Latest News
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Lucid misses its first-quarter vehicle deliveries estimates due to supplier disruptions
Lucid 'Group missed Friday its expectations for the first quarter vehicle deliveries, hurt by an unauthorized supplier and a temporary sales halt. The company was unable to meet the demand for its luxury electric SUV Lucid Gravity during the third quarter because of a quality issue with the second-row seat. The company reported that it delivered 3,093 vehicles in the March 31st quarter. Visible Alpha analysts had predicted Lucid would produce 5,967 cars and deliver 5,237. Lucid's Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff said that deliveries were especially affected in February when they paused for a few minutes to "reverse the changes and inspect already produced vehicles." Lucid recalled 4,476 'Gravity SUVs' built between December 2024 and February 2020 earlier this week due to seatbelt welds not meeting safety standards. The shortfall highlights the gap between Lucid's ability to produce cars and its production capacity, which has plagued Lucid as well as other EV startups when demand falls. Winterhoff acknowledged that supply challenges are still a concern. The company's forecast to?produce 25,000?to 27,000? vehicles this year was conservative, suggesting a growth of up to 50%. It maintained this forecast on Friday. By 2025, the production will have nearly doubled. Lucid has also been battling a chip shortage, uncertain supplies and an October fire at an aluminum supplier.
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NYT: Musk wants SpaceX IPO banks buying Grok AI subscriptions
The New York Times reported that Elon Musk was requiring banks and advisers who are working on 'SpaceX's IPO to buy subscriptions to Grok, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot. The report stated that some banks had agreed to spend up to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars per year on the chatbot, and they have already begun integrating it with their IT systems. This week, it was reported that Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup are the active bookrunners or 'lead banks' managing a deal. Musk and SpaceX have not responded to requests for comment. JPMorgan Chase declined to comment. Goldman Sachs also declined. Citigroup, Bank of America and Citigroup did not respond. Morgan Stanley did not respond immediately to our queries. Bloomberg News reported a day before that the Starbase rocket maker in Texas had boosted its target valuation for an initial public offering above $2 trillion. This could be the largest stock market listing ever. The company hopes to raise $75 billion, which is a record amount. This would be a far cry from previous mega-IPOs like 'Saudi Aramco 2019 or Alibaba 2014'. (Reporting and editing by Bill Berkrot, Mark Porter, and Savyata Mihsra from Bengaluru)
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Afghanistan earthquake 5.9 causes eight deaths
The National Disaster Management Authority reported that eight people died and one child was injured when a house in Kabul collapsed following the earthquake in Afghanistan. The German Research Centre for Geosciences, GFZ, reported that an earthquake measuring?5.9 magnitude struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush on Friday. GFZ said that the quake was at a depth 177 km (110 mi). Witnesses reported feeling strong tremors in the Indian capital New Delhi and Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. Afghanistan is surrounded by rugged mountains and therefore prone to natural disasters. The most deadly are its earthquakes, which kill?about 560 people a year on average. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in November killed at least 27 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. Mohammad Yunus 'Yawar, reporting from Kabul; Akanksha 'Kushi, writing in Bengaluru; Kanjyik 'Ghosh, in Barcelona; Kevin Liffey and Emelia Sithole Matarise editing.
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Emirates Global Aluminium estimates that full recovery of production from the attack could take up to a year
The UAE-based company Emirates Global Aluminium said that it could take up to a full year to fully restore primary aluminium production in its Al Taweelah Smelter, which was damaged by an Iranian attack late last month. In a press release, Al Taweelah said that the facilities were evacuated to the fullest extent and put into emergency shutdown following the attacks of March 28 on the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi. EGA stated that to resume operations, it must repair the infrastructure and restore each reduction?cell. Early indications suggest that it could take up to a year for the primary aluminium industry to fully recover. PARTICULAR OPERATIONS EGA stated that the Al Taweelah refining plant, which produces alumina (the raw ingredient of aluminium), and the Al Taweelah Recycling Plant could restart some production sooner, "depending?on?the final?assessment of the site damages". The conflict in the Middle East has caused the price of aluminum to rise the most in almost two years. Benchmark three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange rose?10.4% in the last month, and reached its highest level in almost four years -- $3,546.50 a metric ton -- on March 12. The London Metal Exchange's benchmark three-month aluminium reached its highest level in nearly four years - $3,546.50 per metric ton - on March 12. Al Taweelah Aluminium Smelter of EGA will produce 1.6 million tonnes of cast metal in 2025. Al Taweelah is also home to an alumina refinery, which produced 2.4 millions tons of aluminium last year. Hatem Maher (Reporting) Tomasz Janovski and Barbara Lewis (Editing)
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Meloni, Italy's Meloni, visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE amid Gulf tensions and energy concerns
A government official confirmed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia meloni traveled to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously undisclosed trip. The trip will include meetings in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. Officials said that the two-day trip was to show support for Gulf countries facing Iranian attacks, and also to protect Italy's energy supply. This is the first visit by an EU leader to Saudi Arabia since the conflict that was started by the United States and Israel in February. It also comes at a moment when there are growing concerns about the security of the?oil & gas 'flows. Qatari liquefied gas covered about 10% of Italy’s total gas consumption before the war. Middle East oil made up around 12% last year of Italy’s total oil imports. Italy received a notification last week that its Gulf supplier would be halting LNG deliveries due to the near-closure?of the Strait?of Hormuz. They will not ship 10 cargoes?between?April and?mid June. QatarEnergy CEO and State Minister for Energy Affairs, QatarEnergy, told?that Iranian attacks had also crippled 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capability. Last month, QatarEnergy's?CEO and state minister for energy affairs told?ajungiaparatulletzten??letztenbackbackééletzten Two sources with knowledge of the situation said on Thursday that Italy would begin to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG), from the Golden Pass LNG facility in the United States, from June. (Reporting and writing by Giuseppe Fonte, Crispian Balmer and Gavin Jones).
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FAO: If the Iran war continues, food prices will continue to rise around the world
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported on Friday that world food prices rose in March, reaching their highest level since last September. They could rise even more if the Middle East conflict continues to push up energy costs. In a recent statement, FAO Chief Economicist Maximo Toreros said that the price rises have been modest. They are mainly due to higher oil prices. He said that if a conflict continues for more than 40 days, and input costs are high, farmers can reduce their inputs, plant fewer crops, or switch to less intensive fertiliser crops. He added that "these choices will impact future yields, and shape our food supplies and commodity prices throughout the remainder of this year and the following years." FAO Food Price Index (which measures changes in global traded food commodities) rose 2.4% over its revised February level. The index is now 1% higher than it was a year ago. However, the value of the index has dropped by nearly 20% from its March 2022 high, which occurred after the beginning of the Ukraine war. Fertilizer costs could lead to reduced planting The index of cereal prices increased by 1.5% compared to the previous month. This was mainly due to a 4.3% rise in international wheat due to deteriorating crop prospects in America and lower plantings expected in Australia because of higher fertiliser costs. The global maize price edged upwards as the?ample supply of maize in the world offset concerns about fertiliser prices and indirect support from higher ethanol demand prospects related to higher energy costs. Due to the timing of harvest and weaker import demand, rice prices fell 3.0%. Vegetable oil price increases are now at 5.1% for the third month in a row. The higher quotations for palm, soya, sunflower and rapeseed oils reflected the impact on rising global energy costs and expectations of stronger demand. Palm oil prices have reached their highest levels since mid-2022. Sugar prices?jumped 7.2% to their highest level since October 2025 in March, due to higher crude oil prices. Brazil, the largest sugar exporter in the world, is expected use more sugarcane for ethanol production. The price of meat increased by 1.0% in Brazil and Europe, with pig prices rising in the EU. In a separate document, the FAO raised slightly its estimate of the global cereal production forecast for 2025 to a record 3,036 billion metric tonnes. This would mean a 5.8% increase year-on-year. (Reporting and editing by Tomasz Janowski and Barbara Lewis.)
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Morocco will stop fewer illegal migrants in 2025 due to route changes
Morocco will prevent?6.4% less attempts by illegal migrants to reach?Europe in 2020 compared to the previous year. The interior ministry announced this on Thursday. It added that people are using different routes, and the problem is not going away. The ministry responded to questions via email that in addition to stopping 73,640 attempts at illegal migration, they also dismantled over 300 migrant smuggling networks. The Sahel region of Africa has been ravaged by conflict for years. High unemployment, and the impact of climate change in farming communities is also a factor that drives migrants to Europe. Morocco has long been a major starting point for African migrants who are trying to reach Europe through the Mediterranean or Atlantic routes or by climbing fences around the Spanish enclaves in northern Morocco, Ceuta or Melilla. The level of cooperation with Spain has increased Since 2022, Morocco and Spain have strengthened their cooperation in the area of undocumented immigration. This follows the resolution of a previous diplomatic dispute. A senior official from the directorate of migration and border controls said that following tightened controls migrants have 'begun to use other departure points in West Africa, and parts of the southern Mediterranean. The marked drop in interceptions indicates a gradual decrease in irregular migration flows, reflecting a steady 'drying out' of the migration routes transiting through Morocco," he stated. The ministry reported that Morocco saved 13,595 migrants from drowning at sea by 2025. Meanwhile, 4,372 irregular migrants participated in voluntary return programs to their countries of origin. The official stated that voluntary returns are a reflection of Morocco's "human centered approach" to migration management, which "strikes an balance between firmness & responsibility". (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis; Ahmed El Jechtimi)
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The PM's Office says that the UK will deploy Rapid Sentry air defense system to Kuwait.
The office of Prime Minister Keir Sterne announced on Friday that Britain is sending its Rapid Sentry air defence system to Kuwait in order to protect British and Kuwaiti interest in the Gulf. This follows an Iranian drone attack on a Kuwaiti petroleum facility overnight. Starmer and Kuwait's Crown prince Sabah al Khalid?al Sabah discussed the deployment in a phone call on Friday morning. A spokesperson for Downing Street confirmed this. The spokesperson stated that "the Prime Minister started by condemning the reckless drone attack overnight on a Kuwaiti oil refinery." "He reaffirmed that the UK stands by Kuwait and our Gulf allies." The spokesperson stated that the leaders discussed the deployment to Kuwait of the UK air defence system, designed to shoot down low-flying drones, and other aerial threats. This would protect Kuwaiti?personnel? and?interests? in the region while avoiding an escalation to a larger conflict. Starmer and 'the crown prince' also discussed a 'disruption of global shipping through Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed a meeting on Thursday, chaired by British Yvette Cooper to develop a plan for reopening the crucial shipping route. (Reporting and editing by Tomasz janowski)
MORNING BID AMERICAS - Flood the zone
By Anna Szymanski
What Mike Dolan, the ROI team and I are looking forward to reading, watching and listening to this weekend.
From the Editor
Hello Morning Bid readers! The week began with a bang and it is yet to be seen if it will end on a whimper. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell revealed that the Justice Department threatened to indict him on Sunday, drawing widespread condemnation. In a wide-ranging, multifaceted interview with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Trump stated that he did not plan to fire Powell and also hinted at a possible delay in intervening in Iran.
Do investors have a chance to relax until next week? Most likely not. Monday in 2026 is still a very long time away. Trump has claimed he's in a "wait-and-see" mode with Iran, where 2,000 people were killed by a human rights organization. He also continues to threaten to buy Greenland. Just before Trump's meeting with Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, the United States seized a second Venezuelan-linked tanker. Washington's actions in Venezuela could be the start of a larger U.S. effort to realign Latin America in terms of geoeconomics, which would limit the ability of Russia or China to use Western Hemisphere commodity markets as a point of pressure. This week, geopolitical tensions in Venezuela and Iran as well as the Black Sea brought energy markets to the forefront. Brent crude prices spiked by 9% during the week ending Wednesday, reaching a three-month peak above $66 per barrel. However, they then plummeted below $64 after Trump's reversal on Iran. A large supply glut is still present, creating a dangerous environment for crude investors. Gold prices fell after reaching a new record high of $4642.72 per ounce on Tuesday. Gold may still have a number of tailwinds that will support price increases in this year despite this decline, including central bank appetite for gold and demand for safe-haven assets. This week, the Japanese yen was also volatile. The currency dropped on Wednesday, reaching a low of around 160 dollars per yen, an 18-month record. Since then, it has strengthened partly due to comments made by Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama regarding the possibility that the United States and Japan could work together to protect the currency. Is there more yen instability likely? It is likely, because Japan's economy has returned to normality after decades of turmoil. Investors may need some time to adjust to this new reality. The main dollar index, which is a measure of the currency's value, has been on the rise this week in spite of all the political turmoil domestically and internationally. The markets believe that while the Trump administration was able to roll back the near 50% increase in the dollar over the last?15-year period, the 7% decline expected by 2025 could be the end. The markets also received some additional information this week on U.S. Inflation, as the Consumer Price Index for December was released on Tuesday. The report revealed a slightly lower-than-expected increase in annual core prices. However, consumers and policymakers should not be cheered, as inflation could be higher than it appears. The major U.S. equity indices are expected to finish the week higher despite a tech-driven mid-week sell-off which was stopped by TSMC's blockbuster earnings report. Taiwan and Washington reached a deal Thursday to reduce tariffs on many Taiwanese exports. U.S. stock prices continue to shrug off Trump’s unorthodox policy, just as they did back in 2025, with the exceptions of the post "Liberation Day" ructions. But now that Trump has become the market activist, this might not last for very long. Check out Open Interest for more news on commodities and markets. Learn why talent is more important than territory in the future of AI, why the London Metals Exchange enjoyed a great resurgence since its crisis-induced years of 2022 and why uranium may rise this year.
Check out the reading, listening, and watching suggestions from the ROI team as we enter the weekend. Please contact me at
We're reading this weekend... ANDY HOME. ROI Metals columnist. Amanda van Dyke is the founder of Critical Mineral Hub. She offers a incisive view on why the U.S. government is so focused on Greenland. Rare earths are the topic, but not as you may think. RON BOUSSO is the ROI Energy columnist. Energy analyst Gerard Reid wrote a blog post that provoked thought about recent power outages. In the last year, Europe suffered from a series major blackouts which highlight the challenges that economies will face when undergoing the energy transition. Mike Dolan, ROI Finance & Markets columnist: In the IMF's Finance & Development Magazine, historian Johan Nordberg has written a powerful essay on his book Peak Human: What we can learn from the rise and fall of golden ages. He writes: "Leaders offer safety, greatness and a return of an imagined golden age by protecting and controlling. When the future seems uncertain, it is easy to fall into a familiar story. "Yet history tells us a different story." GAVIN MAGUIRE is a columnist for ROI Global Energy Transformation. Orennia, a software and intelligence company that specializes in energy, offers eight charts to define 2025.
Listen to JAMIE MCGEEVER, ROI Markets columnist. In the latest Perkins vs. Beamish Podcast, "Powell vs Trump – It's War," TS-Lombard economists Dario Perkins, and Freya Beamish, dissect President Trump's sudden escalation of tensions with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
We're keeping an eye on... MIKE DOLAN: In 2025, stocks, bonds, and commodities all survived multiple shocks. Will they continue to show resilience in the coming year? This episode of The Big View features Peter Thal Larsen, editor-in charge of Open Interest and Anna Szymanski who discuss inflation, AI, and the buy-the dip mindset.
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(source: Reuters)