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Energy Markets

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

Gold and stocks rise as investors wait for Trump tariff clarity

The global stock market rose on Tuesday, following Wall Street’s overnight gains. Gold reached a record high and Treasury yields dropped as markets waited for details about U.S. president Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. The Japanese yen and Swiss franc held steady as demand for traditional safe-haven assets increased. The risk-sensitive Australian Dollar also rebounded, after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept interest rates unchanged, as expected, while warning of a "pronounced" uncertainty in the global economy. Investors anxiously await April 2, the day Trump has called "Liberation Day", where he promises to reveal a massive tariff plan. The Office of...

Crude Oil

Gold reaches record highs on US tariffs, while Asia stocks fall

Asian stocks dropped on Friday, with South Korea and Japan seeing heavy selling. Meanwhile, gold reached a new record high after the latest tariff salvo by U.S. president Donald Trump raised investor fears of a full-blown trade war. Trump has moved forward with a 25% auto import tariff that will kick in next Monday. This move has drawn fierce criticism from politicians, industry executives and car manufacturers around the world. Trump's escalation of the global war on trade that he started upon regaining power has shocked the markets. Shares of automakers around the world have been hit especially hard. In...

Crude Oil

Trump's auto tariffs cause a drop in stocks and a rise in gold

The European stock market fell on Thursday, and Wall Street is expected to open lower as shares of some of the biggest automakers in the world tumbled following U.S. president Donald Trump's announcement on new tariffs for auto imports. Trump announced 25% tariffs for all foreign-made vehicles and auto parts imported to the United States late Wednesday night, causing heavy losses overnight in Japanese and South Korean stock markets. After the bell, U.S. automobile manufacturers lost ground. General Motors shares fell 6% while Ford shares dropped almost 5%. This was due to concerns over the impact of their supply chains....

Crude Oil

As traders consider Trump tariffs, stocks gain and the dollar falls

The U.S. Dollar remained a bit erratic as markets awaited clarification on President Donald Trump’s trade policy in advance of the next round of tariffs. The White House gave traders some hope that they could get some flexibility after Trump announced on Monday that some levies wouldn't be collected by the deadline of April 2, and certain countries would receive breaks. He did not provide any further details. Trump also opened a second front in his trade conflict by directing 25% secondary tariffs to any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela. This initially drove oil prices up, but was...

Crude Oil

Dollar drifts away from futures markets as they sail towards tariff storm

The financial markets started the week with a mixed bag. U.S. stocks futures rose, but the dollar weakened ahead of the coming week. This was due to data, Chinese earnings as well as the threat of steep U.S. Tariff hikes. S&P 500 Futures rose about 0.6% and Nasdaq100 futures increased 0.8% in the morning Asian session. Japan's Nikkei climbed 0.2% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose about 0.2% Early trade saw the euro rise 0.2% to $1.0835, after a slight drop last week. The Turkish lira is on the edge of a cliff in emerging markets as investors are uneasy...

Crude Oil

Turkish assets plunge after Wall Street selloff

The European share market fell on Wednesday following a Wall Street sell-off overnight. Meanwhile, the dollar rose from its five-month low in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's rate decision later that day. Turkish bonds, stocks and the Turkish lira have all fallen, while Turkish authorities detained The main political rival of President Tayyip Erdoan on Wednesday was his main rival. The pan-European STOXX 600 Index was down by 0.1% last session after having risen for three sessions in a row, thanks to the boost from Germany's overhaul Spending more money on infrastructure and defence is a way to get around...

Crude Oil

Gold reaches record levels as tariffs threaten to raise the price of gold.

Asia shares rose Friday, and global markets tried to rebound after a brutal sale earlier in the week. Gold reached a new record as investors became nervous due to the latest escalation in global trade tensions. After Senator Chuck Schumer announced that he would vote for a Republican funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, he signaled his party's support. U.S. Stock Futures were a strong response. Nasdaq futures gained more than 1% in one instance and S&P futures advanced by 0.6%. FTSE Futures also gained 0.3%. DAX futures rose 0.6%. Alvin Tan is the head of Asia FX Strategy...

Crude Oil

The global stock market barely changed as trade war uncertainties dominate

Investors were less concerned about the impact of U.S. trade policies on global markets as a result of data showing a lower inflation rate in the U.S. The oil prices are aiming for their second consecutive day of gains following data on stockpile increases, while the euro has retreated slightly from its five-month high set the day before on the hopes that a ceasefire would be reached between Ukraine and Russia. The U.S. Department of Labor released data on Wednesday showing that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures prices in the United States, rose 2.8% annually in February. This...

Crude Oil

Euro surgrise on Ukraine ceasefire proposals, tariffs squeeze stock

The euro reached a five-month-high on Wednesday, as Ukraine was ready to accept a ceasefire lasting a full month. Meanwhile, stocks were swayed by the back and forth of U.S. tariffs plans and concerns about an economic slowdown in the U.S. European equity futures jumped by 0.8%, and FTSE Futures climbed 0.3%. This was after the U.S. announced it would resume military aid to Ukraine and share intelligence with Ukraine following Kyiv's acceptance of a U.S. proposed ceasefire. Russia has not yet responded. In New York, the euro reached its highest level since October at $1.0947. It remained steady at...

Natural Gas Utilities

Woodside's investment decision in Louisiana LNG could slip into Q2, according to CEO

Meg O'Neill, the CEO of Woodside LNG Australia, said on Monday that the company may delay a final decision on the Louisiana plant's liquefied gas project until the second quarter 2025 if talks to sell the half of the project continue. Woodside is looking to sell up to 50% of the project. The company has been reported to be in discussions with several buyers, including Tokyo Gas and Japan's JERA. O'Neill stated in an interview conducted on the sidelines an energy conference held in Houston, "We want confidence in our partners and a sell-down that is adequate." The goal is...

Crude Oil

Stocks and Treasury yields fall as Trump's interview fuels concerns about growth

MSCI's global equity gauge fell 1.7% on Monday after hitting a two-month-low earlier in the day. U.S. Bond yields also dropped, as investors became concerned about an economic slowdown following Donald Trump's refusal to rule out a recession related to tariffs. Investors began seeking safety even as early as the Sunday after Trump, in an interview with Fox News, talked about a "period transition". He declined to predict if his tariffs against China and Canada would lead to a U.S. economic recession. Robert Pavlik is a senior portfolio manager with Dakota Wealth, in Fairfield, Connecticut. He cited concerns about tariffs,...

Crude Oil

Euro up as stocks rise after Trump delays some auto tariffs

The stock market rose sharply Wednesday, after U.S. president Donald Trump agreed that tariffs on certain vehicles made in North America would be delayed for one month. Meanwhile, the euro reached its highest level in four months versus the U.S. Dollar. The White House stated that the president reached an agreement following a phone call with the CEOs from General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Tariffs imposed by the United States on imports of goods from Canada, Mexico, and China came into effect on Tuesday. The stock market was volatile in the morning, but then turned sharply upwards by afternoon. "It...

Environment

Environment

Australian Senator wields dead Salmon in Parliament to protest against farming laws

A senator from Australia pulled out a dead, large fish on Wednesday in Parliament to protest proposed government laws protecting controversial salmon farms located in an inlet listed as a national heritage site in Tasmania. The bill is currently being debated in the Senate. It is expected that it will pass during the last days of the government of Anthony Albanese, before the general elections due to be held by May. Sarah Hanson Young, a Greens Senator, criticized the bill in parliamentary question period on Wednesday. She accused the government "gutting" the environmental protections for a "toxic and polluting salmon...

Environment

Paladin Energy's production forecast withdrawal has resulted in a nearly 2-year-low for the uranium miner.

The shares of Australia's Paladin Energy fell on Wednesday, reaching their lowest level in almost two years. This was after the company retracted its production forecasts for fiscal 2025 citing operational disruptions at its flagship Namibian mine. According to the company, the temporary operational stop at Langer Heinrich Mine was due to a "rainfall event that occurs once every fifty years." The ASX-listed miner's shares fell 9.1% in early trading to A$5.81. This is their lowest level since May 2023, and they are the worst performing stock on the benchmark index. Paladin stated that the weather conditions in Namibia caused...

Environment

Shares of Australia's Paladin Energy fall after heavy rains stop uranium mine in Namibia

Paladin Energy, an Australian uranium company, announced on Friday that it temporarily suspended operations at its Langer Heinrich Mine due to heavy rains in Namibia. This sent its shares to a record low of over a week. Paladin stated that the severe weather has caused access to the mine to be severely restricted and all activities suspended. The Langer Heinrich Mine, which is owned by 75% of the company, is an important contributor to its production. As of 2339 GMT the shares of Australia's largest pure-play uranium mining company fell by as much as 8,9%, reaching their lowest level since...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Kazakh miner Solidcore reports profit increase on high gold prices

Kazakh gold miner Solidcore said Monday that high gold prices and growth in sales have almost doubled their net profit by 2024. However, they warned of the impact sanctions on concentrate delivery to Russia will have on first-quarter revenues. Solidcore (formerly Polymetal International) is the second largest gold miner in Kazakhstan. It expects to produce 487,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2025. In 2024, the company sold off its Russian assets after U.S. sanctions were imposed on its business in Russia in response to Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine. About 70% of the group's output and 50% of its core earnings...

Mineral Resources

Japan Q2 Aluminium drops to $182/T due to weak demand, sources

Six sources involved in the pricing discussions said that the premium for aluminium shipped to Japanese buyers from April to June is $182 per metric ton. This is a 20% drop compared to the current quarter as domestic demand remains weak. This is a lower figure than the $228 paid per ton in January-March and marks the first quarterly decrease in five quarters. However, it is still below the initial offers made by global producers of $245-$260 per ton. Japan is the largest Asian importer for premiums and light metals For primary metal shipments, it agrees to each quarter pay...

Mineral Resources

Australia's resource and energy export earnings are expected to be affected by the lower US dollar

The government announced on Monday that Australia's mining exports and energy earnings will fall by 6% during the current financial year, as the prices of iron ore are falling. The Department of Industry stated in its quarterly resource and energy outlook that profits are expected to fall from A$415bn to A$387bn ($243bn) due to the "impact of lower U.S. dollars prices on our energy and resource exports". The decline forecast was less than the 10% predicted in December. The report stated that "further modest declines in earnings are expected over the five-year forecast", with the amount of A$343billion remaining constant...

Mineral Resources

Gold Road Resources, Australia's Gold Fields rival, has beaten Gold Fields to a record high.

Gold Road Resources shares reached a new high on Tuesday. This was a day following the rejection of Gold Fields' $2.1billion acquisition offer, which they deemed to be a significant undervaluation. Gold Road Resources stock rose as high as 15.5%, reaching a record-high of A$2.830 in the morning. As of 0145 GMT, it was trading at a 13.9% gain. Gold Fields made an offer to the Australian explorer on Monday after market hours, which it rejected because it was "highly opportunistic". Gold Road's offer would have paid A$3.05 per share ($1.92) to Gold Road shareholders. This year, gold miners have...

Mineral Resources

Gold Fields' $2 billion offer to buy Gold Road Resources is rejected by Australia's Gold Road Resources

Gold Road Resources, a South African company that competes with Gold Fields in the mining industry, has refused a buyout offer of A$3.3 billion (2.07 billion dollars) from its larger competitor. Gold Road's shareholders would have received A$3.05 for each share under Gold Fields offer made earlier in the month. This represents a premium of 24.5% over Monday's closing prices. Gold Fields' offer was to consolidate ownership of the Gruyere Gold Mine in Western Australia. This joint venture between Gold Road and Gold Fields. Gold Fields, a South African gold miner, said that despite subsequent discussions it was disappointed by...

Mineral Resources

James Hardie shares fall on AZEK's $8.75 billion purchase

Finances reach two-week high James Hardie's worst session for nearly a full year Losses from miners and consumers By Roushni Nair March 24, 2019 - Australian shares finished flat on Monday, as gains in financials countered losses in mining. Meanwhile, building materials company James Hardie fell after it announced its agreement to purchase U.S. artificial flooring maker AZEK at $8.75 billion. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index edged up by 0.07% to 7,936.9 point. Financials rose by over 1% to their highest level for two weeks. The 'Big Four" banks increased between 0.5% to 2.5%. Henry Jennings is a senior analyst...

Mineral Resources

Australia is the top destination in mining listings

Sources in the industry said that Australia's bourse will see a record number secondary listings from mine developers attracted by the country’s pension wealth, regulations and a jurisdiction that is less exposed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Industry figures show that the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), which is based in Sydney, has been gaining market share among its rivals from Toronto and London, despite the fact that the mining and metals sector must expand by $100 billion per year by 2050 to meet the demand for metals to achieve net-zero emission levels. The overall listing numbers at the...

Mineral Resources

James Hardie offers $8.8 billion for US building products maker AZEK

James Hardie Industries, a fibre-cement manufacturer in the United States, announced that it will acquire AZEK Company for $8.75 billion (including debt) through a cash and share deal. The company is looking to increase growth by offering new products to homeowners. AZEK shareholders receive $26.45 cash and 1.034 James Hardie share for each AZEK shares, bringing the value per share to $56.88, a 37.4% increase over AZEK’s Friday closing price. In a joint press release, Hardie and AZEK stated that the board of directors at AZEK had recommended accepting this offer. AZEK produces wood decking and pergolas, as well as...

Mineral Resources

Palliser's proposal to review Rio Tinto is backed by ISS, a proxy advisory firm

Institutional Shareholder Services urged Rio Tinto's shareholders on Tuesday to accept a proposal that would review the dual-listed structure of the miner, amid pressure by activist Palliser. Palliser urged Rio Tinto to merge its two primary listings in London and Sydney into one holding company. The dual-listed structure, Palliser argued, has caused shareholders to lose billions of dollars and is the reason for its stock trading at a lower price than its peers. ISS, a prominent advisory firm in the proxy industry, now recommends that shareholders vote to support Palliser’s non-binding Resolution for the Company to Review the Matter on...

Mineral Resources

Indian minister: India-New Zealand Trade Pact will significantly boost relations

India's Commerce Minister said that a proposed free-trade agreement with New Zealand would significantly strengthen bilateral ties. He suggested that trade could increase 10-fold within ten years. After a ten-year hiatus, India and New Zealand resumed FTA negotiations following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Christopher Luxon from New Zealand, who was visiting India. At a meeting of business leaders, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the deal could increase trade ties for farm products, essential minerals, pharmaceuticals and tourism. The talks are being held against the backdrop of rising global trade tensions after U.S. president Donald Trump...

Mineral Resources

AVZ Minerals, Australia's lithium mining company, wins legal victory in Congo against Congo

AVZ Minerals, an Australian company, announced on Friday that it had won a court case against the Democratic Republic of Congo and China's Zijin Mining for the rights to the Manono Lithium Mine. It is now in negotiations with U.S. parties about raising funds for the project. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ordered DRC state-owned Cominiere, to pay a fine of 39.1 millions euros ($42.46million) for failing to comply with orders earlier to cease any action terminating its joint enterprise with AVZ. AVZ originally held the permit for the development of the Manono Project,...

Mineral Resources

Data shows that UAE aluminium exports jump ahead of Trump's tariffs.

The United Arab Emirates exported aluminium to the United States in the first eleven days of March. This was due to buyers stocking up on shipments before U.S. Tariffs went into effect on Wednesday. The UAE has exported 68.560.29 tons of aluminum to the U.S. so far in March before tariffs were imposed, compared with 16,124.88 tons for the whole of March 2024. Exports are at their highest level in nearly two years on a monthly scale. The President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs for all U.S. imports of steel and aluminum with the aim of strengthening domestic production....