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London metals prices fluctuate on optimism surrounding trade talks
London metals prices were mixed on Monday, as investors found some relief from the trade tensions between the U.S. and China. However, concerns about fragile negotiations lingered. By 0742 GMT, the benchmark copper price on London Metal Exchange (LME), was down by 0.5% to $9,327 per metric tonne. China's decision not to impose retaliatory duties on certain U.S. products sparked the thawing in relations. This was seen as an indication that the trade conflict between the two economic giants may be easing. Last week, the Trump administration signaled a willingness for a de-escalation of the trade conflict. U.S. president Donald Trump confirmed that tariff talks were in progress with Chinese officials. Investors have closely followed developments in the protracted trade dispute, which has raised fears about a possible global recession. A trader said, "The market's current direction is being driven by the U.S. China trade talks. While there is optimism, we remain cautious because sentiment can change quickly." This trader was referring to the uncertainty that continues to surround the negotiations. Other metals saw a 0.1% increase in aluminum to $2.430 per ton. Zinc fell 0.07% to 2.628, while lead increased 0.1% to $1.946. Tin dropped 0.3% to $31,870, and nickel decreased 0.2% to $15,520. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's (SHE) most-traded contract for copper fell by 0.7%, to 77110 yuan per metric ton ($10,567). SHE aluminum fell 0.3%, to 19,900 Chinese yuan per ton. Zinc dropped 1.5%, to 22,405 Yuan. Lead was down by 0.7%, to 16,890 Yuan. Nickel fell 1.1%, to 124,310 Yuan. Tin lost 0.7%, to 260 490 Yuan. $1 = 7.2966 Chinese Yuan Termini (Reporting and editing by Mrigank Dahniwala; Violet Li, Lewis Jackson)
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Oil prices rise despite a gloomy economic outlook and a potential OPEC+ production hike
The oil prices rose slightly in the early trading on Monday, but remained under pressure from the uncertainty surrounding trade talks between China and the U.S. This clouded the outlook for the global economy and fuel demand. Meanwhile, the prospect of OPEC+ increasing its supply added to the gloom. Brent crude futures, and U.S. West Texas intermediate crude, both rose for a third day, gaining 9 cents each by 0025 GMT, to $63.11 and $66.96 a barrel. Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia's online trading platform, said that the lack of news was pushing the oil prices higher. Traders are positioned ahead of a potential increase in OPEC+ production from the May 5, 2015 meeting as well as a significant boost in US production. When they meet on 5 May, some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and their allies are expected to suggest the group increases oil production for a second month in a row. Brent and WTI fell by more than 1 percent last week due to fears of an oversupply, and the potential impact of tariffs. Markets have been rocked with conflicting signals coming from U.S. president Donald Trump and Beijing about the progress being made in de-escalating a trade dispute that threatens global growth. Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury secretary, did not support Trump's claim that talks with China are in progress. Beijing had earlier denied that any negotiations were underway. Participants at the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings and World Bank Spring Meetings stated that Trump's Administration was still conflicted about its demands of trading partners who were hit by his tariffs. Investors will also be watching the nuclear talks that are taking place between Iran and United States this week in Oman. Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, said that he was "extremely conservative" in his assessment of the outcome of the talks. State media reported that a powerful blast at Iran's largest port, Bandar Abbas, has left at least 40 dead and more than 1,200 injured. After a meeting between Trump, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vatican officials the day before, the top officials of the Trump administration demanded that Russia and Ukraine make progress on a deal. (Reporting and editing by SonaliPaul; Florence Tan)
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James Hardie's backlash prompts Australian stock exchange to review M&A regulations
ASX, the Australian stock exchange operator, announced on Sunday that they had begun a process to implement their rules for shareholder approvals of mergers and purchases. The ASX announced its decision to review the listing process a day before fibre-cement manufacturer James Hardie said it would conduct a shareholder vote prior to making any decisions to change its ASX listings status. Investors in Australia recently called for a review of the listing rules. They argued that it is unfair that companies are able to issue shares without shareholder approval. James Hardie proposed to acquire AZEK for $8.75 billion, and they said that the deal would dilute the interests of existing shareholders. They also claimed it would alter their rights with no vote. The bourse operator stated that the uproar surrounding James Hardie’s waiver request prompted increased investor interest to strengthen shareholder approval requirements for major transaction involving listed companies. This prompted them to launch a process of review. As of 0026 GMT, shares of James Hardie rose 4.7%.
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Saigo, a Japanese player, wins Chevron in the largest major LPGA playoff ever.
Mao Saigo, a Japanese player, won the Chevron Championship after beating four other players in a sudden-death playoff. The 23-year old won his first major after being tied with Ryu Haeran of South Korea after three rounds. However, a few late mistakes led to a score of two over par on Sunday. She sank a birdie on the par five 18th hole to keep herself in it. She joined China's Yin Ruoning and South Korean Kim Hyo Joo as well as Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan from the United States, in the playoff. In a televised statement, she said: "It was important that I made a birdie on 18, and it gave me more confidence for the playoff." After both Yin, and Jutanugarn missed their birdie attempts, she won the match with a birdie on the 18th hole in the lone playoff hole, causing gasps in The Woodlands. Saigo said, "This is a dream." It was one of my biggest dreams and goals for this year, so I can't quite believe it. The LPGA's second-largest ever playoff was a six-person match-up, which had previously been recorded in non-major competitions. (Reporting and editing by Himani Sarkar in New York, Amy Tennery is based in New York).
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Alkane, an Australian company, will acquire Mandalay Canada in a $358 million merger deal
The companies announced on Monday that Australia's Alkane Resources would acquire Canada's Mandalay Resources through an all-share transaction valued at A$559.1 millions ($357.8million). This will create a combined gold and antimony manufacturer. The implied market capitalization for the merged entity is A$1.01 Billion. The merger is part of a global wave of consolidation in the gold sector, as miners take advantage of bullion prices nearing record highs for their own portfolios and operations. Mandalay shareholders receive 7,875 Alkane Shares for every Mandalay Share, a 55% ownership in the combined entity. The combined company is expected to produce over 180,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2026. It currently operates three mines, two in Australia and Sweden. Current Alkane Managing Director Nic Earner will lead the Australian-headquartered company, which will combine Alkane's recently expanded Tomingley gold operation with Mandalay's Costerfield gold-antimony mine in Australia and Bjorkdal gold mine in Sweden. Reporting and editing by Sandra Maler, Will Dunham, and Roushni Nair in Bengaluru. $1 = 1.5623 Australian Dollars
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Bessent doesn't support Trump in China tariff talks
U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said on Sunday that he didn't support President Donald Trump in his assertion that tariff negotiations with China are underway and he didn't know if Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, had spoken to him. Last week, the Trump administration showed a willingness to deescalate tense trade relations between China and the United States that have sparked fears of recession. Trump has confirmed that talks are taking place on tariffs with China, and he and Xi spoke. Beijing denies that trade talks have taken place. Bessent is a key player for the U.S. in trade negotiations with many countries. He said he interacted with his Chinese counterparts during meetings of the International Monetary Fund in Washington last week, but didn't mention tariffs. He said, "I had an interaction with my Chinese equivalent, but we focused more on traditional issues like financial stability and global economic early warnings," on ABC's This Week. Bessent said, "I do not know if Trump spoke with President Xi." "I'm sure they have a good relationship, and respect each other." Bessent was asked why the Chinese denied talks. "I think that they are playing to a completely different audience." Bessent did not provide a timeline for any possible agreement with China, despite his statement last week that the tariff negotiations with Beijing will be "slog". He said that a trade agreement can take several months to complete, but a deescalation of tensions and an agreement on principle can be reached sooner. This would prevent tariffs from increasing back up to their maximum levels. Trump's unpredictable and confusing tariff rollout has affected many countries, including the biggest U.S. trade partners like Canada, Mexico, and China. This has led to an unprecedented level of market volatility, and a serious erosion of investor confidence in U.S. assets. In an interview with a television station on Sunday, Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the United States and China were in daily contact over tariffs. She did not provide any further details. Rollins stated on CNN's State of the Union that "every day we are having conversations with China and those other 99,100 countries who have come to the table." Reporting by Doina Hesson and Ted Hesson, Editing by Don Durfee Mark Porter Sandra Maler
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Lavrov: Russia will continue to attack sites used by Ukraine’s military
In an interview broadcast Sunday, Russia's Foreign Minister said that Russia would continue to target military sites in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported 70 Russian attacks. Sergei Lavrov is the top diplomat in Moscow. He said that a deadly Russian phrase. Missile strike The attack on a Kyiv residential building last week did not target an "absolutely civil" target. Lavrov told CBS' "Face the Nation", in an interview taped Thursday, after the attack: "We will continue targeting the sites used either by the Ukrainian military or by mercenaries and instructors from other countries who are officially being sent by the Europeans to help target Russian civil sites." The strike that killed at least twelve people drew an audience of a rare rebuke The Russian President Vladimir Putin From the U.S. president Donald Trump On Friday, on social media "Vladimir STOP." Zelenskiy who? Trump met with his supporters On Saturday before, there was a big event in Rome Francis' Funerals On Telegram, he wrote that his top commander reported that Russia has already carried out nearly 70 attacks Sunday. He said that the situation was still difficult. The situation on the front line and the actual activity of the Russian Army proves that the current pressure from the rest of the world is not enough to stop this. ", he wrote Sunday. Lavrov said that Russia had never been offered to assist Ukraine in operating its Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. He said that Russia was willing to store Iran’s enriched nuclear materials if both parties agreed. United States I think that's useful.
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Greenland and Denmark affirm their alliance amid Trump's desire for US control
After talks in Copenhagen, Greenland's and Denmark's leaders agreed to intensify their relationship in response to the desire of U.S. president Donald Trump to take control of a strategically located Arctic Island. Greenland’s new prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielson landed in Copenhagen on Saturday, for a 3-day visit. The trip was a show of unity between Denmark and the island rich in minerals, which is a semiautonomous Danish territory. Nielsen, at a press conference held with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen, said: "We're in a foreign-policy situation that means we need to work together." Nielsen's visit comes after months of tension sparked by Trump's repeated statements that Greenland should be part of the United States. Leaders of Denmark and Greenland said that only Greenlanders could decide the future of their territory. They have had to tread a fine line between rejecting the U.S.'s ambitions to annex Greenland and maintaining good relations with their traditional ally. Nielsen stated, "We want to be treated with respect and are open to a stronger partnership (with the U.S.). We won't be sold as a piece property by anyone." Greenlanders are anxious about the ongoing expansion of the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. This agreement was made before Trump was elected. Nielsen didn't confirm or deny that he was in touch with the U.S. government since assuming office earlier this month. Nuuk and Copenhagen have a warmer relationship after Greenland’s former prime minister blamed Denmark in December for a "genocide" that occurred in Greenland. In January, he intensified his push for independence. Frederiksen stated that Denmark is ready to invest in Greenland more and support Greenland financial as Greenland takes on more responsibility for domestic affairs, taking it over from Copenhagen. This was part of a "modernisation", as she described their relationship. Nielsen and Frederiksen both said that they are committed to strengthening defense in the area. Denmark's King Frederik is set to travel to Greenland Monday as a show of solidarity. (Reporting and editing by Jacob GronholtPedersen, Louise Rasmussen, and Helen Popper.)
Asia shares remain steady; gold reaches record levels as trade war escalates
Asia shares rose and global markets tried to rebound after a brutal saleoff. Gold reached a new record as an increase in global trade tensions made investors nervous, causing them to flee into safe-haven assets. Stocks in early Asian trading rose as investors were relieved that a U.S. shutdown was unlikely. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer had said he'd vote to advance a Republican short-term funding bill and signaled his party's support.
U.S. futures for stocks rose in response. The Nasdaq futures were up 0.87%, and the S&P 500 futures were up 0.7%.
The FTSE Futures also gained 0.1% and the EuroStoxx 50 futures rose 0.04%.
Alvin Tan is the head of Asia FX Strategy at RBC Capital Markets. He said that this news, for today at least, was positive for market sentiment.
MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan, which measures the performance of stocks in that region, traded 0.2% higher. However, it was still on track to drop more than 2% this week as global trade conflicts impacted global stock markets. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that he will impose a 200% tariff on imports of European spirits and wine if the EU does not remove the retaliatory duties on American whiskeys and other products which come into effect in the next month.
Vishnu Varathan is the head of Asia ex-Japan macro research at Mizuho. He said that Trump is making it clear that, if someone were to retaliate against him, his counter-escalation would be even more sharp. The latest developments were the catalyst for the steep selloffs on Wall Street, and confirmed that the S&P 500 is in a correction. This comes just one week after Nasdaq also confirmed this.
"I don't think Trump 2.0 is the same as Trump 1.0. Michael Strobaek is the global chief investment officer of Lombard Odier. He said that this time the president appears to be willing to let U.S. stocks and the economy suffer as he implements his "America first" goals.
Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, has benefited from the trade war. The yellow metal hit a record of $2,990.09 per ounce last Friday. The yellow metal was expected to rise 2.6% this week.
Japan's Nikkei recovered from early losses and rose 0.12%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1% as well, but was on track for a weekly decline of 2.3%. China's CSI300 index of blue-chip stocks advanced by 1.4%, and is expected to increase 0.6% this week.
Dollar Trouble The dollar recovered some lost ground thanks to safe-haven flows on Friday, but it was still not far from recent lows due to fears of an imminent U.S. economic recession.
The euro traded at $1.0841 last, down 0.1%. Sterling fell by 0.05% to reach $1.2944. The fiscal reset plan of Germany, which includes a 500-billion-euro fund for infrastructure as well as sweeping changes in borrowing rules and growth boosters to boost military spending and revive the largest economy in Europe, has given additional support to the euro. The outgoing lower chamber of the German parliament will vote on these measures on 18 March before the formation a new Parliament on 25 March.
Investors will be waiting for further information on the rate outlook, amid the uncertainty surrounding Trump's policies on trade and the impact they have on U.S. inflation and growth.
"Our assessment shows that the rate trend is constant, and will continue to be lower." Varathan from Mizuho said that it's a matter of timing.
"I believe that the tariffs won't be a hindrance to the Fed cuts because, even if prices increase, it will still result in a negative shock of demand and the people will not benefit." The dollar last gained 0.3% against yen, at 148.25. However, it was on track for a small weekly loss versus the Japanese currency due to bets that more Bank of Japan rate hikes will occur. Next week, the BOJ will also meet.
Oil prices rose after falling the previous session.
Brent futures increased 0.54%, to $70.26 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures rose 0.6% to $66.66 per barrel.
(source: Reuters)