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Central banks and global markets focus on Iran ceasefire report.
Investors were encouraged by reports that Iran is seeking to end hostilities against Israel and they remained confident about their predictions for the busy week of central banks meetings. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran is seeking a ceasefire following an attack by Israel on Friday, which sparked fears of a wider conflict and sent oil prices soaring. Stocks also fell as a result. Sources have confirmed that Iran asked regional allies press Donald Trump, the U.S. president, to convince Israel to accept a ceasefire. Geopolitics loomed large, and there were signs of cracks among the Group of Seven leaders who are meeting in Canada. Officials made contradictory statements on whether Trump would sign the draft statement that called for a de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. Peter Cardillo is the Chief Market Economist of Spartan Capital Securities, a New York-based brokerage. The market has rallied on this, I believe. After a wild session on Friday, Brent crude oil futures settled down at $73.23 a barrel, a loss of $1.00 or 1.35 %. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.75% in afternoon trading. This was just a little bit below the morning highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.90%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.45%. The 10-year Treasury note yield rose from 4.424% to 4.452% late Friday, after initially falling due to reports about Iran's outreach towards Israel. MSCI's global stock index rose 1.09% after the U.S. opening and continued to rise on the day, closing at 0.85%. The STOXX 600 index in Europe was boosted earlier in the day by a recovery in travel stocks. Gulf stocks were also up. Data showed that retail sales and industrial production were in line with expectations. FED MEETING IN FOCUS - MORE DATA TO COME Emily Roland, Manulife John Hancock Investments' co-chief investment analyst, says that a prolonged increase in oil prices may contribute to inflation. However, the recent movements are unlikely to have a significant impact on the Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Roland explained that the Fed relies on data and it can take time for oil prices to impact inflation figures (whether they are higher or lower). The Fed is likely to keep the markets on hold with no change in the Fed's view that there will be between 2 and 3 rate cuts of 0.25 percent by the end the year. The bond market still prices in two rate cuts for the year. We will see if we get a different result this week. The U.S. Retail Sales data will be released on Tuesday. It may show that auto sales are down, which could drag the headline figure down, even though core sales have increased. The weekly unemployment claims are released on Wednesday due to a market holiday on Thursday. This week, the central banks of Norway and Sweden will also be meeting. The latter is expected to lower rates. It is expected that the Swiss National Bank will meet on Thursday. The rate cut is likely to be at least one quarter point, if not more. There's a chance the rate could even go down to negative due to the strength of Swiss Franc. Bank of Japan policy meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Rates are expected to remain at 0.5%. However, the possibility of tightening rates later in the year remains. It is also possible that it will slow down the sale of its government bonds in the next fiscal year. Gold fell 1.24%, to $3389.71 per ounce.
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Texas startup sells fungi that eat plastic to reduce landfill waste
Could baby poop, fungi and landfill waste work together? This is the concept behind a new product from an Austin-based startup, which sells disposable diapers with fungi that are designed to break down plastic. Hiro Technologies MycoDigestible Diapers come with a packet containing fungi that should be placed in the diaper before throwing it away. The fungi will begin biodegrading after a few weeks when they are exposed to moisture in feces and urine. Disposable diapers are a significant contributor to landfill waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 4 million tons worth of diapers was disposed in the United States last year without any significant recycling or composting. It takes hundreds of years for diapers to decompose naturally. The very first disposable diaper is still sitting in a landfill. Hiro Technologies used fungi to combat this problem. These organisms, which include molds, mildew, and yeasts, derive their nutrients from organic matter. Researchers from Yale University discovered in Ecuador in 2011 a fungus that feeds on polyurethane - a polymer commonly found in plastic products. The researchers figured that the fungus Pestalotiopsis could survive in landfills, which are environments without oxygen. Tero Isokauppila is the co-founder of Hiro Technologies, a Finnish entrepreneur and founder of Four Sigmatic. He said that more than 100 species are now known to be able to degrade plastics. "Many moons ago, fungi developed to break down trees. Especially this hard-to -break-down compound called lignin. "Isokauppila explained that the carbon backbone in plastics is similar to its carbon backbone. Hiro Technologies has three sealed jars that show the decomposition stages of a diaper treated over time. Isokauppila says that after nine months the product looks like black soil, which is "just digested and basically earth". The company said it needed to do more research in order to determine how the product would decompose under real-world conditions and in different climates. It hopes to have data available to make "consumer facing claims" by next summer. The company also plans to test plastic-eating mushrooms on adult diapers and feminine care products. For the moment, "diaper packages" are being sold online for $35 per week. Miki Agrawal said that the MycoDigestibleDiapers have been generating excitement among consumers and investors ever since they launched about a year ago. She declined to provide details. Agrawal stated that the company chose to focus on diapers because they are the most common household plastic waste. Agrawal stated that "there is a detrimental lasting effect which we have not really thought about or considered." "Because, when you throw away something, no one asks themselves, "Where is away?"
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Barrick Mining's gold mine placed under state control Mali
A court in Mali on Monday placed the Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Complex under state control, a significant escalation in a dispute about taxes and ownership. The presiding judge announced that former Malian Health Minister Soumana Maadji will be appointed as the provisional administrator. This position is for a period of six months. Barrick has announced that it will appeal this decision. Barrick subsidiaries' gold stock was seized by the Malian government after it blocked gold exports. Barrick said in a press release that it believed these actions, which resulted in the temporary suspension its operations, weren't justified. Issaka K. Keita, a Barrick lawyer, said that justice was not served. Since January, the Loulo-Gounkoto Complex, which represented 14% of company output, was suspended amid a dispute between the company, the government, and over ownership and taxes. In May, the government, as a shareholder of the complex, asked the Bamako Commercial Court for an administrator to be appointed, signaling its desire to reopen it amid record high global gold prices. Barrick shares fell 0.7% on Monday morning in Toronto. The mines ministry of Mali declined to comment. Gold prices are on the rise and if the mine is reopened it could generate revenue of at least $1 billion in the next year. Barrick shares are lagging behind those of its peers, but the standoff risks restraining potential investors from Mali. Since 2023, the two sides have been negotiating over the implementation of the new mining code which increases taxes and gives the Government a larger share in the mines. They are trying their best to come up with a new contract that is in line the new law. According to sources familiar with the situation, Barrick's Mali mining license is due to expire on February 20, 2026. Barrick Gold, the company that used to operate this complex, stopped operations in mid-January, after the authorities confiscated three metric tonnes of its gold stock. The government had banned its exports since November 2024. Barrick has removed the complex's production forecast for 2025. Negotiations between the two parties continue outside of court. Mali has allowed Barrick to repatriate 20 percent of its earnings to an international bank account. This was an exception not granted to other foreign miner, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
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NOPA May US Soy Crush at 192.829 Million Bushels is below most trade estimates
According to data released by the National Oilseed Processors Association on Monday, the U.S. soy bean crush in May was lower than most estimates from the trade but reached its highest total ever for the fifth months of the year. NOPA members, who account for at minimum 95% of all soybeans crushed in America, processed 192.829 millions bushels of oilseeds last month. This is up 1.4% compared to the April crush, 190.226million bushels, and up 5.0% compared to the May 2024 crushing, 183.625million bushels. NOPA data revealed that it was the biggest May crush in history and the eighth largest for any month. U.S. crushing rates have increased as new plants opened and other facilities expanded their capacity to meet the rising demand for biofuels. Analysts said that the pace of processing has slowed in recent months from its maximum capacity due to a glut and narrowing margins at some plants. According to NOPA, the average daily crushing rate dropped to 6.220 millions bushels in may, from 6.341 millions bushels one month earlier. This is the lowest daily rate since September. A poll of 11 analysts found that the May crush was below the average estimate of 193.519 bushels. Estimates ranged between 188.500 and 195.933 millions bushels with a median estimate of 194.200. As of May 31, soyoil stock levels among NOPA member companies dropped to 1.373 bn pounds. This is down 10.1% compared to the 10-month high of 1.527 bn pounds reached at the end April, and down 20.3% compared to the 1.724 bn pounds of stocks one year ago. Seven analysts estimated that stocks would decline on average to 1.451 trillion pounds. The estimates ranged between 1.190 billion and 1.550 billion pounds with a median estimate of 1.482 million pounds.
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U.S. Steel shares rise after golden share details unveiled
U.S. Steel shares rose 5% Monday as the bid of Nippon Steel for the well-known American company neared the finish line. Details of the U.S. Government's golden stake were also revealed over the weekend. U.S. Steel's shares reached $54.86, just shy of the $55 Nippon Steel bid, after the Trump Administration gave the green light on the merger via an executive agreement and a signed order to ease national security concerns. This culminated a turbulent 18-month process. Questions arose about the "golden shares" that President Donald Trump suggested would give the American people 51% of the struggling U.S. company as part the acquisition. Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's social media post on Saturday stated that "President Trump secured a perpetual Golden Share in Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel." The share will prevent companies from delaying or canceling investments worth $14 billion, moving production or jobs overseas, or shutting down or idle plants in advance of certain deadlines, without the consent of the president. A U.S. official confirmed a New York Times report that this power could be granted by a single class of preferred stock called Class G, which stands for "gold". Nippon Steel committed that the majority of U.S. Steel board members will be American and that CFIUS would approve three of these "independent U.S. directors". The term sheet said that "U.S. Steel can reduce production capacity if and only when it is approved by the majority of Independent U.S. directors." It also stated that the core U.S. management will be U.S. Citizens.
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Greece firefighters put out a wildfire near Athens
On Monday, both a fire brigade official and a witness said that a Greek fire burning near a small village northeast of Athens seemed to be largely contained. A fire brigade official reported that 140 firefighters, assisted by 38 engines, 18 aircraft, and 18 helicopters, continued to work on bringing the blaze under control. The situation, however, had improved. Residents of Ano Souli village, located about 40 km (25 miles), and Marathonas town, nearby, were forced to evacuate earlier due to the flames. By early afternoon local time, a cameraman reported that the fire did not seem to be spreading. According to the official of the fire brigade, the absence of heavy wind, which can complicate firefighting efforts in Greece during the warmest months, helped contain the blaze. Greece, located at the southernmost tip of Europe, has experienced frequent floods and wildfires over the past few years. Scientists say that this has been made worse by a rapidly changing climate. In order to combat wildfires, the country has spent hundreds millions of Euros to compensate farmers and households for damages caused by extreme weather conditions. It also purchased new modern equipment to fight fires. In anticipation of a challenging fire season, Greece has hired an unprecedented number of firefighters. In 2023, one of Europe's biggest wildfires ever recorded burned for several weeks in northern Greece and killed at least 20 people. A destructive wildfire that spread from a mountain down to the built-up area on the edge Of Athens forced residents to flee. Reporting by Stamos Pausalis, Angeliki Koutantou and Antonis Pohitos. Editing by Gareth Jones & Barbara Lewis
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Leaders of the G7 strive for unity in face of escalating conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East
Leaders of the Group of Seven nations started their annual meetings on Monday. War in Ukraine and the Middle East have added to the global economic uncertainty. The host Canada is trying to avoid a confrontation with U.S. president Donald Trump. G7 leaders, including the European Union and representatives from Britain, Canada France Germany Italy Japan, the United States, and Canada are meeting in Kananaskis, a resort in the Canadian Rockies, until Tuesday. The summit in Canada, with the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, is seen as an important moment to restore some unity among democratic powers. Canada has given up on any attempt to adopt a comprehensive communiqué to avoid a repeat from a summit held in Quebec last year, where Trump had instructed the U.S. delegation to withdraw their approval of the final document after they left. Leaders prepared a number of draft documents, which were seen by us. These included one that called for the de-escalation in the Israel-Iran Conflict and others on migration, artificial Intelligence and critical mineral supply chain. According to sources familiar with the documents, none of the drafts have been approved by US officials. "I think there is a consensus on de-escalation." Keir starmer, British Prime Minister told reporters that it was important to get everyone on the same page and be clear as to how this could be achieved. The first five-months of Trump's second tenure have thrown Trump's foreign policy into disarray, raised concerns about his close ties with Russia, and led to tariffs against U.S. allies. The focus of Monday's talks will be the economy, trade agreements, and China. The temporary rise in oil prices that has occurred since Israel began its strikes against Iran on 12 June complicates efforts to reach an agreement on lowering the G7 price limit on Russian oil, even if Trump decides to opt out. On Monday, oil prices dropped on reports that Iran was seeking a ceasefire. Diplomatic sources say they are hoping to encourage restraint, and a return of diplomacy. "We are one." "Nobody wants Iran to get a nuke and everyone wants the discussions and negotiations restarted," France's president Emmanuel Macron said to reporters in Greenland, Sunday before he left for Canada. Washington has the ability to restart talks with Israel, he said. Trump said that many meetings and calls were being held to broker peace. RUSSIAN ELEPHANT INSIDE THE ROOM Trump, highlighting the unease of some Washington's allies on Saturday, spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He suggested that Putin could play a mediatory role between Israel and Iran. Macron rejected the idea. He argued that Moscow couldn't be a negotiator, because it started an illegal conflict against Ukraine. A European diplomat stated that Trump's suggestion demonstrated the fact that the U.S. was still thinking about Russia, even though it had been kicked out in 2014 for annexing Crimea. "In the U.S.'s eyes, there is no condemnation of Ukraine; no peace with Russia; and even now credit for its role in mediating Iran. The diplomat stated that this G7 will be tough for Europeans. The summit will be held on Tuesday. Both the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend. The European officials said that they were hoping to use this meeting and the NATO summit next week to convince Trump to take a more aggressive stance against Putin. Macron stated that the G7's goal should be to bring us back together, to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, which would lead to a robust, lasting peace. It is also important to see if President Trump will impose much stronger sanctions against Russia. (Suzanne Plunket contributed additional reporting; Caroline Stauffer, Paul Simao, and Rod Nickel edited the article).
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Orsted prefers to invest more in Taiwan and South Korea than in new markets in Asia.
Orsted, world's largest offshore wind developer will increase its investment in Taiwan and South Korea, where it already has projects. Instead of expanding into new markets in Asia a senior official at the company said on Monday. The Danish company has lost around 80% of the value of its stock market since its peak in 2021 due to rising costs, disruptions in supply chains and a loss of investor trust in offshore wind. Per Mejnert Kristensen is Orsted's Asia-Pacific President. He spoke on the sidelines at the Energy Asia2025 conference. Orsted, which is the largest offshore developer in terms of capacity, retracted its 2030 target of 35-38 gigawatts of installed renewable capacity this year. Chief Executive Rasmuserrboe now faces the challenge to revive investor confidence and meet the new realities of offshore wind industry. The company has 10 gigawatts of offshore capacity worldwide, including 0.9 in Taiwan. The company has also developed projects in South Korea, Australia and other countries. We know we live in a changing environment. Kristensen added that "we need to see clearly investmentable projects" and he hoped that other Asian countries would follow the policies of Taiwan's government. They have excellent wind conditions for offshore winds. Because they have shallow water, you can build fixed-bottom offshore wind parks on the ocean. On the political front, they were very ambitious and had a clear vision. They then managed to create offshore wind frameworks which made projects investable," said he. He said that international investors and local partners could see clearly a path to investment for the next 30-40-50 year. He said that while the political ambition was there in some countries, it wasn't always translated into commercially viable frameworks. (Reporting and editing by Susan Fenton; Sudarshan Varadhan)
Norway's parliament approves a new scheme of power subsidies for households
The Norwegian parliament passed on Monday a bill introducing fixed-price power contracts with subsidies for householders, which is the second scheme in the country to alleviate consumers' concerns about high and volatile power prices.
Norway is holding a general elections in September. The cost of living, and the competitiveness of industry are expected to be key topics.
The model, called Norway Price, offers consumers the opportunity to sign a contract with a fixed rate of 0.40 Norwegian crowns (0.041 USD) per kilowatt-hour (kWh), excluding fees. This initial period will run from Oct. 1, 2026 until Dec. 12.
Payments are limited to 5,000 kWh/month per household and 1,000 kWh/month per holiday home.
Norway Price aims to give consumers a predictable cost and is an alternative to the existing subsidy program introduced to respond to the rising costs during the energy crisis of 2022, which covers 90% all costs over 0.7 crowns/kWh.
The new model is expected to be adopted by 60% of households in southern Norway and 80% holiday home owners. It could cost up to 6.6 billion crowns by 2026.
Hydropower, which is abundant and inexpensive, has historically kept electricity rates low in Norway.
Since the 2022 European energy crises, however, consumers in southern Norway who are connected to other European markets by cross-border cables have faced higher and more volatile costs.
Former coalition partners Centre Party and Socialist Left have lent their support to the Norwegian Price law, introduced by the ruling Labour Party. The far-left Red Party also supports the law.
The government's proposal, according to critics, was too expensive, took away power-saving incentives, and increased prices for those who were not eligible. This included businesses. ($1 = 9.8811 Norwegian crowns)
(source: Reuters)