Asia / Pacific






Energy Markets

Students at anti-Prabowo demonstrations claim that Indonesia is heading for bankruptcy

On Friday, hundreds of Indonesian students rallied in Jakarta to 'protest' the spending priorities set by President Prabowo's government and to protest this week's decision of raising gasoline prices. Students marched to the iconic Bundaran HI landmark in central Jakarta, calling their protest "Heading towards Bankrupt Indonesia". Organisers claimed that police and military personnel prevented some protesters from reaching the designated location. The government used subsidies to maintain gasoline prices in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, despite an increase in global oil prices due to the Iran war. The budget pressures from Prabowo’s ambitious spending plans are increasing, resulting in a...



Energy Markets

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Indian stocks join global rally for Gulf Peace Deal

Indian shares rose on Monday as they tracked a?global rally. Oil prices fell after the U.S. announced that it had reached an initial agreement with Iran to end the?war? and resume?traffic through?the Strait?of Hormuz. Shehbaz Sherif, the Pakistani Prime Minister, who served as a facilitator in these negotiations, announced that the countries would sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland this Friday. As of 10:02 am IST, the benchmark Nifty 50 index was up 1.45% to 23,964 while the BSE Sensex?added a further 1.54% to reach 76,679.37. Brent crude fell 4.7%, to $83 per barrel, its lowest price since March....

Fossil Fuels

Indian stocks join global rally for Gulf Peace Deal

Indian shares rose on Monday, following a global rally. Oil prices fell after the U.S. announced that an initial agreement had been reached between the U.S., Iran, and the United Nations to end the war, and resume 'traffic' through the Strait of Hormuz. Shehbaz Sherif, the Pakistani Prime Minister, who served as a facilitator in these negotiations, announced that the countries would sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland this Friday. As of 9:43 a.m. IST, the benchmark Nifty 50 index was up 1.39% to 23,954, while the BSE Sensex gained 1.43%, reaching 76,605.4. Brent crude fell 4.7%, to $83...

Oil & Gas

Indian stocks join global rally over Gulf peace deal and oil slide

Indian shares rose a little higher at the opening of trading on Monday. They were following a global rally as oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald 'Trump'?and Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced an initial agreement to end the conflict and resume traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Shehbaz Sherif, Pakistani Prime Minister, who served as the'mediator in these negotiations, announced that on Friday they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland. As of 9:15 a.m., the benchmark Nifty rose by 1.53% to 23984.85, and?the BSE Sensex increased by 1.59% to 76,725.27. IST. The Nifty and Sensex gained about...

Oil & Gas

Indian shares to rally in support of Gulf peace agreement and oil slide

Indian shares will open higher on Monday as they track a global rally. Oil prices, however, have fallen after U.S. president Donald Trump?and Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced an initial agreement to end the war and resume traffic through Strait of?Hormuz. Shehbaz Sherif, the Pakistani Prime Minister, who served as a facilitator in these negotiations, announced that the countries would sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland this Friday. As of 7:38 am IST, the GIFT Nifty Futures were trading at 23983.5. This means that Nifty 50 will open 1.5% above Friday's closing price of 23,622.90. The Nifty and BSE...

Fossil Fuels

Iran deal very close, signing possible in coming days, US official says

A senior U.S. official stated on Friday that the United States and Iran are close to signing a deal. Washington is expecting to sign the deal within days. The U.S. official told reporters that the team had put them in a good position, but they were not yet at the finish line. The official stated that the agreed terms accomplish President Donald 'Trump's main objectives and put the U.S. in a "very, very good position" at the end. According to the official, the terms of this so-called "memorandum of agreement" include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as well...

Oil & Gas

SpaceX stock soars to $2 trillion valuation after record IPO

SpaceX jumped more than 20% on its Nasdaq debut, bringing its valuation up to $2 trillion. Investors piled in to the world's biggest IPO on Friday and?betted on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning from rockets to ai. Stocks opened trading at $150 compared to the IPO price per share of $135. It was last trading at $164 and is the sixth-largest U.S. firm by market value. Bankers warned that the IPO market could be affected if SpaceX's shares close below the Thursday pricing level. Market participants are watching the company's debut as a rehearsal for the next generation of mega-listings....

Oil & Gas

SpaceX's IPO: The Road to Success

SpaceX's stock market debut was on Friday. Investors backed Elon Musk's vision of an empire spanning from reusable rockets to orbital artificial intelligence at a valuation among the world's largest. Here's a?timeline for SpaceX to its blockbuster IPO. Elon Musk launches SpaceX in March 2002, using the money he earned from selling PayPal. March 2006: SpaceX launches its first rocket, Falcon 1, but it fails. Falcon 1 launched successfully in September 2008 and became the first liquid-fuel rocket developed by private industry to reach Earth orbit. SpaceX signs its first major contract in December 2008 with NASA for the transportation...

Fossil Fuels

The Russian deputy prime minister calls for forecasts of the fuel market to prevent shortages

The 'Russian Government' said late on Thursday that Alexander Novak, Russian Deputy Premier Minister, called for a system of forecasts to protect against fuel distribution problems and meet domestic demand. According to a statement posted on the website of the government, Novak requested the creation a forecasting model following a cabinet meeting that took place late in the evening. The statement stated that "Alexander Novak gave instructions to create a forecast model of the development of the fuel markets on a regional basis, including a'most detailed breakdown of every possible parameter. The system, it was said, would allow bottlenecks to...

Oil & Gas Refining

Gasoline shortages in the US during summer driving season cause problems

The U.S. is entering the peak driving season of summer just as gasoline prices are rising. A tight supply situation has been created by a combination of a strong domestic demand, and a surge in fuel exports. The soaring summer demand for American automobiles has not deterred U.S. refiners, who are increasingly focusing on lucrative jet and diesel fuel production in order to fill global shortages due to shipping disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz. This critical passageway is responsible for?nearly one fifth of all global oil flows. It has been effectively closed since the start of the Iran War....

Fossil Fuels

Trump: 'Great' Iran settlement to trigger opening of Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Thursday that a "great agreement" to end the war in Iran would be signed within days. Trump told reporters at the Oval Office: "We have just reached a wonderful settlement in our war with Iran." He said: "The strait is going to be officially opened as soon as we have signed, which may happen very soon, perhaps over the weekend, in Europe." Trump claimed he just spoke to Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and also with the leaders of Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. He said that he was soon...

Oil & Gas

SpaceX's IPO: The Road to Success

SpaceX's initial public offering in the United States raised $75 billion on Thursday as investors raced to get exposure to Elon Musk’s space?and satellite empire before its highly anticipated Nasdaq début. This is a time line of?SpaceX’s journey towards the blockbuster IPO Elon Musk started SpaceX in March 2002 with money from the sale of PayPal. SpaceX launched its first rocket in March 2006, the Falcon 1. It failed. Falcon 1 is launched successfully in September 2008. It's the first liquid-fuel rocket developed by a private company to reach Earth orbit. SpaceX signs its first major contract in December 2008...

Fossil Fuels

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Group enters Mumbai slum redevelopment sector

Reliance Group, owned by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has won the bid to redevelop Dharavi, a slum of 101.4 acres in western Mumbai. This is its first entry into a market where Adani Group, a rival, is already redeveloping Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums. The Mumbai-based Slum Rehabilitaion Authority announced late Wednesday that a consortium led by Reliance 4IR Real Estate?Private Limited won the bid to develop the Juhu Galli cluster of slums in Andheri. It said that the project will deliver over 28,000 homes of rehabilitation for those who are eligible and currently live in Juhu Galli. JSW...

Crude Oil

Oil & Gas

Wright: US military helps move 7 million barrels per day of oil out of Persian Gulf

The U.S. is helping to export 7 million barrels of oil a day from the Persian Gulf. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking at a Houston event on Friday, said that the U.S. military is helping to move oil out of the Persian Gulf. Wright stated that the oil flow in the Strait of Hormuz has been about half of what it was before the U.S. - Israel war began with Iran. Wright stated that "we have a recent military effort which began to remove cargoes" Wright, speaking at Bloomberg Energy's event, said that no?Iranian oil is leaving the Strait. He...

Crude Oil

Weekend Reads: China’s oil shift, World Cup Economics

Are you looking for inspiration? Weekend 'Reads' will be published every Friday to provide an overview of what the Open Interest team have been watching, reading and listening to. This week the team is recommending a range of articles, from analyses of the 'World Cup to breakdowns of the 'energy shock. You're reading... MIKE Dolan, ROI Finance & Markets columnist: Gene Frieda, at the think tank Bruegel, considers if the latest energy crisis may require temporary fiscal-monetary cooperation in the U.S. and Europe - which could involve central banks purchasing debt or anchoring borrowing rates. RON BOUSSO is the ROI...

Crude Oil

Gasoline shortages in the US during summer driving season cause problems

The U.S. is rushing into the peak driving season of summer, just as gasoline prices are rising. The soaring summer demand for American automobiles hasn't stopped U.S. refining companies from prioritizing lucrative jet and diesel fuel production to backfill global shortages due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the beginning of the Iran War, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to nearly a fifth?of global oil flows. Analysts are warning that a shortage is imminent as U.S. demand for gasoline has been strong despite the fact that U.S. gas prices have risen by 40% since the...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Gold gains continue after US and Iran peace agreement

Gold rose by more than 2% on Monday, after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. By 0536 GMT the spot gold price had risen 2.5%, to $4,323.29 an ounce, its highest since June 9, and extended gains for a 3rd straight session. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose?2.5% at $4,343.80. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on a framework for ending their war, stopping the U.S.'s blockade...

Mineral Resources

Gold gains continue after US and Iran peace agreement

Gold prices rose by more than 2% after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. Gold spot rose 2.5%, to $4,322.87 an ounce, by 0312 GMT. This was its highest level since the 9th of June and extended gains for a 3rd straight session. U.S. Gold Futures for August?delivery increased 2.5% to $4344.80. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on a framework for ending?their conflict, stopping the U.S.-led blockade...

Mineral Resources

Singapore introduces central bank gold vaulting services and an OTC gold clearing system

Singapore is establishing an over-the counter gold clearing system and introducing central bank gold vaulting services. This comes as the city state looks to establish itself as a gold trading hub. Gan Kim Yong, the Deputy Prime Minister, told the Asia-Pacific Precious Metals conference on Monday that the Singapore Exchange will?establish a gold clearing system over-the-counter for Loco Singapore or physical gold in Singapore by the end this year. He said that six banks will be clearing members: DBS, Deutsche Bank ICBC Standard Bank J.P. Morgan OCBC, UOB. Gan stated that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will offer central...

Mineral Resources

Gold gains more than 1% following US-Iran peace agreement

Gold prices rose by more than 1% on Monday after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced they had reached an agreement to end their conflict. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. As of 0010 GMT spot gold rose 1.8% to $4,297.42 an ounce. This is its highest level since the 9th of June. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 1.9% to $4,318.10. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement?on the framework of a peace deal to end their conflict, stop?the U.S. Blockade of Iran, and...

Mineral Resources

Gold's record rally falters when bulls are confronted with Fed rate expectations and a stronger dollar

The expectation of U.S. tightening of monetary policy and the strength in the dollar has taken some wind out?of a "perfect storm" that was driving an upswing?in gold prices since 2023. Prices are now vulnerable?around $4,000/ounce, as interest rates unfold. Gold's reversal raised questions about the durability of its record-breaking rally, even though geopolitical risks, fiscal deficits, and central bank purchases continue to support bullion in the long-term. The spot gold price has dropped 25% after hitting a record of $5,595 back in January. This is because the Iran War sparked a rally in oil prices and increased bets for...

Mineral Resources

India's chief economist says that equities are less tax-efficient than bonds.

India's Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran stated on Friday that the case for changes to capital gains tax on equities was weaker than bonds. This suggests that the government does not see a need to make further adjustments to its tax regime. India exempted institutional foreign investors from capital gains taxes on government securities last week. The move was made to attract more "capital" at a moment when foreign equity outflows are surging, oil prices are high, and the currency is under pressure. South Asia is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world. It ships about...

Mineral Resources

Norsk Hydro declares new force majeure on Qatar aluminium

According to a notice received by?on Saturday, Norsk Hydro declared a second case of force majeure for?aluminum sales from Qatar. This was after the Qatalum joint-venture?had unexpectedly terminated its marketing agreement with Norsk Hydro. Hydro, which holds a?50%?share in the Qatalum project, which produces 648,000 metric tonnes per year, along with Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Co, also known as Qamco issued a force majeure order in early March, after the Middle East war interrupted the gas supply to the plant and Qatalum began a shutdown. The?force majeure clause - which exempts parties from any liability in the event of a failure...

Mineral Resources

Copper prices rebound on optimism about US-Iran Peace Deal

Copper prices rose on Friday as hopes of a quick peace agreement between the U.S.A. and Iran eased concerns about a slowing economy and rising inflation. Benchmark 'three-month copper' on the London Metal Exchange gained 1.6%, to $13,704 per metric ton at 0925 GMT. This ended two days of losses which saw copper reach its lowest level in three weeks. The price of copper fell on Thursday, amid the worst violence between Iran and the U.S. since the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement in April. Prices reversed when U.S. president Donald Trump stated that a peace agreement could be...

Mineral Resources

Gold to lose weekly value as inflation and rate hike fears persist

Gold prices fell on Friday, and were "on track" to make a loss for the week. This was due to concerns about inflation and possible interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0610 GMT the spot gold price was down by 0.8%, at $4,182.47 an ounce. This was a loss of 3.4% for the week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 2.2% to 4,203.60. Gold dropped to a six-month low before closing at $4,219.69 on Thursday, after U.S. president Donald Trump cancelled planned military strikes?on Iran, and announced an imminent peace agreement. Edward Meir is an...

Mineral Resources

ASIA GOLD - India gold demand rises as prices fall; China premiums are reduced

The demand for gold in India increased slightly this week, as jewellery buyers were attracted by lower prices, despite caution. In China however, premiums eased. The price of gold in India fell to its lowest level since April 2, at 146.444 rupees for 10 grams, on Thursday. It is down 1.5% this week. Chanda Venkatesh said that the demand for gold increased after the recent price correction, especially jewellery buyers. Dealers quoted discounts Discounts of up to $35 per ounce, including 15% import duties and 3% sales taxes, compared to last week's discount of up to $87.5. Although jewellers are...

Mineral Resources

Gold to lose weekly value as inflation and rate hike fears persist

Gold prices fell on Friday, and were "on track" to make a loss for the week. This was due to concerns about inflation and possible interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0442 GMT spot gold was down by 0.5%, at $4,193.58 an ounce. This was set to be a loss of 3.1% for the week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 2.5% to $ 4,215.30. Gold dropped to a more-than-six month low on Thursday, before closing at $4,219.69 as U.S. president Donald Trump canceled planned military strikes?on Iran, and signalled a forthcoming peace deal. Edward...

Mineral Resources

Copper prices rise on hopes for Middle East peace and a lower oil price

Copper prices rose on Friday, amid lower oil prices and optimism about a possible peace deal between the U.S.A. and Iran that would end the war. By 0300 GMT, the benchmark three-month contract for copper on?the London Metal Exchange had risen by 1.64% to $13,704 per metric tonne. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract rose 1.5%, to 104960 yuan (15,516.30 USD) per ton. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said Thursday that a "peace agreement" could be signed this weekend and reopen 'the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said, however, that no final decision has been made about a possible...