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Australia announces first new oil and gas acres in many years
The Australian government released on Thursday its first offshore oil and natural gas acreage available for auction since 2022. The five areas are located in the Otway Basin, offshore of?Victoria in Commonwealth waters. They were announced a day after?the Victorian Government offered state waters for companies to bid on. In 2020, over 40 areas - most of them in the north - were put up for bids. By 2022, there were only 10. Canberra hopes that the offer will prevent a future shortage of gas on Australia's east coast. Madeleine King, Resources Minister, said: "Exploration will be key to meeting our commitments of net-zero energy and supporting Australian industry and households." The Otway Basin is considered an old oil and gas basin, not a new one. It has infrastructure such as pipelines and onshore processing plants where any new gas finds can be connected. Australia is about finish its gas market review. It aims to correct shortfalls on the domestic east coast while continuing to export liquefied gas from the east coast. ConocoPhillips, along with its junior partner 3D Energi, announced a discovery of gas in the Otway last week. They have since begun drilling the second 'well' as part of their exploration campaign. The U.S. firm has a stake in one of three LNG export consortiums in Queensland that are being reviewed by the Australian government. Samantha McCulloch CEO of Australian Energy Producers, a lobby group for oil and gas producers, said: "This week we have seen a welcome recognition by the Victorian and Federal governments that continued exploration is crucial to maintaining a pipeline of gas supply project to meet our long term energy needs." The companies can now bid for the land with applications closing in June of next year. Helen Clark, Thomas Derpinghaus and Helen Clark contributed to this report.
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Thyssenkrupp will close electrical steel plants as Asian imports threaten additional 1,200 jobs
Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit announced that it would temporarily stop production of electrical steel, a material key to wind turbines and electricity grids. It blamed 'cheap imports' from Asia, which it warned were putting an additional '1,200 jobs in danger. According to industry sources, the move was previously unknown and highlights the struggles Europe's steel industry faces in the face global trade frictions which have forced Chinese competitors to sell surplus capacity on the continent at a lower price, even by a quarter. Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, Europe's second largest steelmaker, has already cut or outsourced 11,000 jobs as a response to the crisis. Talks about a possible sale to India's Jindal Steel International have reached a critical'stage'. The total number of job losses would increase to 45% from 40%, bringing the TKSE workforce down to a little over 45%. The company announced that TKSE will close its electrical steel factories in Germany and France between mid-December and the end of the year. It also said its Isbergues plant in France will operate at half capacity starting in January, for a minimum of four months. Marie Jaroni, CEO of TKSE, said that "grain-oriented electric steel is essential for Europe's infrastructure and energy transition" "We are committed to maintaining production of this important product in Europe. We're currently working on effective market protection to ensure fair competition." Eurostat data shows that imports of grain-oriented electric steel (GOES), which is not currently covered by EU plans for a reduction in tariff-free steel quotas to?almost a half, and to impose a 50 percent duty on excess shipments, has tripled over the last three years. The data indicates that imports of GOES are up?by about 50% so far in 2025. This is a direct result of the stiffer U.S. Steel Tariffs, which have shifted supplies to Europe, a trend seen also in other industries. TKSE, along with Poland's Stalprodukt SA is one of the few remaining European producers, while China's Baowu and South Korea's POSCO, as well as Nippon Steel, are among the largest exporters into Europe. (Reporting and editing by Elaine Hardcastle; Tom Kaeckenhoff, Christoph Steitz)
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BlackRock sells Naturgy 7% stake for $2 billion
BlackRock sold a 7.1% stake in Spanish gas utility Naturgy through an accelerated placement managed by JPMorgan for around 1.7 billion euro ($1.9?billion). After completing the accelerated placing of 68.825,911 share at a cost of 24.75 euro per share, BlackRock now holds around 11.42% of Naturgy. This represents a?discount of around 5.4% on Wednesday's closing share price of 26.16 euro. At 09:21 am (0821 GMT), Naturgy's shares were down by 5% to 24.86 euro, making it the worst performers in Spain's Ibex 35 blue-chip index. BlackRock acquired Global Infrastructure Partners in 2024, which had invested previously in Naturgy. BlackRock, the fourth largest shareholder in the company, will become the company after selling its stake. The company is currently owned by Spanish holding company Criteria which has a stake of almost 24 %. CVC, a private equity firm, holds 18.6% of the company and IFM, an Australian fund, 15.2%. Sabadell wrote in a client note that "the transaction will close the door on a possible new shareholder entering the company, and pave the way for CVC to exit the future." The transaction is expected to increase Naturgy’s free float towards its target of 25%. It follows a period in which the company has performed well, reporting record earnings of approximately?2 billion euro annually for the last two years. Since the April 28 grid failure, the company has seen increased output from its combined-cycle plant, which has operated for more hours. This has improved supply security and helped to avoid widespread disconnection.
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The first climate migrants from the sinking Tuvalu arrive in Australia
Foreign?affairs officials confirmed on Thursday that the first climate migrants who left Tuvalu, a remote island nation in the Pacific, had arrived in Australia. They hoped to maintain links with their island home. A deal between Australia and Tuvalu two years ago saw more than a third of the 11,000-strong population of Tuvalu apply for a climate visa to migrate. The annual intake of visas is limited to 280 in order to avoid a brain-drain from the small island nation. Officials from the Australian government said that among the islanders chosen in the first intake of climate migrants are Tuvalu's only female forklift operator, a dental specialist, and a minister who is focused on preserving the spiritual life of the people thousands of kilometers (miles). Tuvalu is a grouping of low-lying islands scattered between Australia and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Manipua Poafolau from Tuvalu's Funafuti island arrived in Australia about a week ago. He is a trainee pastor at the largest church in Tuvalu and plans to move to the small town of Naracoorte, in South Australia. In a video?released by Australia's Foreign Affairs Department, he stated that "for the people moving into Australia, it isn't only for their physical and economical well-being but also for spiritual guidance." Tuvalu officials reported that Feleti Teo, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, visited the Tuvaluan Community in Melton last month. He was there to stress how important it is to maintain strong cultural bonds and ties across borders, as people migrate. In many places, Tuvalu's main island of Funafuti is not much wider than a road. Due to the lack of space, families live under thatched roofing and children play on the runway at the airport. NASA scientists predict that by 2050, the daily tides of Tuvalu will submerge Funafuti Atoll. This atoll is home to 60% Tuvalu residents. The villagers are clinging to a 20-metre strip of land. The forecast assumes an increase of one metre in sea level, but the worst-case scenario would see 90% of Tuvalu's main island submerged. CLIMATE VISAS OFFER 'MOBILITY with DIGNITY. Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, said climate migrants will contribute to Australian society. Wong, in a press release, said that the visa provided "mobility in dignity" by allowing Tuvaluans to live, study and work in Australia, as climate impacts continue to worsen. Australia is establishing support services to assist Tuvaluan families in settling in Melbourne on the east coast, Adelaide in South Australia, and the northern state Queensland. Kitai Haulapi is the first female forklift operator in Tuvalu. She recently got married and plans to move to Melbourne. The city has a population of five million. In a video by Australia's Foreign Affairs department, she said that she hopes to "find a job" in Australia and to continue contributing to Tuvalu through sending money to her family. Masina Matholu is a dentist who will be moving to Darwin, a city in northern Australia, with her husband and three children. She intends to work with Indigenous communities. She said, in a video message: "I can bring back whatever I learn from Australia to my culture to help." (Reporting and editing by Michael Perry; Kirsty needham)
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China will start commercial operation of the first small modular reactor in 2026
An official from the China National Nuclear Corporation's (CNNC) research arm said that China would begin commercial operation of the Linglong One small modular reactor in the first half of 2026. The APC100 reactor, also known as APC100 was the first SMR approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2016. The first project to use the Linglong One technology, CNNC's project on China's island of Hainan began in 2021. Wang Zhenqing of the China Institute for 'Nuclear Industrial Strategy', spoke at an international energy conference in Beijing. SMRs can be built faster and smaller than traditional reactors, and they can also be installed on ships and aircraft. They can also be manufactured in factories. However, there are still questions about whether they provide as much power as larger reactors. The energy department wants to develop small reactors in the United States by 2030. It announced funding of $800 millions for their development from Tennessee Valley Authority and private company Holtec. In November, Britain approved a project to build mini reactors in North Wales and connect them to the grid before 2030. (Reporting and editing by Clarence Fernandez; Colleen howe)
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Iron ore prices fall as China's demand outlook dims
Iron ore futures prices fell?on Friday on concerns about demand in China, the world's largest consumer of iron ore. This was fueled by a decline in steel consumption and outweighed hopes of policy signals from Beijing. The daytime trading price of the most traded iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was 1.3% lower, closing at 757 Yuan ($107.22). As of 0702 GMT, the benchmark January iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange fell 1.36% to $100.35 per ton. After data revealed a decline in steel demand, prices of the key ingredient for steelmaking fell. Data from Mysteel revealed that the apparent consumption of five major products in steel fell by?2.8% on a weekly basis for a third week running, to 8.4 million tonnes. Morning trading prices were rangebound, as investors awaited Beijing's policy signals. They had their eyes fixed on the annual "Central Economic Work Conference", where Beijing is expected set important growth targets and policies priorities for next. Analysts at Jinyuan Futures say that after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates, expectations of China announcing new stimulus measures increased. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged China on Wednesday to make a "brave decision" to speed up structural reforms, as the pressure mounts for the world's largest economy to move to a consumption model and reduce its reliance?on exports that are financed by debt. IMF raised its China growth forecast from 4.8% to 5% for 2025, citing strong exports from the production powerhouse. It also increased its forecast from 4.2% to 4.5% for 2026. Fundamentally, a growing iron ore production and a weakening steel demand continue to pressure ore prices. Coking coal and coke, which are used to make steel, also fell by?4.39% apiece. The benchmarks for steel on the Shanghai Futures Exchange have lost ground. Rebar dropped 1.32%; hot-rolled coils fell 1.19%; stainless steel declined 0.44%; and wire rod dropped 0.62%. ($1 = 7,0604 Chinese Yuan) (Reporting and editing by Amy Lv, Lewis Jackson and Janane Vekatraman).
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Silver reaches record high after Fed splits rates. Gold falls
After the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a divided rate cut, investors were uncertain of the pace at which the Fed will ease next year. Silver, however, reached a new record high. As of 0707 GMT spot gold dropped 0.4% to $4210.88 an ounce after reaching its highest level since December 5, earlier in the session. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery gained 0.3% per ounce to $4,238.10 Tim Waterer, KCM Trade's Chief Market Analyst, said that gold was "unable to move forward today" because the Fed had essentially stated that further rate reductions would be rare. In a divided vote, the Fed lowered its interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday. However, it indicated that the Fed may not lower rates further while waiting for more clear signs of a cooling labor market and an inflation that is "somewhat elevated." Six officials, a record number, oppose even the quarter-point cut made on Wednesday. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has also refused to give any guidance about the timing of further rate cuts. Gold and other non-yielding investments benefit from lower interest rates. Investors are now awaiting U.S. job and inflation data from November, followed by an in-depth?third quarter economic growth report. Spot silver increased 0.2%, to $61,90 per ounce, after reaching a record high at $62,88 earlier in the session. This brings its year-to date gain to 113%, on the back of strong industrial demand and falling inventories, as well as its inclusion in the "U.S. Spot silver added 0.2% to $61.90 per ounce after hitting a record high of $62.88?earlier in the session, bringing its year-to-date gain to 113% on strong industrial demand, falling inventories and its addition to the?U.S. Silver hasn't paid much attention to the outside world and has rallied all on its own. Ilya Spivak is the head of global macro for Tastylive. He said that there was nothing here to suggest that silver would turn. Spivak said that silver's next significance level is when it approaches $64. Palladium, on the other hand, fell by 0.1%, to $1473.68. (Reporting and editing by Sumana Aich, Rashmia Aich and Ishaan Aroor in Bengaluru)
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Vietnam restricts exports of rare earths refined and reaffirms ore trade ban
The Vietnamese parliament approved on Thursday a revised bill that limits the exports of?rare earths refined and reaffirms an ore -export ban. This is in an effort to support a domestic industry that has been struggling for years to extract its significant reserves. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Vietnam has one of the largest reserves of rare earths in the world. However, earlier this year, the government agency significantly reduced its estimate of the?reserves of the country to 3.5 millions metric tons from 22 million tonnes. The new law states that "deep processing must be associated with building a contemporary industrial ecosystem in order to improve the domestic value chain and ensure autonomy," thus restricting the export of refined earths. West has been scrambling to find alternatives to China's refined earths used in cars, renewable energy infrastructure, and other sensitive industries. Beijing, the dominant supplier of?global supply, implemented export controls in April, at the height its trade war against the United States. Vietnam's export restrictions won't have an immediate impact, as the country has virtually no refining capability at the moment. Since at least 2021, the country has prohibited exports of?rare-earth ores. But regulatory obstacles have prevented the exploitation by local enterprises and foreign partners of its reserves for a long time. The new law reiterates the export ban and emphasizes that "exploration and exploitation activities, as well as processing activities" must be closely monitored. (Reporting and editing by Thomas Derpinghaus; Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio)
Euro stocks calm down after French stock selloff; Dollar recovers despite Fed independence concerns
The U.S. Dollar recovered on Wednesday, despite investors' concerns about attacks on the independence of the Federal Reserve. European shares also edged up after a sharp decline the previous day, and now the focus is on earnings from AI leader Nvidia.
Concerns about the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve grew after a lawyer representing Fed Governor Lisa Cook announced that she would sue President Donald Trump for his decision to dismiss her on Monday.
The dollar recovered from its previous session's drop and was 0.3% higher against a basket currency at 1210 GMT.
Justin Onuekwusi is chief investment officer of St. James's Place. He said that Cook was dovish in general, even though he believes inflation can be unanchored with a central bank less independent.
Onuekwusi said that the markets seemed complacent regarding the risks associated with policymaking.
The yield on the two-year U.S. Treasury, which is usually in line with expectations of interest rates, has fallen to its lowest level since May, at 3.645%.
The yield on the 30-year bonds, which took the brunt Tuesday's selling, increased 2 basis points to reach 4.93%.
These moves have widened yield curves measured by the difference between the two-year and 30-year yields to 128 basis points, which is the widest it has been since early 2022.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and policymakers, for not cutting rates. Market watchers took Powell's remarks at the annual Jackson Hole Symposium of the Fed last week to mean that interest rates could be coming down.
Investors have increased their bets that the Fed will cut rates next month. Traders are pricing in an 84 percent chance of Fed action in September, and expect more than 100 basis points of easing in June 2026.
Ben Bennett, APAC Investment Strategist at Legal and General Investment Management said: "I think investors will be more focused on the September rate movement and how that affects the payroll print."
The STOXX 600 Index in Europe was trading 0.2% up after a nearly 1.0% drop on Tuesday when Francois Bayrou, the French Prime Minister's gamble to gain support for his unpopular plan to reduce debt backfired.
Bayrou's decision to call for a vote of confidence on 8 September has increased the risk that eurozone's second largest economy may soon see another government collapse. After a dramatic selloff on Tuesday and Monday, French bonds have calmed down and stocks are rising.
Gilles Moec, chief economist at AXA, said: "The key question is whether we can have a budget before the end of this year."
He said that for the moment, the markets are pricing in the same outcome as last year when the French government finally pushed through its budget. However, the market's reaction could change if another snap election is called.
Sterling and the euro both fell against a stronger dollar. The euro dropped to $1.1574 - its lowest level since August 6.
NVIDIA
U.S. Stock futures are trading at around 0.1% higher.
Earnings from Nvidia, due later this Wednesday, will be the focus of attention. This will determine how U.S. equity markets, which are heavily tech-focused, and have hit near record highs will trade.
Investors continued to place bets on global demand for AI Infrastructure, and the company was at the forefront of the market recovery since April's lows. In July, the company crossed the $4 trillion mark to become the most valuable company in the world.
Options traders have priced in a swing of $260 billion in Nvidia’s market value following the company’s earnings report. The firm’s business in China, which will be closely monitored after a profit-sharing agreement with the Trump Administration, will also be carefully watched.
The fate of Nvidia’s China business depends on the outcome of tariff negotiations and trade restrictions between the two world’s largest economies.
Japan's government bond yields on long-term bonds rose to new all-time records in Asia following a disappointing result from the Bank of Japan’s regular debt-purchase operations.
Spot gold fell 0.5% in commodities after hitting a two-week peak the previous session.
Oil prices rose, as investors considered the impact of new U.S. duties on India, which is the third largest crude consumer in the world.
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate Crude futures both rose by around 20 cents to $67.43 and 63.347, respectively.
(source: Reuters)