industry as gold mining becomes more expensive and difficult geologically in its own country. Copper's appeal is also boosted by its use in electric vehicles and grid infrastructure. Harmony acquired the Eva Copper Project in Queensland in 2022. Harmony said that the mine will produce 65,000 tons of copper concentrate per year in its first...

On Monday, European Union ministers were to encourage top U.S. officials to implement more of the EU-U.S. July trade agreement by reducing U.S. duties on EU steel as well as removing them on EU goods like wine and spirits. In their first trip to Brussels after taking office, U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer would meet EU ministers for trade in a 90-minute lunch meeting. Before that meeting, European ministers met to discuss urgent trade issues including Chinese restrictions on rare earth and chips exports. No IMMEDIATE Breakthroughs Expected Maros SEFCIOVIC, European Trade Commissioner, said...

Gold prices were stable on Monday as the growing expectation of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December helped to offset pressures from a strong dollar. As of 1153 GMT, spot gold rose 0.1% to $4,069.10 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery fell 0.3%, to $4.065.40 an ounce. Gold priced in greenbacks is now more expensive than it was on Friday when the dollar hit a six-month high. "Gold stabilized as investors assessed the prospect of a further Fed rate cut, after New York Fed president John Williams indicated there may be space to lower borrowing rates...

On Monday, European Union Ministers will urge U.S. top trade officials to implement more of the EU-US July trade agreement. For example, by reducing U.S. steel tariffs and removing them from EU goods like wine and spirits. On their first trip to Brussels after taking office, U.S. Commerce Secretaries Howard Lutnick & Jamieson Greer will be meeting EU Ministers for Trade. Lutnick and Greer will be hosted for 90 minutes at lunch by the EU Ministers to discuss important trade issues including Chinese restrictions on rare earths and chips. The United States imposed a 15% tariff on the majority of...

Gold prices fell for the third consecutive session Monday as the dollar strengthened near six-months highs and investors awaited further clarity about the U.S. rate trajectory. As of 0536 GMT, spot gold was down by 0.4%, at $4,045.58 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery fell by 0.9% to $4.042.50 an ounce. The dollar index has reached near six-month highs and is above 100. If it continues to trade over 100, there will be more pressure on the gold price, said Jigar Trivedi. Senior research analyst at brokerage Reliance Securities. Gold priced in greenbacks is more expensive to holders...

Gold prices fell for the third consecutive session on Monday, as the dollar climbed to six-month highs. Market participants are awaiting more clarity about the U.S. rate path. As of 0353 GMT, spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,051.31 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery edged up 0.8% to $4,047.70 an ounce. The dollar index has reached a six-month high, is above 100, and if the index continues to rise above 100 then it will put further pressure on gold's price, said Jigar Trivedi. Senior research analyst at brokerage Reliance Securities. Gold priced in greenbacks is more expensive to...

BHP Group announced on Monday that it has decided to abandon its pursuit of a possible merger with Anglo American following preliminary discussions with Anglo American's board. The company stated that it believes a tie up would have created value for its stakeholders and offered "strong strategic benefits". However, it added that the strength of their own organic growth strategy remains strong. BHP tried to take over Anglo for $49 billion last year. However, the target refused multiple offers and BHP withdrew. BHP should assess the possibility of selling such assets. It does seem a bit messy on the BHP's...

The gold price held steady Friday after it fell over 1% in the previous session. Traders increased their bets that interest rates will drop by December following Fed comments. As of 11:45 am, spot gold was unchanged at $4,077.19 an ounce. ET (1645 GMT), following a fall of more than 1% in the earlier session. Bullion has lost 0.1% in the last week. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery rose by 0.4%, to $4.076.90 an ounce. John Williams, the New York Fed president, said on Friday that the U.S. Central Bank could still reduce interest rates in near-term without compromising...

Gold prices dropped more than 1% Friday, and are set to fall for the week after a strong U.S. employment report dampened expectations that a Federal Reserve rate reduction will be made next month. This weighed on non-yielding gold. Spot gold dropped 0.9% by 1213 GMT to $4,039.79 an ounce. Bullion prices have fallen 0.9% in the last week. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery fell 0.6% to $ 4,037.10 an ounce. The prospect of more rate cuts is somewhat doomed due to the good labour market data released yesterday. Nitesh Sha, commodities strategist at WisdomTree, believes that this is...

A union official announced on Friday that American Industrial Partners, an investment firm based in the United States, plans to sell or list Aluminium Dunkerque on the stock exchange, France's biggest aluminium plant. Johan Vlietinck told CGT that the local management had informed the workers of AIP’s plan. Bloomberg News reported earlier that AIP considered a sale or listing of Aluminium Dunkerque. The company acquired the property four years ago after GFG Alliance defaulted on its debts. GFG Alliance is owned by commodities tycoon Sanjeev Gupta. A spokesperson from AIP France stated that the fund did not deny the reports...

Bitcoin and ether fell to multi-month-lows on Friday. cryptocurrencies were swept up as part of a wider flight from riskier investments, as investors became worried about high tech valuations. They also lost bets that the U.S. would soon cut interest rates. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency in the world, dropped 5.5% to $81,668, its lowest level in seven months. Ether fell more than 6%, to $2,661.37. This is its lowest level in four months. Both tokens have fallen by about 12% this week. Cryptocurrencies can be a good indicator of the risk appetite in the market. Their recent slide shows how...