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By Mike Dolan April 1st - Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets, explains what matters today in U.S. markets. The word "off ramp" has been the buzzword this week in relation to the Iran War. And the steep Wall Street rally that took place on the last day of the first-quarter spoke of this relief on Tuesday. Will April's'skies clear'? The S&P's jump was the largest one-day gain in the past year. Below, I'll explain more. Check out my most recent column about how cash beat all classic safe-havens in March. Warren Buffett will tell you why. Listen...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Stocks and bonds are gaining momentum as investors hope for a de-escalation of the 'Iran War. But, if we pay attention to the date today, will the market fool itself again? Stocks are soaring after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States could halt its military strikes on Iran in two to three weeks, and that Tehran was not required to reach a settlement as a condition for the conflict to end. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan soared by...

Analysts and traders said that Chinese independent smaller?refiners will 'cut crude processing rates' in April due to the'sharp rise in oil prices sanctioned by the United States and a still low fuel demand. Teapot refiners have benefited from low-cost Russian and Iranian crude in recent months. However, temporary U.S. waivers that allow the purchase of Russian or Iranian oil that is stranded on sea for 30 day has pushed prices sharply higher, as buyers rush to secure supplies, particularly Indian refiners. Sun Jianan, senior analyst at Energy Aspects, predicted that run?rates of teapot refineries would fall to 50% after recovering...

Five industry sources familiar with the matter said that China will extend its ban on refined fuel exports until April. However, exemptions may be made for small volumes of fuel bound for countries in the area who have requested assistance. Three sources confirmed that discussions were underway for the shipment of limited quantities of diesel, jet-fuel and gasoline to Southeast Asian nations in April. Three sources stated that the permitted exports for April could reach up to?150,000 in metric tons. Two other sources suggested it could be as high as 300,000 tons. The sources declined to name themselves as they...

By Mike Dolan March 30th - Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets, explains what matters today in U.S. markets. The markets are still not convinced that an end to the Middle East conflict is imminent. Oil prices surged again on Monday, and global stock indexes started off with a rough start. Over the weekend, any hopes for a near-term deescalation of the conflict were dashed as Iran-affiliated Houthi?forces?in Yemen joined in the conflict. President Trump also suggested that U.S. soldiers 'could?take Kharg Island - Iran's main oil-export hub. Washington's signals remain mixed with Trump still praising the prospects...

Investors piled into a long-running Gulf conflict, which has already seen oil prices rise to a record level. This will lead to a surge in inflation and a risk of recession for much of the world. Pakistan said it was preparing "meaningful discussions" to end the conflict over Iran within the next few days. This is despite the fact that Tehran has accused Washington of preparing a land attack as the U.S. Military builds up its forces in the area. Financial Times, late Sunday, quoted Donald Trump as saying that the U.S. might seize Kharg Island, where Iran exports most...

South Korea's stock market has become Asia's most volatile due to the Iran war. Fears of massive value destruction are probably unfounded, but the panic is real. The benchmark KOSPI index dropped over 18% in the two days following the start of the conflict on February 28. This was its worst ever daily drop. The next day, it recovered almost 10%. The market has been struggling with volatility for more than three weeks. The 'KOSPI' is partly to blame for its own success. It had risen sharply in the year before the conflict began, and was up more than 100...

Tom Westbrook gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Donald Trump, U.S. president, told reporters in the White House that "we're currently in negotiations". He boasted about the Iranians making a "tremendous amount of money" concession. However, he did not provide any?further information. He said, "It was an incredibly nice thing they did." Iran has not confirmed the claim, and an official Iranian news agency reported that a spokesperson for the armed forces said that "the U.S. was negotiating with itself". The tone of the speech has caused oil to fall and stocks...

Oil prices rose and stocks were on tenterhooks on Tuesday, as investors worried about the Middle East war were not satisfied with President Donald Trump's decision to postpone the bombing Iran's electricity grid. U.S. Treasury Yields increased and the dollar regained ground in a retracement of a relief rally that swept the markets overnight, after Trump extended his Saturday ultimatum to Iran for it to reopen Strait of Hormuz by 48 hours. Trump cited "productive" discussions Tehran. There was a lot of uncertainty as the world continued to deal with an energy crisis, while Iran denied having engaged in any...

The world markets reversed their course quickly on Monday, after U.S. president?Donald Trump announced that he would 'order the military to delay?any?"military strikes" against Iranian power stations and energy infrastructure. This eased uncertainty and fears over the consequences of a greater oil shock. Brent crude oil futures dropped sharply. The dollar fell against major currencies. Stock markets rallied. Government?borrowing rates fell. "Trump's five-day pause has triggered a?sort of TACO? movement in the markets, where all prices have moved lower and rates are rallying," said Evelyne GomezLiechti. Trump stated that the postponement was a result of productive discussions with Iran. Gomez-Liechti...

By Mike Dolan March 23rd - Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets, explains what matters today in U.S. markets. Stocks and bonds have plummeted around the globe as the Middle East conflict intensifies. President Trump's deadline of 48 hours for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz expires on Monday. Trump has threatened to "obliterate' Iran's main?power plants, if Tehran doesn't comply with the demand. Iran said it would respond by attacking energy and water plants?across Gulf. The war is now in its fourth week and there are no signs of a de-escalation. The opposite is true. Below,...

Global shares fell on Monday, while U.S. Bond yields reached their highest levels in eight months as the U.S. traded escalating threat with Iran and Israel prepared for "weeks" of more fighting. This sent oil prices into another roller coaster. Iran said on Sunday that it would attack the water and energy systems of its Gulf neighbours if U.S. president Donald Trump carried out his threat to strike Iran's power grid within 48-hours. This ended any hope for an early end to this war, which is now in its 4th week. Trump said Iran has two days to open the...

The copper price rose on Wednesday, reaching its highest level in the past two weeks amid hopes that the Iran war may be nearing an end. Open-outcry official trading on the London Metal Exchange saw benchmark three-month copper rise 0.2% to a metric ton of $12,365 after hitting $12,492.50 - its highest level since March 18. This was copper's fourth consecutive session of gains. However, it is still far below the record high of $14,527.50 that was reached on January 29, 2017. Ole Hansen is the head of commodity strategy for Saxo Bank, Copenhagen. "The market wants us to believe...

Iron ore futures prices increased on Wednesday. This was due to the positive factory data and hopes that stimulus measures in China, the top consumer of iron ore, could brighten up demand. After a 0.8% decline on Tuesday, the most traded iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange closed daytime trading up 0.12% to 812 yuan (118.14 dollars) per metric ton. By 0751 GMT, the benchmark May iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was up 0.64% at $106.15 per?ton. China's factory output expanded at its fastest rate in a year in March. This was a relief to an economy...

Prices of iron ore futures rebounded Wednesday on the back of upbeat factory data, and expectations that China's top consumer could take a?stimulus measure to brighten demand prospects. As of 15:00 GMT, the most-traded contract of iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange climbed 0.62%, to 816 Yuan ($118.55), a metric tonne, after a 0.8% drop the previous day. By 0145 GMT, the benchmark May iron ore contract on Singapore Exchange was up 0.68% at $106.2 per ton. China's factory output grew at its fastest rate in a full year in March. This was a relief to an economy that...

Aluminum prices rose on Tuesday. They were near their four-year highs and poised to make the biggest monthly gain since?almost 2 years. This was due to fears that a supply shortage would continue after Iranian strikes over the weekend damaged some of the Gulf's key smelters. The benchmark 'three-month' aluminum on the London Metal Exchange increased 2.1% by 1600GMT to $3,471.50 per metric ton, after earlier reaching $3,536, which was its highest level since March 12. Metal prices are up 10.6% in March. The attacks on Iran damaged two aluminum plants in the Gulf region operated by Aluminium Bahrain, and...

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter reportedly said on 'Tuesday that Tether had?let go? two senior precious metals trader?it hired only three months earlier from HSBC. El Salvador-headquartered Tether cut the roles as spot gold prices headed for their steepest monthly drop since the 2008 financial crisis, pressured by fading expectations of rate cuts and rising energy costs amid the war in ?Iran. Tether holds about 130 metric tonnes of physical gold backing their products by the end of 2025. CEO Paolo Ardoino told in January that they also planned to allocate 10-15% of their own investment portfolio to...

After easing restrictions, India allowed some state-owned firms, including Bharat Heavy Electricals and Steel Authority, to purchase critical equipment in China. Last month, it was reported that India would ease restrictions on purchasing Chinese equipment after a deadly border clash in 2020. This would allow state-run coal and power companies to import limited quantities of Chinese equipment as shortages and project delays increased. Since then, India has also relaxed investment restrictions on China. The government order stated that Bharat Heavy Electricals, India's largest power equipment manufacturer, can now purchase 21 types of critical equipment from China under the new rules....

Iron ore futures were in a narrow range on Monday as investors weighed the impact of high energy prices, a rise in steel demand in China's top consumer against high portside stocks. As of 0219 GMT, the?most-traded contract for iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was up 0.37% to 815.5 Yuan ($117.84). As of?0209 GMT, the benchmark May iron ore price on the Singapore Exchange had not changed much. It was $106.05 per ton. The price of a key ingredient in steelmaking has been supported by rising energy costs, but they have not been impacted much by the 'immediate...

Prices of copper and aluminium fell on Friday as U.S. president Donald Trump extended the deadline for striking Iran’s energy plants. Markets appeared skeptical?about the prospects?of an agreement?between the two sides. In official open-outcry trade, the benchmark three-month price of copper at the London Metal Exchange fell by 0.3% to $12,115 per metric tonne. Since the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran began on 28 February, copper, which is widely used for power and construction has fallen by 9%, threatening economic growth and causing inflation. Macquarie analysts stated in a research report that "prices lack fundamental support, and are expected...

Iron ore futures were higher on Thursday due to a concern over the supply of iron ore from Australia, following the closure of key ports in the Pilbara region because of a cyclone. The most-traded May iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 0.18%, to 817 Yuan ($118.40), per metric ton. As of 0711 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was trading at $107.35 per ton. The operator of the iron ore port said that the key ports were closed on Thursday due to a tropical storm which struck the resource-rich Pilbara region. Pilbara...

France is one of the countries that will invest in critical Australian minerals projects, according to Australia's Resources Minister on Thursday. Canberra's framework agreement with the U.S. encourages nations with advanced manufacturing industries to secure access to supply. Australia is on a mission for the past four years to create an industry that will produce?minerals? like rare earths, which are essential to technologies in future such as electronics and defense. Countries want to diversify away from China as their dominant supplier. Australia signed agreements with Japan, South Korea and India as well as France, Germany, Britain, France and Germany for...

After a brief dip in prices, copper prices fell on Thursday. This was due to rising'stocks' and weakening consumer demand, particularly in China, the world's largest consumer. Investors were also waiting for clarity about the possibility of ceasefire?in the Middle East. Benchmark 'three-month' copper on the London Metal Exchange dropped 1.17% to $13,177 per metric tonne by 0341 GMT, after finding some help from a weaker dollar the previous day. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract was down by 0.03% to?95.160 yuan per ton ($13.789.31), after reaching its highest price since March 19, at 96.590?yuan. The red metal,...

Iron ore futures rose Thursday on concerns about disruptions in Australian'supply due to ports being closed in the Pilbara area following a cyclone. As of 0226 GMT, the most-traded contract for?May?iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was trading 0.31% higher. It cost 818 yuan (US$118.45) per metric ton. The benchmark April Iron Ore on the Singapore Exchange rose by 2.15% to $107.45 per tonne. Pilbara Ports announced on Thursday that the ports at Ashburton and Cape Preston West were closed due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle. This has led to concerns about iron ore supplies from Australia, which is the...