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Energy Markets

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

Asian stocks rise as investors focus on tariff negotiations and earnings

Investors took note of the tariff negotiations between America and its trading partners, while Asian stock markets remained near their four-year high on Tuesday. They were buoyed up by Wall Street's record closing high in advance of a series of corporate earnings. After a weekend election in which the ruling coalition lost in the upper house elections but Prime Minister Shigeru ishiba pledged to stay in his position, the Japanese markets have returned to activity. Japanese shares briefly rose at the opening before trading modestly higher. Bonds had a muted response as the results of the elections were already priced...

Crude Oil

European stocks are mixed as they await more U.S. inflation figures

Investors were cautious on Wednesday as European stocks were mixed after U.S. data from the previous session suggested that tariffs are causing inflation. This led investors to reduce their bets for rate cuts, and tariff-related uncertainties kept them cautious. Wall Street fell on Tuesday night and U.S. Treasury rates rose as U.S. Consumer Price Data for June showed higher prices for certain goods. The U.S. Tariff Threats also affected the market sentiment, after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that letters informing smaller countries about their U.S. Tariff Rates would be sent out shortly. Trump announced on Saturday that he...

Crude Oil

Dollar soars as Fed rate cuts bets are lowered, causing Asia shares to struggle

The Asian stock market was under pressure Wednesday, while the dollar rose to its strongest level against the yen in early April. This is after U.S. Inflation suggested that tariffs were pushing up prices, reducing expectations of Federal Reserve policy ease. The yield on U.S. Treasury bonds reached its highest level in over a month. This lifted the dollar, especially against the yen. Tech shares, however, remained resilient after a 4% rise in the artificial intelligence darling Nvidia over night. Brent crude has remained at $69 per barrel. The data released on Tuesday shows that U.S. consumer price rose by...

Crude Oil

Dollar soars as Fed rate cuts bets are lowered, causing Asia shares to struggle

The Asian stock market was under pressure Wednesday, while the dollar rose to its strongest level against the yen in early April. This is after U.S. Inflation suggested that tariffs were pushing up prices, dampening expectation for Federal Reserve policy ease. The yield on U.S. Treasury bonds reached its highest level in over a month. This lifted the dollar, especially against the yen. However, tech shares remained resilient following a 4% rally in artificial-intelligence darling Nvidia overnight. Brent crude has remained at $69 per barrel. The data released on Tuesday shows that U.S. consumer price rose by 0.3% in the...

Crude Oil

Stocks rise ahead of important US earnings and data as trade talks loom

On Tuesday, shares rose worldwide and the dollar retained most of its gains from July as investors entered a crucial week that will include U.S. earnings data, inflation figures and trade negotiations in a fairly optimistic mood. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened to impose 30 percent tariffs on Europe and Mexico starting August 1, which is higher than the 20 percent he originally proposed for the EU in April. Trump, however, said that he would be open to more negotiations, despite investor predictions of lower final tariff levels. Japan is also trying to schedule high level talks with the...

Crude Oil

Gold and stocks rise after Trump imposes tariffs on Canada

Global stocks dropped on Friday as U.S. president Donald Trump escalated his tariff war against Canada. This left Europe in the firing lines, causing a modest investor move into safe havens like gold. The Canadian dollar dropped after Trump sent a late-night letter on Thursday stating that a 35% tax rate would be applied to all imports coming from Canada starting August 1. A letter was expected to be sent by Friday to the European Union. The U.S. President, whose global tariff wave has disrupted businesses and policymaking, proposed a 15% or 20% blanket tariff rate for other countries. This...

Crude Oil

As investors digest Trump's latest trade tariffs, stocks edge higher and the Brazilian real rises.

Investors weighed the latest trade announcements by U.S. president Donald Trump on Thursday. The Brazilian real recovered from its losses after Trump announced a 50% tariff for goods coming from Brazil. Trump confirmed late Wednesday that a 50% copper tariff will be implemented, with effect from August 1. The last time U.S. Copper prices rose on the day was late Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Brazilian real's volatility gauges reached their highest level since late April and the real fell as much as 2,3%. The dollar fell by 0.4% last Thursday against the real while Brazilian stocks dropped about 0.7%. Brazilian...

Crude Oil

Investors unfazed with Trump's tariff moves, Asian shares are up on Nvidia.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday on the back of optimism following Nvidia's rise to a record $4 trillion valuation. Investors also shrugged off President Donald Trump's recent tariffs. U.S. Copper Futures increased their premium over the London benchmark overnight, after Trump announced his plans to impose 50% tariffs on copper. Later, on Wednesday, he said that the tariffs would be in effect from August 1. Trump's trade anger also turned against Brazil on Wednesday, as he issued notices of tariffs and threatened a 50% punitive tariff on Brazilian exports to the U.S. The recent moves have not caused much of...

Crude Oil

Dollar steady, stocks up as ceasefire boosts confidence

On Wednesday, stocks rose and crude oil remained close to multi-week lows as investors viewed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran and reinvested in riskier assets. They also brushed aside any immediate concerns about an energy crisis. Lower oil prices lowered the inflation risk for bonds. Israel has said it will take strong action against Iranian missile attacks that followed after U.S. president Donald Trump declared an end to hostilities. According to an initial U.S. Intelligence Assessment, the U.S. airstrikes didn't destroy Iran's nucleonic capability, but only pushed it back a few months. This contradicts Trump's previous comments that...

Crude Oil

Oil prices drop as shares rise, markets ignore Iran conflict

The global equity markets rose on Monday, despite a drop in oil prices. However, they still traded at multi-month highs. This was because markets ignored the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to support an Israeli military offensive. All of Wall Street's major indexes traded higher. Nine out of eleven of the benchmark S&P 500 sectors also advanced. The session's biggest losers were energy equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.17%, to 42279.55. The S&P 500 gained 0.48% at 5,996.40. And the Nasdaq Composite grew 0.61% at 19,565.74. European shares fell by 0.2%. Overnight, MSCI's broadest...

Crude Oil

Investors rush to safe havens as oil prices spike after US bombs Iran's nuclear sites

Investors said that a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites could trigger a knee-jerk response in global markets upon their reopening, sending oil costs higher and triggering an exodus to safety. They were assessing how this latest escalation would affect the global economy. The attack announced by Donald Trump via the social media website Truth Social deepens U.S. participation in the Middle East conflict. Investors were considering a variety of market scenarios as they headed into the weekend. They expected that the U.S. involvement would cause a selloff of equities, and possibly a bid for the dollar or other safe-haven...

Crude Oil

Dollar up, stocks down as Middle East War sparks safe-haven trade

The dollar rose and global stocks fell on Thursday as investors sought perceived safe havens amid growing concerns about possible U.S. participation in the Israel-Iran war air battle, which has fueled a rise in oil prices this week. Donald Trump, on the geopolitical side, kept the world guessing as to whether the United States will join Israel in its bombardment of Iranian nukes sites. He told reporters outside the White House, "I may do this." I may or may not do it." Central bankers have been forced to make a flurry decisions as a result of Trump's unpredictable approach on...

Environment

Power Markets

Green hydrogen retreat threatens emissions targets

Around the globe, green hydrogen developers are cancelling their projects and reducing investments. This could lead to a longer-than-targeted reliance on fossil energy. The sector's initial goals have been exposed as being unrealistic due to the challenges it faces. Green hydrogen is prohibitively expensive for industries that are hard to electrify, like steelmaking and long distance transportation. Jun Sasamura is the hydrogen manager for Westwood Global Energy. He said that the gap between European ambitions and actuality shows the magnitude of the industry's reset. He said that only a fifth (or less) of all planned hydrogen projects in the European...

Climate Change

Toxic algae bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, tourism

Peter Malinauskas, the state premier, called Tuesday's massive algae bloom off South Australia a "natural catastrophe" because it has destroyed hundreds of marine species and affected local tourism and fishing. According to environmental officials, the algal bloom was first detected in march and covers an area of 4,500 square kilometers (1,737 square mile). It has also been aggravated due to rising ocean temperatures. Malinauskas, a national broadcaster for ABC News Breakfast, said that "over 400 different marine species have died or been affected by this algal bloom." This is a natural catastrophe and it should be recognized as such. Malinauskas...

Environment

Australia's South32 manganese production recovers after cyclone and beats expectations

South32, a diversified Australian miner, reported on Monday higher manganese ore output in the fourth quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, after resuming exports from its Australia manganese operation following storm delays. Groote Eylandt mining Co (GEMCO), a project of the company in Australia's Northern Territory, was hit by severe storms early in 2025. It made it difficult to restart production after a tropical-cyclone had damaged vital infrastructure at the site a year earlier. The company released a statement saying that "Australia Manganese successfully recommenced export shipments in the third quarter, marking an important recovery from the effects caused by Tropical Cyclone...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Former Australia PM: US should focus on economic relations to compete with China.

Scott Morrison of Australia, who testified at a U.S. Congress hearing on countering China, urged the U.S. "to double down" on their economic engagement in Indo-Pacific, where Beijing has asserted influence. Morrison, speaking on Wednesday, said that economic security was the primary focus for many countries in Southeast Asia. U.S. leadership and Western investment give the region a choice. He said that when China was active in a country, it wasn't the U.S. and other allied interest that should be absent. Instead, they should double down on their efforts to be present even more to give them that choice. Morrison...

Mineral Resources

Argentina rejects Ganfeng Lithium but approves Galan Lithium as part of its incentive scheme

The Argentine government approved the $217 million project by Australian miner Galan Lithium in Catamarca for a new incentive program called RIGI. However, it rejected a bid from China's Ganfeng to build its Mariana lithium project. Why it's important Last year, the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) was implemented as part of President Javier Milei’s efforts to encourage investments in the troubled economy. The RIGI offers benefits such as tax breaks and access international dispute courts for eligible projects. Global mining companies have been watching closely to see if the scheme will encourage investment in the copper industry that...

Mineral Resources

New Ghana mining legislation will shorten the licence period and boost community investment

Ghana will shorten the duration of mining licenses and require direct revenue sharing with local communities as part of its most comprehensive mining law reforms since nearly 20 years. Details were announced on Wednesday by a government ministry. The planned overhaul is part of a wider trend in West Africa where governments are rewriting their mining codes to maximize the value from rising commodities prices. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana, said that the changes - which include scrapping the automatic renewal for some licences – will only apply to future contracts. This is...

Mineral Resources

Germany provides Vulcan Energy with 104 million Euros to produce clean Lithium

Vulcan, a start-up, has received 104 millions euros ($122million) from the German government to produce clean Lithium, the company announced on Tuesday. Berlin is aiming to increase electric vehicle production and reduce its reliance on imported raw materials. Vulcan said that the grants issued by both the Federal Government and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse will be used to support a project "designed for building Germany and Europe's crucial raw materials supply chains resilience". According to the German Raw Materials Agency, Germany's demand for lithium could reach 170,000 tons per year by 2030. The country's automotive industry relies on...

Coal

China's coal prices have again reached their daily limit after a discussion about government mine inspections

The prices of coking coal in China reached their maximum for the second consecutive session on Tuesday amid market talk about possible government inspections at China's main coal production hubs, which could lead to supply disruptions. The Dalian Commodity Exchange's most active China coking-coal contract jumped almost 8%, reaching its highest price in March at 1,048.5 Yuan ($146.19). Simon Wu, senior consultant at Wood Mackenzie, stated that a document purporting to be from National Bureau of Energy, calling for inspections of coal mines in 8 provinces, to determine if production exceeded licensed capacities, played a role in the rise in...

Mineral Resources

BHP exits $2.5 billion Tanzania nickel project, partner Lifezone says

BHP Group chose to sell to Lifezone Metals its stake in the $2.5 billion Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania for up to $83 million. Lifezone, a company listed on the NYSE, said that it would acquire BHP’s 17% equity stake in Kabanga Nickel Limited. KNL is the majority owner in the Kabanga Nickel Project located in the northwestern part of Tanzania. In a report released by the company on Friday, development costs were estimated at $2.49billion. The project is expected to produce around 50 000 metric tons per year once it has been fully ramped-up, which will take about six...

Mineral Resources

BHP exits $2.5 billion Tanzania nickel project, partner Lifezone says

BHP Group chose to sell to Lifezone Metals its stake in the $2.5 billion Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania for up to $83 million. Lifezone, a company listed on the NYSE, said that it would acquire BHP’s 17% equity stake in Kabanga Nickel Limited. KNL is the majority owner in the Kabanga Nickel Project located in the northwestern part of Tanzania. In a report released by the company on Friday, development costs were estimated at $2.49billion. The project is expected to produce around 50 000 metric tons per year once it has been fully ramped-up, which will take about six...

Mineral Resources

US Commerce Dept. sets anti-dumping duty of 93.5% on Chinese anode Graphite

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Thursday that it would impose preliminary antidumping duties of 93.5 percent on anode grade graphite imported to the U.S. after concluding the materials were being sold at a lower price than their fair market value. The Commerce Department's fact sheet, seen by, shows that all Chinese producers have a single antidumping margin of 93.5% and a cash deposit rate at 93.5%. Commerce reported that the order will affect imports worth $347.9 million by 2023. The duties are applicable to anode grade graphite materials with a minimum graphite purity of 90% by weight. They can...

Mineral Resources

Argentina's mining exports will top $5 billion by 2025, despite lithium struggles. Industry body claims

The president of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies, CAEM, predicted that Argentina's mining exports would exceed $5 billion by 2025. This is up from $4.6 in 2024. Roberto Cacciola, in an interview with he said that the main mining exports of Argentina, gold and silver, would remain the same or even decline slightly by 2025, due to the maturation process for mining projects. However, the rising prices would make up the volume decrease. Cacciola stated that the mining exports could reach $5 or $5.2 billion this year. He said that he expected the opposite for lithium. He expects a...

Mineral Resources

Copper prices fall as concerns about disruptions subside and inventories increase

Prices of copper fell on Wednesday, as concerns about supply disruptions eased and inventories increased amid uncertainty over the impact of U.S. Tariffs. The benchmark three-month price of copper at the London Metal Exchange fell 0.4% to $9,610 per metric tonne at 0945 GMT. This is down from a peak reached on July 2 that was just above $10,000. Nitesh Sha, commodity strategist at WisdomTree, said that there haven't been additional supply disruptions pushing prices higher on the different exchanges. One of the protest leaders said late Tuesday that the blockades had been lifted in Peru, which is the third...

Mineral Resources

Australian Prime Minister Albanese promises to work with China regarding excess steel capacity

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Monday that he is committed to working with China in order to reduce global excess capacity of steel during a business meeting between leaders from both countries. Albanese, in his opening remarks to the meeting, said: "We need to work together as both countries collaborate to advance decarbonisation and also to address global excess capacity of steel." It is in the interest of both countries to have a global steel industry that is sustainable and driven by market forces. China's strong steel exports have partially offset a faltering domestic demand. A growing...

Mineral Resources

First Quantum: Prospect investment is key to Zambia copper growth

Anthony Mukutuma, FQM’s Country Director in Zambia, said that the recent investment by First Quantum Minerals in Prospect Resources was key to extending mine life at Sentinel Mine. In April, the Canada-based company invested 15% in Prospect and became the largest shareholder of the Australia-listed exploration firm. Prospect is exploring Mumbezhi, a copper project located about 30 km (19 miles) away from FQM’s Sentinel Mine. FQM is a key partner in Mumbezhi exploration. Mukutuma said that the mine life for Sentinel is currently 12 years. FQM has been studying ways to extend this, he added. Mukutuma stated that initial exploration...