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After the Iran peace agreement report, oil prices are down and stocks are up.
After a report that Iran and the United States were close to a deal on ending the Gulf War, oil prices fell and stocks rose. Meanwhile, momentum in AI-driven trading accelerated. Brent crude, a global benchmark, fell to just under $100 per barrel on Wednesday, its lowest level in two weeks. This is due to the importance of oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude was last traded at $103,25, down by 6% for the day. Wall Street saw a profit-driven corporate engine in the United States continue to drive U.S. stock prices to new highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.85%. The S&P 500 gained 0.7% and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.9%. The STOXX 600 index in Europe extended its gains and closed the day up 2.1%, after gaining 0.7% the previous day. MSCI's All-Country World Index rose 1.24%, setting a new record. Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, said: "A fairly?punchy move in the wake of these stories. It's almost as if market sentiment has changed to a 'buy all' mode." He said that it was difficult to say whether or not a deal might be imminent. Market participants are not going to wait for confirmation of positive news, but they're essentially rushing ahead with a positive outcome. The U.S. Dollar, which was a safe-haven currency during the Iran War, fell 0.4% against major peers as investors hoped for a deal. In a sudden move, the yen surged by up to 1.8% against dollar. This sparked speculation about another round of interventions. As traders lowered their bets about a?central banks rate hike,' yields on government bond fell with the oil price. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell by 5.4 basis points, to 4.36%. Despite the sharp rise in stocks, turmoil on energy and bond markets may weigh down global growth. Oil prices are 35% higher today than when the conflict started in late February. 10-year Treasury yields have also increased by around 40 basis points. AI RALLY BOOSTS GLOBAL STOCK The broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 3.2%. Samsung Electronics surged by 14% and surpassed Berkshire Hathaway in market value. Rushil Khanna is the head of equity investments in Asia for Ostrum, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers. He said: "The earnings growth trajectory for sectors like semiconductors, tech, industrials and material in Asia surpasses anything I've seen in a very long time." Shares of chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices rose around 20% in the U.S. as the company predicted second-quarter revenues above Wall Street's expectations. This helped drive AI enthusiasm throughout markets. Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne, Harry Robertson, and Gregor Stuart Hunter, in Boston; editing by Thomas Derpinghaus and Kirby Donovan.
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Bosnian town searches for answers after hundreds of people test positive for lead
In 2024, a new mine producing silver, barite, and lead opened in the mountainous central Bosnian town of Vares. After decades of economic devastation, new roads, houses, and cafes were built. The population of the small town Vares, in central Bosnia, grew with new workers and residents. Blood tests in recent months have shown that more than 300 residents living near the mine are exposed to lead. Some of these levels are high, alarming the locals and putting the future of the town into question. Four Bosnian environmental agencies have filed criminal charges with the Zenica Doboj cantonal prosecutor's office against Dundee Precious Metals. The Canadian mining company acquired the mine from the UK-based Adriatic Metals in September. Miroslav Pjecinovic, president of Opstanak Vares (Survival) - one of the agencies - said: "We believe that the situation has reached a point where it is appropriate to declare a state of emergency." Someone has to be held accountable. Toronto-listed DPM admits to a problem, but denies any responsibility. In December, the company agreed to fund blood tests. Residents said that they requested the blood tests not because of any danger, but because the previous owner of the mine offered to do so. The results revealed that 17 out of 44 residents who lived near the mine's waste?depot and processing plant had elevated levels of lead in their blood. In subsequent tests, conducted by the health institutes of Sarajevo and Zenica, more than 300 people were found to have lead in their blood, including those who lived further away from Vares. Lead levels that are too high can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, and learning problems in children. Residents and organizations have said there has been no harm caused by lead exposure, but doctors warn that any level of lead can be harmful. Vares Health Centre said in March in a report that test results showed no signs of acute poisoning but rather long-term exposure of different environmental factors with a 'low intensity. The report states that out of the 238 blood tests performed by the Institute for Health and Food Safety in Zenica, 23% of the results were found to be above the danger threshold of 2,8 micrograms/decilitre and 13% of the results were found to be above the 5 micrograms/decilitre. Local officials stated that such extensive tests were not conducted previously, and it was therefore impossible to determine whether the lead was from the mine, or if it was caused by decades of mining in the region, which is rich with metals. WATER AND LAND TESTING - FURTHER TEST DPM joined the working group, formed by officials of the town and doctors in December after first test results. The group began testing the land, water and agricultural products?as well as dust, in areas around the waste depot and processing plant. In a press release, it said that the company took environmental and health issues seriously and worked with authorities. It said: "We are of the opinion that environmental and public health issues should be evaluated on the basis expert analysis, verified information and by the appropriate institutional procedures. Without prejudging the responsibility before the relevant process has been completed," it stated. On Wednesday, charges were filed against ministers of the cantonal and regional governments who environmental groups accuse for failing to do enough to protect residents. Now, the charges will be reviewed. The case is likely to go to court if accepted. The government of Bosnia’s Bosniak-Croat Federation where Vares, located, is located says that it is working to find a resolution and has formed an ‘expert group’. Nermin Nikolic, Prime Minister of the Federation, said Monday that "we need to monitor this situation and take appropriate steps when it escalates." The health of the people cannot be put at risk because someone is negligent, invested or has an interest. "LIFE IS NOT EASY WHEN LEAD IS INVOLVED" The Ahmedovics, who live close to the mine processing plant, have remained loyal to Vares despite its economic ups-and-downs. They invested in crops and cattle as others left. They may also move after the family, which included two children, was found to be positive for lead. They also found lead in their 'croplands', which forced them to stop sowing fruit, vegetables, and wheat. Enisa Ahmadovic said, "I'm not sure if this hay contains lead," while she was feeding cows at her farm. "Life with lead can be difficult." Residents want answers now. Emina Veljovic is an expert on environmental law and works at the Aarhus Centre in Bosnia. She said that authorities need to determine "who poisons the children, who poisons the citizens." (Reporting and editing by Edward McAllister, Alex Richardson, and Daria Sito Sucic)
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Gold reaches a record high in less than a week on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes
Gold prices reached a record high of more than one week?on Tuesday, following reports that the U.S. may be close to a peace agreement with Iran. This quelled fears of inflation and a prolonged period of high interest rates. By 8:50 am EDT (1250 GMT), spot gold had risen 2.7% to $4678.95 an ounce, after reaching its highest level in the previous session. U.S. Gold Futures increased 2.7% to $4690.20. The dollar index fell 0.5%. The dollar index dropped 0.5%, lowering the price of metals in greenbacks for holders of other currencies. "The optimism regarding a final deal between the U.S.and Iran has caused some short-term relief for gold.?With lower oil prices and moderated inflation worries, as well as shifted biases in regards to Fed action later in the year," Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals analyst at Zaner Metals. "I wouldn't necessarily say that we're out of the woods. The market will continue to pivot around Middle East headlines. A source in Pakistan, the mediator in the Gulf war, and another source who was briefed about the mediation both said that Washington and Tehran were close to an agreement over a memorandum of one page. The news of a possible agreement led to a drop in global oil prices, with benchmark Brent crude futures dropping to around $100 per barrel. High oil prices can cause inflation fears and prompt central banks keep rates high in order to combat price pressures. Gold is a hedge against rising inflation but it suffers in a high rate environment as it pays no interest. Investors will be watching the release of the monthly U.S. Employment Report on Friday. This report will test if the U.S. Economy is resilient enough to maintain the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies on hold or if a softening labour market could revive the argument for rate cuts. ADP's National Employment Report showed that U.S. payrolls increased in April more than anticipated. Silver spot rose by 5.5%, to $76.81 an ounce. Platinum gained 3.5%, to $2,020.50, and palladium increased 3.9%, to $1,543.76. (Reporting from Ashitha Shivaprasad, Bengaluru. Editing by Paul Simao.)
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Exelon's power rates and demand exceed quarterly estimates
Exelon, the U.S. utility, exceeded Wall Street expectations for first-quarter adjusted profits on Wednesday. This was due to higher electricity prices, strong?demand, and favorable weather. As tech giants build out massive data centers for artificial intelligence tasks, power?companies in the U.S. are raising prices and increasing capital expenditures to keep up with demand. Rate-case processes are used by regulated utilities to determine the amount customers will be charged for electricity, natural gas and other services like private water and steam. Exelon has increased its capital spending forecast to $41.7 billion over the next four-year period, up from $41.3 billion. The utility is expected to see an increase of 7.9% in its regulated assets. The net income of Illinois' largest electricity utility, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), rose to $310 millions. Exelon’s PECO unit - Pennsylvania's largest natural gas and electric utility - saw its earnings rise?4.5%, to $278 million. Exelon has reaffirmed that its adjusted profit guidance for 2026 is between $2.81 and 2.91 per share. According to data compiled LSEG, the Chicago-based firm posted a?adjusted profit of 91?cents per share? for the three'months? ended March 31? compared to analysts' average estimates?of 89?cents per share? Varun Sahay, Bengaluru. Diti pujara, editing.
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Copper prices rise on optimism about a possible US-Iran Peace Deal
On 'Wednesday', copper prices reached their highest level in almost two weeks on hopes that Iran and the U.S. are nearing a deal to end the Middle East?war. The benchmark three-month 'copper' on the London Metal Exchange increased 2.1% to $13,410 per metric ton during official open-outcry trade for a third consecutive session. It had earlier reached its highest level since April 23, at $13,462. Sources said that the United States and Iran were close to an agreement over a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of one page in order to end the Gulf War. Robert Montefusco, broker at?Sucden financial, said that copper is strong following the headlines about Iran and U.S. agreeing on a one-page memorandum. The oil market is also falling and then other markets are rising again. After the release of the report about a one-page memo to end the conflict, stocks jumped. Brent crude oil fell 10% below $100 per barrel for the very first time since April 22. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most-traded copper contract rose 1.6%, to 102660 yuan (15,029.98 dollars) per ton. The Chinese markets returned to trading on May Day after the May Day holiday. Montefusco noted that the metals market also received a boost from data indicating services activity in China's top metals consumer grew at a faster rate in April. This was aided by a stronger growth of new business. LME aluminium fell 1.3% to $3,544.50 per ton in anticipation of an end to Middle East supply disruptions. About?9% global aluminium production is produced in the Middle East. Analysts at ANZ predict that aluminium prices will remain skewed upwards, trading?above 3,400 a ton. In a recent note, they stated that "if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, prices could?briefly drop, but renewed stocking by manufacturers will limit any significant downturn." Lead rose 0.8% to $1,987.50 and zinc climbed 1.4% to $3,419 while tin jumped by 6% to $52,695. Zinc rose 1.4% to $3 419, while tin increased by 6% to $52,695. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman. Additional reporting by Pablo Sinha in Bengaluru, Swati verma from Bengaluru.
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NRG Energy misses its quarterly profit forecast due to mild Texas weather and higher costs
NRG Energy, a power producer in Texas, missed Wall Street expectations for the first quarter adjusted profit. Compared to $163 million a quarter ago, the company's interest expenses in?the?quarter rose to $285 millions. This was due to costs associated with a completed acquisition of assets for power generation from investment firm LS Power. The?deal, valued at $12 billion? included costs related to this deal. NRG, based in Houston, Texas, saw its operating costs increase by 33.4%. They now total $9.93 billion. The company anticipates that commercial operations will begin at the 415 megawatt T.H. The company expects to start commercial operations at its first project in Texas, the Wharton facility, by the end of May. The company plans to return nearly $400 million in dividends to common stock holders and $1 billion through share repurchases by 2026. Robert Gaudette, an insider, succeeded Larry Coben on April 30, as CEO of the company. NRG reported quarterly revenue of $10.26?billion, an increase from $8.59 billion a year earlier. Its Texas division posted a first-quarter adjusted profit of $216m, down from $299m a year earlier, due to mild winter weather that saw a 30% drop in heating degree days, leading to a 'lower retail load. The company confirmed its adjusted earnings forecast for?2026 of $7.90 to $8.90 per share. LSEG data shows that the adjusted profit per?share of $1.49 for the three-month period ended?March 31, fell short of the analysts' average estimate, which was $1.78. (Reporting and editing by Shreya biswas in Bengaluru, Pooja menon in Bengaluru)
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Oil prices fall and global stocks rise after Iran peace deal report
After a report that the White House was close to a final agreement on a memorandum ending the war with Iran and the momentum in AI-driven trading accelerated, the stock market soared. Axios, a news outlet, reported that the U.S. expects Iran to respond on key issues in the next 48-hours. On Wednesday, a Pakistani source who is involved in peace efforts confirmed that the report was true. Brent crude, the benchmark global oil price, fell 10.6% to $98.20 a barrel, its lowest level in two weeks. Axios reported that both sides would lift restrictions on transiting the waterway. STOXX 600 Index in Europe extended gains, and ended the day with a 2.6% gain after gaining 0.7% the previous day. MSCI's All-Country World Index rose 0.9%, setting a new record. Futures for U.S. S&P 500 increased 0.9% a day after index rose 0.8%, driving the index to its latest record high. This was driven by strong earnings of companies and excitement over artificial intelligence. Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, said: "A pretty puny move on those stories. It's almost like the market is now in a 'buy-everything' mode." He said that it was difficult to predict how close we were to a final deal. Market participants are not going to wait for confirmation of positive news, but are now essentially front-running an outcome that is positive. The U.S. Dollar, which was a safe-haven currency during the Iran War, fell 0.55% versus its major counterparts, indicating investor hope for a potential deal. As traders reduced their bets about central bank rate increases, the yields on government debt fell with oil prices. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell by 7 basis points, to 4.35%. Although the stock market has risen sharply, turmoil in the energy and bond markets may weigh on global growth. Oil prices are 35% higher now than when the conflict started in late February. 10-year Treasury yields have also risen by around 40 basis points. Analysts have also warned that a deal for peace is not certain. Ipek Ozkardeskaya is a senior analyst with Swissquote. He said that "the probability of disappointment looms" and suggested that some of the gains might be reversed. AI RALLY BUOSTS GLOBAL??STOCKS The broadest index for Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 3.2%. Samsung Electronics soared by 14% and surpassed Berkshire Hathaway in market value. Rushil Khanna is the head of equity investments in Asia for Ostrum, a Natixis Investment Managers affiliate. He said: "Due the capex spending we see from (AI hyperscalers) in the U.S. the earnings growth trajectory in Asia for sectors like semiconductors, tech, industrials, and materials exceeds anything that I have seen in a long time." Shares of chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices in the U.S. jumped by?16% during extended trading on Tuesday after the company announced second-quarter revenue that was above Wall Street's expectations. This helped drive AI enthusiasm across markets. The yen also strengthened on other foreign exchange markets. It gained as much as 1.8%, to 155, against the dollar, as traders continued to watch for new intervention from authorities in Tokyo, in support of this beleaguered currency. Harry Robertson reported from London, and Gregor Stuart Hunter from Singapore. Thomas Derpinghaus edited the story with Kirsty Donovan, Joe Bavier and Thomas Derpinghaus.
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Zelenskiy accuses Russia for rejecting Kyiv's ceasefire proposal
Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of violating a Kyiv proposed ceasefire by carrying out dozens battlefield assaults, drone attacks and air?strikes. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called this Moscow's "obvious spurning of peace". Zelenskiy floated the cessation starting on 6 May in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal of a ceasefire between 8 and 9 May to coincide with World War Two Victory Commemorations. Zelenskiy stated that Russia, which had not confirmed its agreement with Ukraine's proposal, had committed 1,820 violation?by Wednesday morning. He said that "Russia's decision is an obvious rejection of a ceasefire, and the saving of lives." Two people killed in drone strikes Officials from the northeastern Sumy area said that two people died in separate Russian drone strikes on a car for civilians and a kindergarten where no children were present. Officials said that air raids after midnight damaged private buildings, infrastructure and industrial sites in major cities like Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih, where an attack on the city Tuesday left 12 dead. Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister on X, said: "This shows Russia rejects peace?and that its fake calls for ceasefire?on the 9th of May have nothing to do diplomacy." "Putin is only concerned about military parades and not human life." Rival overtures are made amid the stalled U.S. peace talks to end a war that has lasted more than four years, as Russia continues its offensive to seize the eastern Donetsk area of Ukraine. RUSSIA WARNS ITS RESPONSE TO ATTACKS This week, Russia will have a trimmed-down version of its annual military parade held in central Moscow. The reason given is the increased threat from Ukrainian attacks. Zelenskiy stated on Wednesday that officials will decide later on the day on "further action" in response to Russia’s attacks. He had said earlier that Kyiv will act "symmetrically", if the ceasefire is violated. The Russian defence ministry warned on Monday that they would "respond" to Ukrainian attacks at victory celebrations by launching a massive missile attack against the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. It said: "We're warning the citizens of Kyiv, as well as the staff of foreign diplomatic missions to leave the city quickly." Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, said that an Ukrainian drone struck a building overnight in Russia's capital but caused no injuries. According to some Ukrainians, any unilateral attempts by their military force to maintain a ceasefire would be fruitless as long as?cities remain under attack and frontline troops are still being attacked. "Perhaps we should act like Russia." Nataliia FOMENEK, 52, from Kyiv, said: "We should not be silent and we shouldn't observe the truce." "We don't have any other option." (Additional reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens; Lincoln Feast, Alison Williams and Andrew Heavens)
Stocks return to record highs on Middle East peace hopes
The world stock market rose for the 10th consecutive day on Thursday to reach?new records highs. This marked the end of a six-week journey that began with the massive selloffs caused by Israel and the United States' attacks on Iran.
The optimism over a possible 'deal to end war' continues to grow. MSCI 47-country world stock index rose 0.25%, with oil at $95 a barrel now far below the $120 highs of March.
Wall Street hoped to see more gains in the future. The S&P 500 reached a new high on Wednesday after rising tech stocks and positive global bank earnings lifted it above 7,000.
Manpreet Gil, Chief investment officer for Africa, Middle East, and Europe at Standard Chartered, said: "It looks almost like a perfect V-shaped rebound." He added that the U.S. tech stock market and the falling oil prices were the main drivers of the rebound.
European stocks are still not back at their pre-war levels, but they have moved up 0.2% as bond traders continue to reduce bets on sharp interest rate hikes by the top central banks in the region.
When the European Central Bank met last month, there were growing fears about a surge in European and worldwide inflation due to energy.
Gill stated that rate-makers are more likely to try and "look past" this move if energy prices do now drop, and if inflation is only a temporary one off.
He said: "I think everyone is going to be quite careful about whether we can see any second-round impacts that come later."
OIL ON BOIL
Brent crude oil prices remained volatile at a little above $95 per barrel, after a Tehran-briefed source said that Iran might consider allowing ships sailing freely on the Omani side of Strait of Hormuz to avoid attack in its negotiations with the United States.
After eight days of consecutive declines, the U.S. Dollar Index, which measures greenback strength against a basket six currencies, gained around 0.15%.
In addition to war-watching, U.S. president Donald Trump has reignited the spat with Fed chair Jerome Powell. He threatened to remove him from his seat as a single member of?the U.S. Central Bank's Board of Governors, unless Powell vacates his seat when his term ends on May 15th.
The dollar's movement also caused the euro to lose traction at just below $1.18, after having edged up to within touching distance from its highest level since World War I began.
After meeting with U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent, Japan's Finance Minister said that Tokyo and the U.S. agreed to intensify their communication?on the exchange rate after her Wednesday meeting.
Khoon 'Goh, head of Asia Research at ANZ said: "As the markets price out the war premium we could see further pressure on the dollar and a resumption of the downward trend that has been established basically since last year."
AUSSIE DOLLAR AND GOLD GAIN
Chinese stocks rose over 1% in the first quarter, and the yuan was nearing a three-year-high of 6.8152 to the dollar on the offshore markets.
Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 2.4%, setting a new record. Taiwan and Korea were not far behind, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a pillar of the AI industry, posted a 58% increase in profits.
Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a report that they "remain constructive" about emerging market stocks, as the "underlying profit growth will likely be strong".
The Australian dollar reached a record high of four years after the release of employment data. Bitcoin and ether, on the other hand, remained at just below $74,700 each and $2,340 in the cryptomarkets.
(source: Reuters)