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North America

Mineral Resources

Investors focus on Middle East and Trump-Xi Meeting as gold prices ease

?Gold prices dipped on Thursday as investors focused mainly?on a?recent development in the Middle East conflict and signals from U.S. president Donald Trump's recent meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. At 9:42 am EDT (1342 GMT), spot gold was down by 0.4% to $4,668.34 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell by 0.7% to $4672.70. The dollar?U.S. The dollar rose 0.1% and made metals priced in greenbacks more expensive to holders of other currencies. Oil prices fell after Iran's official media reported that 30 vessels had recently crossed the Strait of?Hormuz. This report briefly boosted gold prices. Bart...

Energy Markets

Gold prices rise as Trump and Xi meet

The gold price rose on Thursday as investors waited for any signs of a possible resolution to the Iran War. As of 0732 GMT, spot gold was up 0.4% to $4,707.08 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose 0.4% to $4,713.80. The yields on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note have decreased, which has lowered the opportunity costs of gold holdings. GoldSilver Central's Managing Director Brian Lan said, "Gold is consolidating right now as everyone is watching what happens in the high level talks between the U.S.A. and China." Lan said, "I think there is an opportunity for...

Oil & Gas

Mike Dolan: ROI-Fed might have to hike its prices to maintain its credibility

It may not be sufficient to wait out the oil crisis. Federal Reserve officials may have to show that they will take action to achieve their inflation targets, just as European counterparts seem to be determined to do. If that happens, it could be a big deal given what Wall Street forecasters are currently thinking. The crude oil futures for the end of year are at their highest levels since the Iran 'war began, with little evidence of a lasting peace agreement. The latest U.S. April inflation data showed that the damage to?already high prices was escalating. The Fed's target...

Mineral Resources

Gold prices remain steady as Trump-Xi meetings and the Iran war are in focus

The gold?price remained steady on Thursday as investors centered their attention on the?conversations?between a?U.S. The Iranian war was the focus of attention between President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping. As of 0212 GMT, spot gold remained unchanged at $4,688.43 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell 0.2% to $4,695. GoldSilver Central's Managing Director Brian Lan said, "Gold is consolidating right now as everyone is watching what happens in the high level talks between the U.S.A. and China." Lan said: "I think (gold) is also a window for those investors who want to get into metal." Trump...

Energy Markets

Bond yields and global equities are rising with the dollar as US inflation soars

MSCI's global equities index advanced along with the dollar Wednesday as investors?assessed higher-than-expected inflation data, while they waited for a meeting between U.S. president Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Labor Department, U.S. producer price increases were?higher than expected for April and their largest gain since early?2022. The latest economic impact of the U.S. and Israel war on Iran is evident in the U.S. consumer price data, which showed that energy costs have increased the most since 2012. Jim Baird is the chief investment officer of Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He...

Mineral Resources

Gold continues to decline as inflation worries weigh on rate-cut bets

The gold price fell a second time on Wednesday as inflation fears fueled by war weighed on the expectations for interest rate reductions. Markets were also looking forward to the upcoming summit between U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. At 1:59 pm EDT (1759 GMT), spot gold was down by 0.6% to $4,686.35 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures closed 0.4% higher at $ 4,706.70. U.S. Producer Prices increased more than expected in April, posting the biggest gain since early 2020. This is the latest sign that inflation has accelerated amid a 'war on Iran. Peter Grant, senior...

Energy Markets

The dollar and bond yields are rising as US inflation is on the rise. Global equity markets are modestly up with this.

MSCI's global equities index advanced with the dollar Wednesday. U.S. treasury yields also saw a slight increase as investors evaluated hotter than expected inflation data, all while waiting for a meeting between U.S. president Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping. U.S. producer price increases were higher than expected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the Labor Department in April, marking their largest increase since early 2022. The latest economic impact of the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran was evident in Tuesday's U.S. consumer price data, which showed that energy costs accounted for the largest increase in the last...

Crude Oil

Gold drops as US inflation data reduce rate-cut bets

Gold prices fell on Wednesday, following a strong U.S. Inflation data dampened speculation 'of interest rate cuts in the near future. At 0946 GMT the spot gold price was down by 0.4% at $4,694.59 an ounce, reversing a recent three-week high. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery gained 0.3%, to $4702.40. Dollar bullion is now more expensive than ever for those who hold other currencies. Data on Tuesday revealed that U.S. consumer inflation increased further in April. The annual rate posted its biggest gain in three-years, as higher oil prices caused by the U.S./Israeli war against Iran drove costs up....

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...

Crude Oil

NEI: US considers financing billions in parts for nuclear reactors with long lead times

The U.S. Department of Energy has been considering a plan to finance billions of dollars for components of large reactors, which can take years to secure. This was revealed by the director of industry group Nuclear Energy Institute on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Energy is considering a plan to 'finance billions of dollars?for components that can take a long time to secure. The DOE did not respond immediately to a comment request. It's going help several?U.S. "It's going to help several?U.S. utility companies who are interested in AP1000?" deployment, Maria Korsnick said at NEI's Washington conference about the financing...

Energy Markets

FOREX Dollars are rising but not by much, as data is awaited.

The U.S. Dollar extended gains for the second consecutive?session? on Tuesday. This was largely due to the sustained uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, which drove investors towards the greenback in search of a?traditional safe haven?. In March, the greenback rose sharply as oil prices soared after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. The dollar weakened after the ceasefire began on April 7. Donald Trump, who dismissed Iran's proposal Monday as "garbage," threatened to terminate it. The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures its value in relation to a basket major foreign currencies, rose 0.36%, reaching 98.30. The index was at...

Crude Oil

FOREX Dollars rises, but not far from the pre-war levels.

The U.S. Dollar extended gains for the second consecutive session?on Tuesday. This was largely due to the sustained uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, which drove investors towards the greenback in search of a "traditional safe haven". The dollar rose sharply in March, as currencies of oil-dependent economies like?Japan?and the euro zone were heavily sold following the surge in oil prices after Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The greenback weakened after the ceasefire began on April 7. Donald Trump, who dismissed Iran's proposal Monday as "garbage," threatened to terminate it. The dollar is now close to pre-war levels....

Europe

Crude Oil

Markets focus on Trump-Xi Meeting

?Gold was largely stable?on Friday, as investors focused mainly on a meeting between U.S. president Donald Trump and his Chinese equivalent Xi Jinping. They also digested a rise in U.S. prices due to increased energy costs associated with the Iran War. As of 1112 GMT, spot gold was up 0.2% to $4,696.36 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell 0.1% to $4,703.70. China's Xi said that the trade talks are?making good progress? at the beginning of a two day summit on Thursday, but that a disagreement over Taiwan might?damage relationships and even lead conflict? Gold is still hovering...

Mineral Resources

Gold prices rise on weaker dollar as Trump-Xi meetings and Iran war are in the spotlight

Gold prices rose on Thursday as a result of a 'weaker' dollar. Investors were also looking for any signs of progress with the Iran War and focused mainly on talks between U.S. president Donald?Trump & Chinese president Xi Jinping. As of 0440 GMT, spot gold was 0.4% higher, at $4,706.70 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose 0.2% to $4,713.40. Dollar eased making greenback bullion prices more affordable for holders other currencies. GoldSilver Central's Managing Director Brian Lan said, "Gold is consolidating at the moment because everyone is watching what happens in the high level talks between the...

Refined Products

Oil prices rise ahead of Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Oil prices increased on Thursday, as traders remained focused on the Iran war and investors awaited a?meeting?between U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Brent crude futures rose 13 cents or 0.12% to $105.76 a barrel by 0015 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate futures also gained 12 cents or 0.12% to $101.14. Investors were worried about possible interest rate increases in the United States, which led to a decline of both benchmark oil contracts on Wednesday. Brent crude futures dropped?more that $2 per barrel while WTI futures declined more than $1. Trump landed 'on Wednesday night in Beijing...

Western Europe

East Asia

Fossil Fuels

White House: China's Xi expressed an interest in purchasing US oil

During a leadership'summit with Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping stated his interest in buying more U.S. crude oil to reduce China’s dependence on Strait of Hormuz. The readout said that both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz should remain open in order to allow for the free flow of oil and Xi was against any militarization of the strait or tolls. The Chinese summaries published by the state media did not mention oil purchases. China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a comment request. Trump and Xi spent several hours together on Thursday, the first day of a two-day...

Mineral Resources

Markets focus on Trump-Xi Meeting

Gold remained largely unchanged on 'Thursday as investors digested a rise in U.S. Inflation due to increased energy costs associated with the Iran War. As of 0931 GMT, spot gold was up 0.1% to $4,689.79 an ounce. U.S. Gold futures for June delivery dropped 0.2% to $4,696.20. China's Xi Jinping said that the trade talks are?making good progress on Thursday at the beginning of a two day summit. However, he warned that disagreements over Taiwan may?damage relationships and even lead conflict. Gold is still hovering at $4,700 while markets digest the latest U.S. inflation figures. Carlo Alberto De Casa, a...

Energy Markets

Asia markets fall as US inflation and a shaky Iran truce weigh

The stock market started Wednesday's Asian session in a negative mood, as the U.S. inflation rate was higher than expected and underscored the growing economic impact of the Middle East conflict. MSCI's "broadest" index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan fell 0.6% for the second consecutive day, as Korean shares dropped as much as 3.2%. They then recovered. In recent weeks the Korean market has been on fire, breaking records on a rally led by artificial intelligence that some traders believe was due for a correction. Nikkei was down by 0.2% in Japan, while S&P e-mini futures were 0.1% lower. Tony...

Crude Oil

Oil prices continue to rise, and the Iranian ceasefire is 'on life-support'

The dollar rose on Tuesday as the hopes of a deal that would allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz faded. Meanwhile, a hot rally in "chip" stocks cooled down and traders waited for U.S. inflation data. The U.S. president Donald Trump said that the ceasefire agreement with Iran, which had been in place for a month, was "on life-support" after Tehran's reaction to the U.S. plan of ending the war showed how far apart the two sides were. Brent crude futures rose almost 4%, to $108 per barrel. The STOXX 600 in Europe was down by 0.6%....

Crude Oil

As US-Iran negotiations hit a stalemate, stocks fall and the dollar rises

Investors were 'fretted' that the talks between Iran and the U.S. had reached a deadlock, leaving the Strait of Hormuz almost?closed. This sent oil prices back up. Donald Trump, the president of the United States, rejected Iran's response on Sunday to a U.S. proposal for peace talks that would end the war. He said Tehran's requests were "totally inacceptable". Brent crude futures, around 45% more expensive than they were before Israel and the U.S. began their strikes against Iran on February 28th, jumped up to 4.6% over night and closed at $103.75 per barrel, an increase of 2.4% for the...

Crude Oil

Dollar gains, but share futures decline as Gulf talks falter

On Monday, the dollar rose and share futures fell in Asia as signs emerged that the talks between the United States &?Iran had reached a deadlock. This would have effectively closed the 'Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices up. Donald Trump rejected Iran's response on Sunday to the U.S. proposal to hold peace talks in order to end the conflict, calling Tehran's demands "totally unacceptable." Iranian media reported that an Iranian plan sent to Washington stressed the need to end the war on all sides and lift sanctions against Tehran. Bruce Kasman noted that the conflict in the Middle...

Crude Oil

Investors digest US job growth and chipmaker earnings, as well as elevated oil prices.

On Friday, global equities were mixed as new U.S. job data showed growth in the U.S. market. However, consumer sentiment was down and oil prices continued to rise due to ongoing fighting near Strait of Hormuz. European stocks fell, but the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely unchanged. Chipmakers, such as Qualcomm, recovered. Qualcomm was up around 10% while Nvidia rose 2.3%. The price of oil rose again on the Friday following renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, which raised doubts about the ceasefire agreement between Iran and...

Fossil Fuels

China increases retail fuel prices starting May 9.

China announced on Friday that it would raise the price caps of gasoline and diesel, one month after it curbed the price increases. The country is trying to control the inflationary effects of the Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The?country’s state planner announced on Friday that maximum retail gasoline prices and 'diesel will rise by 320 Yuan ($47.05), per metric tonne, as part of an ongoing price review. Retail diesel prices will also increase by 310 Yuan per metric tonne. China is the world's?second-largest consumer of oil. It has a diversified oil supply network and...

Energy Markets

Oil prices rise on Gulf clashes, as AI fuels weekly stock increase

As the U.S. and Iran traded?fires in the Middle East many Asian markets were still on track for stellar gains this week as AI 'demand' swept over chipmakers. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose about 1% in Asia to $101 per barrel, while European stock?futures fell 0.8%. FTSE futures dropped 0.7% while S&P futures rose 0.3%. Sterling remained steady at $1.3575, but traders were wary of Labour Party losses, which could put pressure on Prime Minister Keir starmer. The United States and Iran clashed over the Gulf, and the UAE was again attacked in a test for a month-long truce. However,...

Energy Markets

Oil prices rise on Mideast tensions; AI propels Asian stocks to a sparkling weekly gain

Oil prices rose on Friday, and stocks were slightly lower. The U.S. and Iran were exchanging fire in the Middle East. However, many Asian markets were still heading towards stellar weekly gains as AI demand has swept chipmakers. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose 1.3% to $101.60 per barrel, while European stock futures declined 0.7%. On Thursday, the United States and Iran traded fire in the most severe test of their month-long truce. Iran claimed that the situation was back to normal while the U.S. stated it didn't want to escalate. The President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire which has...

Energy Markets

Stocks edge up, oil prices continue pullback on peace optimism

On Thursday, global stocks mostly maintained their gains - despite the fact that oil prices fell again due to optimism about a U.S. Iran peace deal. Meanwhile, it appeared as if there was no resolution for the Strait of Hormuz. The previous session's highs were maintained on?Wall Street. The?S&P500 was little changed and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.27%. Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.12%. The STOXX Europe 600 index was down 0.37% after a 2.2% jump on Wednesday. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan also hit a new all-time record. Last up 1.75 %. Japan's Nikkei surpassed 62,000...

Crude Oil

Oil falls amid peace optimism as oil trades at record highs

Oil prices sank as stocks rose Thursday amid optimism about a U.S. Iran peace deal. However, the fate of the Strait of Hormuz remained unclear. MSCI's "All-Country World Index" rose by 0.23%, approaching a record high. Europe's STOXX was little changed after a?2.2% jump on Wednesday. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan also rose to an all-time record high. After a long holiday weekend, trading on the Nikkei 225 index resumed. Samy Chaar, chief economist at Lombard Odier, said that while the Middle East situation is uncertain, "the market momentum is moving in a positive direction", and they have taken...