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United Steelworkers union remains 'unalterably against' US Steel-Nippon agreement
The United Steelworkers told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that it is "unalterably opposed" to a $15-billion bid from Japan's Nippon Steel for U.S. Steel or any deal which would give Nippon power over the company. USW President David McCall wrote to Bessent late on Monday, saying that the union didn't believe any of the mitigations proposed during the initial Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review (CFIUS), which was conducted on the deal. McCall's letter to Nippon Steel Corporation, which was seen by McCall in its entirety, stated that "we remain unalterably against the acquisition of United States Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation." Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McCall stated that the union's concern had grown since former president Joe Biden blocked this deal in January. He noted that Nippon was continuing to engage in practices which fueled global overcapacity, including by holding 1 million tons in China via joint ventures. He said that in a previous administrative review of Non-Oriented Electric Steel from Japan, the U.S. Commerce Department assigned Nippon a preliminary tariff rate of 205% this month. McCall stated that Nippon appeared to be preparing to divest certain U.S. Steel Assets and failed to commit in multiple meetings to maintain production at plants located in Pennsylvania's Mon Valley and elsewhere. Donald Trump, the U.S. president who assumed office for the second term on January 20, stated that he "wouldn’t mind" Nippon Steel taking a minority stake U.S. Steel. This implied he would want to overhaul the deal structure. Last month, he asked CFIUS to review the U.S. Steel all-cash offer to determine whether "further actions" were appropriate. Trump has said repeatedly that he doesn't think a foreign firm should control U.S. Steel. The two companies say they are working with his administration closely to "secure an important investment." (Reporting and editing by Andrea Shalal)
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Investors assess Trump's comments about Fed chief as stocks jump and dollar inch up
The dollar edged up on Tuesday, even as investors assessed U.S. president Donald Trump's criticisms of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. The yields on U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds fell after rising on Monday. Investors were also closely watching the first-quarter results of U.S. firms. The shares of 3M Co, an industrial conglomerate, rose 8% following the company's first-quarter earnings beating expectations. However, it also noted that tariffs would likely affect its 2025 profits. Bloomberg reported that U.S. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that a tariff standoff between the United States and China is unsustainable. He expects that the situation will de-escalate. Trump intensified his criticism of Fed chair Jerome Powell, calling him a'major loser' in a Monday social media post. This raised concerns over Trump’s influence on the central bank, and increased concerns about U.S. financial stability. Investors are concerned that the White House may try to replace Powell by someone who will lower rates. Trump stated last week that he believed Powell would leave his position if Trump asked him to, despite Powell's own statement. Although it is not clear whether Trump has the power to fire Powell. However, lawsuits filed by Trump over other firings are being monitored as possible proxy. Stocks are down overall, but this is not a "fire sale" where you should get rid of all your stocks. Oliver Pursche is senior vice president and adviser at Wealthspire Advisors, Westport, Connecticut. All of the soft data (economic data) are declining, but the hard data continue to be strong. Investors are struggling with this, he said. Investor confidence is already shaken by Trump’s constant back and forth announcements about tariffs. They are worried that this could cause a severe disruption to world trade, as well as hurting the economy. The International Monetary Fund slashed their growth forecasts on Tuesday for the United States and China, citing U.S. Tariffs that are now at 100-year levels. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 882.96, or 2.32 %, to 39,053.37. The S&P 500 gained 118.58, or 2.30 %, to 5,279.14. And the Nasdaq Composite gained 425.76, or 2.58%, at 16,296.66. Tesla shares, which are due to announce quarterly results after closing bell, have risen by 5.8%. Apple and other mega-caps were also up, with Apple gaining 3.6%. Coinbase Global shares rose 8.3%, as bitcoin continued its recent gains. Bitcoin's last gain was 4.07%, at $90 887 19. The MSCI index of global stocks rose by 11.73 points or 1.50% to 794.84. The pan-European STOXX 600 ended the day up 0.25%. The dollar has recovered slightly, but is still near its multi-year lows against the euro and Swiss franc. The dollar index (which measures the greenback versus a basket including the yen, the euro and others) rose by 0.49%, to 98.83. However, the euro fell 0.68%, to $1.1435. The dollar gained 0.28% against the Japanese yen to reach 141.24. The dollar and yen had earlier reached a seven-month peak. The dollar gained 1.01% against the Swiss Franc, a safe-haven currency. Analysts noted that the dollar is still fragile, despite concerns about the U.S. tariffs. Gold reached a new all-time record of $3,500.05 in the morning, due to the recent weakness of the dollar and the demand for safe havens. Gold spot was down last by 0.83%, at $3396.43 per ounce. Oil prices rose as a result of new U.S. Sanctions against Iran, and rising stock market. U.S. crude oil rose by 2.85% to $64.88 per barrel. Brent increased to $67.77 a barrel, an increase of 2.28%. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. notes dropped 1.4 basis points from late Monday to 4.391%.
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Phillips, a Democrat, resigns as a member of the US Energy Regulatory Panel
Willie Phillips resigned as a Democratic Commissioner on the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday. This opened the door for Donald Trump to nominate a new member, giving the five-member commission a Republican majority. The resignation of Phillips, whose term had been set to go through June 30, 2026, allows Trump to nominate a Republican who would likely be easily confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Trump's focus is on increasing oil and gas production and opening pipelines that will bring gas from Pennsylvania into the U.S. Northeast. New York politicians blocked the Constitution Pipeline, which would have transported gas from Pennsylvania. It's unclear what Trump can do to make the pipeline work. Politico reported Monday that Phillips had told the publication that he was already planning to resign even before the White House requested him to do so. The White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. In a press statement, Mark Christie, the Republican Trump appointed as FERC chairman on his first day of office in his second-term, said: "We will miss his presence here at FERC." "I wish him, his family and future success. I'm confident that he will be successful no matter what career path he chooses." (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell; Timothy Gardner)
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Chile advances lithium projects on three salt flats
The mining ministry announced on Tuesday that the Chilean government is moving ahead with a simplified procedure to award contracts for lithium in three salt flats. The agency announced that it had accepted applications from Eramet for the Agua-Amarga salt plain; Eramet, Quiborax and the state-copper giant Codelco for the Ascotan Salt Flat; and the Caliche Kairos Consortium for the Coipasa Salt flat. The leftist president Gabriel Boric has introduced a plan that will increase state control of lithium, which is a key metal in electric vehicles and energy transition in 2023, and create public-private partnerships in order to expand this industry. Plan included state-controlled joint enterprise between Codelco, the largest lithium miner in the country, and SQM. It also included opening up of other salt flats to development. The mining ministry announced on Tuesday that if the applicants are in agreement, the contract would be signed once the indigenous consultations have been completed and all other conditions of the CEOL (a special permit for lithium mining) are met. The statement stated that "public bidding processes would be initiated if this is not the case, as it was with the Ollague Salt Flat in the Antofagasta Region, Piedra Parada, and Laguna Verde, in the Atacama Region." To qualify for an expedited process, the parties must demonstrate ownership of a mining concession, financial capability, and experience in the mining industry or value chain. A statement noted also that Codelco's dialogue with indigenous communities to modify an CEOL on the Maricunga Salt Flat had ended. The statement stated that "all that is left to do is publish the closing resolution which will include all 11 agreements that were reached with the six community participants in the process." (Reporting and editing by Alexander Villegas, Alistair Bell and Fabian Andres Cambero)
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US defense contractors largely maintain forecasts despite Trump Tariffs
The major U.S. defence contractors have mostly maintained their financial forecasts through 2025. They say it's too early to know the impact of U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs. Lockheed Martin, America's largest defense company, confirmed its projections for the coming year, thanks to a resilient demand for fighter jets and missile systems. Northrop Grumman, on the other hand, said that its profit margins could shrink, but it stuck to its sales forecast, showing some confidence in spite of trade tensions. Northrop CEO Kathy Warden said to analysts that she did not believe there was a significant risk for the company at this time. We're going monitor that closely, and we're taking action now to account for and minimize the risks we do see. RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon Technologies) broke ranks and expressed concern over the potential loss of $850 million due to new tariffs on metals, China, and other countries. This divergence shows the different impacts of trade policy across the commercial and defense aerospace sectors. RTX is a large aerospace company that manufactures jet engines and interiors. As with other industries with complex manufacturing, the defense industry is also grappling with potential trade war effects. This situation has put pressure on an already stressed supply chain and forced companies to reassess strategies and cost structures. Despite these challenges the sector continues benefiting from an increase in global demand for weaponry, fuelled by the Russian War in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. This increased demand has helped to offset some of trade dispute uncertainties. RTX's concern shows that the industry isn't immune to trade pressures. It also highlights the interplay complex between economic policies, international relations and defense spending. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested in a social media post on April 7, that a higher U.S. Defense budget would benefit contractor revenues and provide some stability and growth despite an uncertain economic outlook. Trump's review, which aims to ease restrictions on military equipment export, could boost revenue for U.S. contractors. This comes at a time when some allies are reconsidering the reliance they have on U.S. military equipment because of trade tensions and changing geopolitical relationships. The European Union is planning to strengthen its own defense capabilities by 2030 to reduce its reliance on the U.S., which could mean that companies outside of the bloc will have a smaller role. Northrop Grumman reported a 49% decline in its first-quarter profits and missed sales targets. The U.S. contractor also booked losses on the B-21 stealth aircraft program due to increased manufacturing costs. This sent its shares down by 12%. Lockheed's first-quarter profits were higher, which boosted shares by more than 2%. Lockheed's quarterly earnings per share, which came in at $7.28, beat Wall Street analysts' expectations of $6.34. Collins Aerospace (RTX's aerospace and avionics division) posted an 8% increase in revenue, reaching $7.22 billion, in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Pratt and Whitney, which produces engines for Airbus A320neo aircraft, saw sales grow 14%. Raytheon's defense division, RTX, reported a 5% drop in sales from the previous year, mainly due to its divestiture of cybersecurity, intelligence, and services businesses completed last year. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel in Washington)
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Bank of America shareholders approve executive compensation and elect directors
Bank of America shareholders approved pay packages for CEO Brian Moynihan, the lender's top executive and elected 14 directors to the board on Tuesday. Institutional Shareholder Services, a proxy adviser, had advised investors to vote against the payouts. They expressed concerns over the process that was used to determine the compensation. Moynihan's earnings for the last year increased by about 21%, to $35 million. The board of directors credited him for increasing the company's net income by 2.3% and revenue by 3.4% last year. Moynihan stated that any impact the tariffs will have on the bank is indirect, depending on the effects of a trade conflict on the economy. He said: "The impact on our Bank will be the economic impact of trade war... so, if you think that consumption drops and that results in a reduction in force of employees that would increase unemployment rate." Earlier this month, the administration of Donald Trump announced, and then paused, tariffs on dozens countries, throwing global economic uncertainty. Moynihan said that his bank's economists do not expect a recession in this year. However, they believe the Federal Reserve won't cut rates due to the sticky inflation. A question regarding the Trump risk Sacked Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that an independent central banks is important to U.S. consistency. Trump intensified his criticism of Fed chair Powell, calling him a'major loser', in a post on social media made Monday. This raised concerns over the president’s influence over central bank. BofA shareholders voted also on other management-related proposals but rejected each individual shareholder proposal. The board was asked to report annually on its lobbying activities and its efforts to influence policy in relation to its 2030 targets for sectoral emission reductions and its 2050 target of net zero emissions. BofA has Joined other major U.S. Banks In recent months, the Net Zero Banking Alliance has been one of the top climate coalitions for the banking sector in the world. BofA's first-quarter profits surpassed expectations as its interest income increased and volatile stock markets helped their traders make a record haul. (Reporting and editing by Margueritachoy, Saeed Azhar, Arasu Kanagi Basil)
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Republican Senator asks RFK Jr.
Shelley Moore Capito, a West Virginia Republican senator, asked Robert Kennedy Jr. of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday to reinstate programs that protect coal miners who have received layoff notices. Capito, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, has said that the work of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a Division of HHS, was critical for her coal-producing State and did not duplicate any government program. HHS announced mass layoffs of NIOSH employees on April 1. This included around 875 out of the 1,000 strong workforce. About 500 employees from Morgantown, West Virginia worked on developing products to protect coal miner and running a surveillance program for detecting cases of black lung, which are on the rise throughout central Appalachia. I am worried that RIFs will undermine vital health programs for so many West Virginians. In a letter to RFK Jr., she urged him to immediately bring back NIOSH workers so that they could continue to support the nation's coal industries. She told me that she met RFK Jr. recently, and he agreed with her that NIOSH is unique. The cuts to NIOSH are removing important federal protections for miners who are more susceptible to black lung disease due to exposure to silica. NIOSH has suspended a program that was in place for decades to detect lung diseases among coal miners. The NIOSH has also suspended related programs that provided x-rays at mine sites and lung tests. The loss of NIOSH staff has also affected the ability of black lung infected miners to receive relocation with pay under the Part 90 program. Capito warned HHS that it will begin decommissioning labs in the near future, including those located in West Virginia, and this would cost taxpayers thousands of millions of dollars. She said that restarting the labs would add to costs. She wrote: "I do believe that the President's vision of right-sizing our government will achieve this goal, but I don't think eliminating NIOSH coal research and programs will accomplish this goal." (Reporting and editing by Mark Porter; Valerie Volcovici)
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Argentex suspended shares after margin calls triggered by volatility
The shares of British currency management company Argentex, which is based in London, were suspended on Tuesday. Argentex said that the sharp drop in the U.S. Dollar had caused a serious deterioration in its liquidity. Argentex, a financial firm that has been hurt by recent market turmoil, announced it was evaluating a variety of options to help the company. The global markets have been volatile this month as President Donald Trump’s tariff policy has increased uncertainty about the economy. In a filing to the stock exchange, "Argentex was exposed to significant volatility of foreign exchange rates. As a result, (it) experienced a rapid impact on its short-term liquidity position," it said. This was due in part to margin calls related to its FX options and forward books. The company has a market cap of 69 million dollars and said that it was supported by its main liquidity provider. It also stated that they were looking to improve their position. If the volatility of currency markets increases materially in the future, the financial position of the company will be severely strained if it is not bolstered in the near-term. Argentex stated that it was particularly exposed to the "rapid devaluation of the U.S. Dollar against other major benchmark currency." According to LSEG, the dollar is at its lowest level in three years compared with a basket major currencies. It's also on track for its worst first-four months performance in 50 years. Analysts believe that the decline in the stock market is due to global investors selling U.S. investments because they are worried about the health and economy of the United States. Argentex's website describes it as "a global expert in currency risk and alternative banking". It offers its clients payment services and strategies to hedge their currency risks. The shares of the company were suspended on February 2, but they have already logged a 50% gain in 2025.
Tech depression knocks Asia shares, yen towers at 2-1/2- month peak
Asian shares were hammered on Thursday as a slump in international tech stocks sent out investors getting away into less risky properties, including shortdated bonds, the yen and Swiss franc.
Chinese stocks were provided little support after the nation's. central bank sprang a surprise cut in longer-term rates, adding. to a current rush of stimulus steps.
The sell-off in stocks saw investors increase bets on rate. cuts worldwide, with futures implying a 100% opportunity of a Federal. Reserve alleviating in September. A spike in market volatility. fuelled a vicious squeeze on bring trades which saw the dollar. sink another 0.6% to 152.85 yen on Thursday.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside. Japan lost 0.7%, while Japan's Nikkei. tumbled 2.9% and South Korea's KOSPI dropped 2%. Taiwan's markets were closed for a 2nd day due to a. typhoon.
Chinese blue-chips pared previously losses to be. down 0.1%, although the Shanghai Composite index was. still off 0.3%, hitting five-month lows.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.6%, finding. little support from Beijing's latest easing action.
On Wall Street, the Nasdaq lost almost 4% - the. worst one-day fall since 2022 - as drab Alphabet and Tesla. revenues weakened investor confidence in the already lofty. assessments of the Splendid Seven stocks.
That contributed to current market volatility, with Wall Street's. fear gauge jumping to a three-month high. Investors. searched for the security of cash and super-liquid short term financial obligation,. with U.S. two-year yields striking their most affordable in nearly 6. months on Wednesday.
In early Asian trade, Nasdaq futures rebounded. 0.4% and S&P 500 stock futures increased 0.3%.
Traders have actually played outright defence, as the saturated and. well-owned tech position continues to be unwound, said Chris. Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.
We can also include a continuous unease around China's development. trajectory, very bad PMIs in Europe and a bearish opinion piece. from ex-New York Fed member Expense Dudley, and investors and. traders derisked and de-grossed portfolios.
The other huge mover in Asia was the safe-haven yen, up 0.6%. to the strongest in 2-1/2 months. It rose 1.1% over night, with. the upward momentum intact ahead of the Bank of Japan's conference. next week where policymakers will debate whether to raise. interest rates.
The Swiss franc also rose 0.7% overnight.
Short-dated bonds rallied over night, supported by comments. from Bill Dudley, a previous president at the New york city Fed that. the central bank needs to cut rates, ideally at its policy. fulfilling next week.
The yield on two-year Treasuries fell 4 basis. points overnight and was last stable at 4.4121%.
Markets are completely pricing in a quarter-point rate cut from. the Fed in September, with even some risk for a 50 basis point. cut. For all of 2024, a total easing of 65 basis points has actually been. priced in.
The rate cut expectations are getting very elevated the. exact same way as they were in 2015, stated Andrew Lilley, chief. rates strategist at Barreyjoey in Sydney.
My worry is that the market is getting ahead of the. economic data since we have actually seen formerly that these. short-term dips in inflation have not been sustained.
Certainly, advance U.S. gdp data is due. later Thursday and is forecast to reveal growth getting to. an annualised 2% in the second quarter. The closely enjoyed. Atlanta Fed GDPNow indicator points to development of 2.6%,. suggesting some threat to the advantage.
In product markets, gold fell 0.9% to $2,375.92 an ounce .
Oil prices ticked lower and held near six-week lows on. stress over a slowing Chinese economy crimping need.
Brent futures fell 0.4% to $81.81 a barrel, while. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also dropped. 0.3% to $77.33.
(source: Reuters)