Canada








Energy Markets

Carney promises to reduce the cost of living for Canadians with new majority government and suspends fuel taxes

Mark Carney, the Liberal Party's newly elected parliamentary majority, said that he will focus on reducing Canada's?cost-of-living, addressing a housing shortage and building major infrastructure projects to help Canada's economic independence. Carney, whose Liberal Party won three special elections in Canada on Monday to cap off a remarkable few months, said that he accepts Canada's support with "humility, determination, and a clear comprehension of what this moment requires." Carney's first Liberal majority government in Canada since 2019, should give him more freedom to pass legislation that he believes is necessary for the country to thrive amidst "a divided and dangerous...

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

ROI-Global trade in rude health? McGeever: Yes, with a catch

Global trade doesn't cool in the shadow of tariffs, wars on trade, real wars, and energy shocks. It's heating. How durable is it when the price, and not volume, is what's stoking up the flames? Recent trade data, from the U.S., China and other major economies, shows that cross-border commerce has grown at a faster rate than economists expected. In many cases the price increases were the primary cause of increased activity and surprising export figures. This reflects the spike in inflation caused by the Iran War, particularly on the oil and energy markets. This was especially true in the...

Oil & Gas

ROI-Global trade in rude health? McGeever: Yes, with a catch

Global trade is not cooling in the shadow of tariffs and trade wars. It's heating. How durable is it when the price and not the volume is what's stoking up the flames? Recent trade data from the U.S., China and other major economies show that cross border commerce is growing at a faster rate than economists expected. In many cases the "increased activity" and the "surprisingly strong headline export numbers" were primarily driven by "higher prices". These reflect the spike in inflation caused by the Iran War, particularly on the oil and energy markets. This was especially true in the...

Oil & Gas

TSX falls as gold, technology stocks drag

Canada's main stock index dropped on Wednesday, as gold and technology stocks?came under pressure?while investors viewed developments?around the Middle East conflict and U.S. president Donald Trump's China visit. At 11:03 a.m., the S&P/TSX composite index of the Toronto Stock Exchange fell 0.5% to 34 128.67. ET. It closed Tuesday at its highest level in three weeks. This index is the worst performing on TSX in this?year. It has fallen by nearly 20%. Brian Madden said that the Canadian technology sector was more of a victim than a benefit of artificial intelligence due to a high concentration of software firms. It...

Oil & Gas

Mike Dolan: Red lines of ROI-Warsh concern world finance

Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve chairman, is on his way to the Federal Reserve to "clip the wings" of a bank that he believes has strayed into politics. Many countries are afraid that this will only give the 'U.S. Politicians have more freedom to use financial instruments as a weapon. Warsh, who was nominated by U.S. president Donald Trump in January to succeed Jerome Powell at the helm of the board, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate before Powell's?term ends on May 15th. His confirmation hearing delved into his views on?Fed independence? and a controversial preference to...

Oil & Gas

Canadian retailer Loblaw misses revenue estimates amid cautious consumer spending

Canadian retailer Loblaw missed Wall Street expectations for the first quarter revenue on Wednesday, as consumers become more cautious in their spending amid rising macroeconomic uncertainty. Lower-income Canadians are cutting back on non essential spending due to a squeeze on their household budgets caused by?higher prices for groceries, higher crude oil prices from Iran's war, and increased inflation. Retailers in North America are feeling the pinch. U.S. supermarket Albertsons forecasted soft sales last month, and Canadian discount retailer Dollarama projected a year-end?sales that were largely below expectations. Loblaw continues to expect that its adjusted net income will grow in the...

Oil & Gas

Suncor's profits surpass expectations as increased production offsets the oil market turmoil

Suncor Energy, Canada's largest energy company, beat Wall Street estimates for the first quarter adjusted profit on Tuesday. This was largely due to higher production and throughput volumes. Geopolitical unrest and volatility of global oil prices dominated the?quarter. Prices have risen by more than 87% in this year alone after the U.S./Israeli war against Iran damaged supply chains?and key energy infrastructure. Canadian oil and gas producers have steadily increased output while reducing costs. Suncor, and its peers have outperformed global competitors amid macro-uncertainty due to years' worth of investment. Suncor's quarterly upstream?production increased to?875,000 barrels a day (bpd), from 853,000...

Oil & Gas

World Bank launches new small state strategy to tackle challenges

The World Bank announced a new strategy on Friday that focuses on jobs to help small island states, and other small countries address challenges like remoteness, shock exposure and a limited economic base. World Bank President Ajay Banga spoke about the initiative in a closed door meeting of 50 ministers and governors of central banks from small countries, held during the spring meetings for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. He explained that the idea was to use different tools to help smaller states attract more investment, implement policy and regulatory changes to make it easier to run...

Oil & Gas

Alberta projects C$9.4 billion deficit on lower oil prices

Alberta, Canada's oil-producing province, announced a C$9.4 billion ($6.87billion) budget deficit for the fiscal year 2026/27 on Thursday. This was a violation of its own rules regarding deficit financing. The province blamed lower global crude prices as a major factor in the decline of its resource revenues. Alberta is vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices, which has prompted the government to undertake a 'broad review' of its finances and expenditures, with the aim of restoring budget sustainability over the long-term. Alberta has the third largest oil reserve in the world, Canadian oil sands. Its economy is heavily dependent on the...

Oil & Gas

US Supreme Court will hear Exxon's and Suncor's bid to dismiss Boulder's climate lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy's bid to quash a lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado officials who want to hold oil companies responsible for climate change. The Supreme Court heard an appeal from the companies against a ruling of the lower court that allowed the lawsuit to proceed. The lawsuit alleging violations of state law by the companies seeks unspecified damages for "costs incurred" by Boulder in mitigating climate change. Boulder is just one of the dozens of climate-related cases filed by U.S. states against companies that produce, extract, distribute, or sell fossil fuels....

Oil & Gas

Alberta to hold referendum on immigration control

Alberta will hold a referendum in the fall asking residents whether the government should limit?the number of international students, 'temporary foreign workers' and asylum seekers who?arrive?into the oil-rich Canadian Province. Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith announced the move in a television address on Thursday night. It is an attempt to take control of this important issue away from the federal government. Ottawa is responsible for the majority of immigration policy in Canada, and not the provinces. This is a blow to Canadian unity at a time when the Prime Minister Mark Carney is trying to improve relations with resource-rich western provinces,...

Oil & Gas

TSX sluggish as healthcare and financials drag; Energy gains

The main Canadian stock index was a little subdued Thursday as declines in healthcare and financial shares overshadowed gains in energy stocks. As of 10:15 a.m., the S&P/TSX composite index was down 0.06%, at 33,368.79. ET. Bausch Health, a specialty pharmaceutical firm, fell 4.1% following a quarter-end loss. Healthcare shares were down 1.8%. Wall Street's main indexes fell on Thursday. Heavyweight technology stocks dropped after recent gains. The TSX tech stocks fell by 1.4% after a strong session. Heavyweight Financials fell by 0.8% The TSX Energy Index gained the most, 2%. Oil prices reached a six-month high amid fears of...

Oil & Gas

Project Vault: Ivanhoe to sell Congo zinc in the US

Ivanhoe Mines is in advanced discussions with Congo's Gecamines state miner and Swiss commodities trader Mercuria about channeling zinc-rich concentrates from its giant Kipushi mining to the United States, under Washington's newly developed strategic stockpiling program Project Vault. The deal is part of a larger agreement between the U.S., and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the area of minerals. Washington is intensifying its battle with China for control of Africa's vast mineral deposits. Project Vault, a $12 billion supply chain security programme launched by the U.S. on Monday and backed by private capital of $1.67 billion and a U.S....

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Anglo American sells Australian coal mines up to $3.88 Billion

Anglo American announced on Monday that it would sell its steelmaking mines in Australia for up to?to $3.88billion to UK-based Dhilmar. The move will exit the sector and reduce debt, as well as streamline assets ahead of an upcoming merger with Canada's Teck Resources. London-listed Anglo is selling mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin - the world’s leading steelmaking coal region - as part of the company's plan to 'divest or spin-off' non-core assets before completing its merger with Teck Resources, which will create a heavyweight copper focused firm. The company stated that the deal includes $2.3 billion in cash upfront...

Fossil Fuels

Mike Dolan: The stress of the long-term bond issue in the G7 is intensifying.

The rise in government borrowing costs over the long term is not slowing down, and there are more aggravators every day. If you have been enthralled by the gravity-defying markets of this year, then look no further for where stress is growing in world markets. The debt, oil, inflation and interest rate risks, combined with the domestic political and geopolitical uncertainties, as well as the waning demand from the private and public sectors for long-term bonds, have pushed borrowing costs in the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies to their highest level in over 20 years. According to ICE Bank...

Nuclear Power

The head of the IEA warns that energy markets are heading into a 'troubled sea' as a result of the Iran war.

Fatih Bibil, the head of the International Energy Agency said that the 'war' in Iran continues to drain'millions' of barrels of 'oil every day. Brent oil futures fluctuated between $96 and $102 per barrel on Thursday, following mixed reports of an interim deal to end the war and possibly reopen Strait of Hormuz. This key trade chokepoint has been closed since the conflict began at the end of Feb. Birol warned that such volatility is likely to continue, and that the supply would return gradually once the war ended. He said that oil security would still be a major issue....

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Sources say that Barrick Mining is considering a London listing while it negotiates the sale of its Africa business.

Two sources with knowledge of the matter said that Barrick Mining is evaluating a London listing for its African operations. A potential?all-share?transaction?with UK-listed Endeavour Mining was one option being considered. Sources said that discussions are in an early stage, and there has not been a decision made. They added that it is uncertain whether a deal would materialise, and no announcement was expected soon. Market capitalization could reach $30 billion for the combined entity. Barrick and Endeavour mining?didn't comment. One source said that one scenario was being considered, whereby the Canadian listed miner would keep its Toronto listing and become...

Mineral Resources

Trump wants to increase the N American content of autos to 82% with half coming from US

Four people familiar with U.S. negotiating positions said that the Trump administration wanted to increase the'regional content' in North American built vehicles to 82% in order to qualify for preferential trade treatment under the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. In the expansive demand that was unveiled at the Mexico City negotiations this week between the United States and Mexico, no parts content from Canada is included in the totals. The sources claim that Canada was not present at the Mexico City negotiations. If accepted, the shift would be a major departure from the USMCA which currently requires that 40% of "core...

Mineral Resources

Agnico Eagle will redevelop Hope Bay in Canada's Arctic.

Natural Resources Canada announced on Tuesday that Agnico Eagle, a Canadian mining company, will begin the?redevelopment? of the Hope Bay Mine located in Canada's remote Arctic. According to the website of Agnico, which is the second largest gold miner in the world by production, it acquired the Hope Bay Mine located 'in the northern territory Nunavut' when it purchased Canadian miner TMAC Resource in 2021. The mine suspended production in the year following to conduct exploration work on the site. The company said that the mine could produce 400,000 ounces gold per year. Natural Resources Canada announced that Agnico will...

Mineral Resources

Anglo American sells Australian coal mines up to $3.88 Billion

Anglo American announced on Monday that it would sell its steelmaking mines in Australia for up to 3,88 billion pounds to UK-based Dhilmar. The move is part of Anglo American's strategy to exit the sector and reduce debt, as well as streamline assets, ahead of a planned merger between Teck Resources, Canada, and Anglo American. Anglo, listed in London, is selling the mines located in Queensland's Bowen Basin - the world's leading steel-making coal region - as part of its plan of divesting -or spinning off - non-core assets before completing the merger between Teck Resources and Anglo that will...

Mineral Resources

Cubans are frightened by the US's plans to indict Raul Cuba

The U.S. plan to indict Cuba's former 'leader Raul Castro for the downing humanitarian planes 20 years ago increased tensions in the island Friday. This comes as the country is struggling with its worst crisis in decades due to severe fuel shortages. Indicting the '94-year old'revolutionary icon' would be a major step in the Trump administrations pressure campaign on Cuba. The Trump administration has been describing the communist government of Cuba as corrupt and incompetent, while pushing for change. Cuba has not yet commented directly on the threat to indict, but Bruno Rodriguez, Cuba's Foreign Minister, expressed his defiance Friday....

Mineral Resources

Wall Street Journal, May 14,

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy. Cerebras Systems' initial public offering in the United States was priced at $185 per share, which is above the upper end of their indicated price range. - 'Chip startup Fractile announced that it raised a $220 million Series?B funding round led by Accel, Factorial Funds and Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund. Cisco Systems will cut?thousands? of jobs in order to?increase artificial intelligence? in its business. The National Football League has signed a four-year contract with Netflix to license three...

Mineral Resources

Equinox Gold acquires Orla Mining for $18.5 billion to create a gold producer

Equinox Gold announced on Wednesday that it would purchase Orla Mining as part of a 'all-stocks deal' to create a North American Gold Producer?worth $18.5 billion. Orla Mining's U.S. listed shares rose?3.4% during premarket trading. Gold prices have soared to record highs, boosting cash flow and improving access to capital for miners. This has encouraged them to increase their reserves and expand their presence in mining regions that are safer such as Canada and United States. Calculations show that Orla shareholders will receive a nominal cash payout for each share they hold, and one Equinox common stock. The transaction is...

Environment

Sigma Lithium fined by Brazilian inspectors for using prohibited waste pile

In a press release, Brazilian labor inspectors fined Sigma Lithium after they found that the company had deposited waste into a pile which was closed because it posed a "grave" and "imminent" risk to workers and local residents. Inspectors discovered that despite three Sigma waste piles being closed last December, trucks continued to deposit waste on one of them. Sigma did not respond immediately to a comment request. The largest lithium producer in Brazil announced that it would resume mining at its flagship Grota do Cirilo Mine despite the piles having been shut down. When the piles closed late last...

Mineral Resources

US sanctions Cuban mining and military conglomerate

The United States imposed financial sanctions on Thursday on a conglomerate of businesses run by the?Cuban military and a joint venture between Cubans and Canadians in the mining industry. This comes as the Trump Administration intensifies its pressure on Cuba's communist leadership by targeting foreign investment sources. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has commented on the January military raid that was conducted to capture the leader of Venezuela's longtime ally Cuba. Cuba is next" and blocked most oil deliveries to the country. This worsened power outages in the island. Trump signed an executive directive last week that broadened U.S. Sanctions...

Mineral Resources

Sources: Barrick Contractor to leave Mali and lay off 600 people

Three sources claim that the largest contractor of Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Complex in Mali has closed operations and laid off more than 600 employees. This is a new sign the Canadian miner wants to reduce its exposure to high-risk assets. Sources familiar with the situation said that the move was prompted by a sluggish investment and production at the complex. Barrick had taken control of the complex from Malian administrators after a standoff over taxes and ownership. First and second sources said Barrick did not intend to renew its contract with Gounkoto Mining Services in 2026. They added that...

Mineral Resources

Argentina Mining Chamber urges an extension of investment incentives

The head of Argentina's mining chamber said Thursday that the flagship investment incentive program for large projects, which currently has a 2027 deadline, should be extended. He argued the program was key to unlocking billions in planned investments. Roberto Cacciola said that the Incentive Regime for Large Investments, or RIGI, has helped to attract capital into the mining sector. The RIGI offers tax, currency, and legal stability advantages for projects valued at more than $200,000,000. Cacciola suggested that the scheme be expanded to include smaller projects which are important in creating jobs and supporting local supply chains. Cacciola told the...

Pollution

Bosnian town searches for answers after hundreds of people test positive for lead

In 2024, a new mine producing silver, barite, and lead opened in the mountainous central Bosnian town of Vares. After decades of economic devastation, new roads, houses, and cafes were built. The population of the small town Vares, in central Bosnia, grew with new workers and residents. Blood tests in recent months have shown that more than 300 residents living near the mine are exposed to lead. Some of these levels are high, alarming the locals and putting the future of the town into question. Four Bosnian environmental agencies have filed criminal charges with the Zenica Doboj cantonal prosecutor's office...