Europe

U.S. Stock Futures traded in choppy trade on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. was reinstating its ban on Iranian shipping. Investors also 'picked through' the earnings reports from Wall Street’s largest banks. The U.S. Military carried out strikes against Iran overnight. President Donald Trump reinstated the blockade of Iranian ships and proposed charging a fee of 20% to guard Strait of Hormuz. S&P futures were 0.1% lower during early European trading, while Nasdaq's futures remained 0.5% higher. Brent crude futures rose around $2.80 to $86.19 per barrel, the highest since mid-June. U.S. Crude Futures rose $1.60...

Western governments are re-arming, but may be spending billions on the wrong arsenals. Drones and algorithms are just as important as tanks and missiles. Ukraine could be in a good position to show what the West needs today. Last week, at the NATO summit held in Ankara (Turkey),?U.S. The President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others noted that Ukraine was able to use drone technology to strike Russian energy infrastructure. They called this an "escalation," which they believed could lead to the resolution of the conflict. The European Union is looking to rearm itself, due to the...

Oil hit a new one-month high on Tuesday in Asian trading after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would reintroduce its blockade of Iranian ships and collect a?20%?fee for cargo crossing the Strait of Hormuz. After a volatile session MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan gained 0.2% as gains in Taiwan were offset by gains for South Korean stocks. S&P 500 futures e-mini edged up 0.1%. The CSI 300, which tracks Chinese stocks, rose 2% as export and import figures for June were released on Tuesday. These data exceeded economists' predictions. ING analysts reported in a research note...

Tuesday, oil prices rose and stocks fell in Asian trading after Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would re-impose its blockade of Iranian ships in the Gulf and charge a 20% surcharge on all cargo crossing Strait of Hormuz. After a volatile session, MSCI’s broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan fell 1.7%. The biggest declines were in South Korea and Taiwan, where shares at their lowest points exceeded 3%. Japan's Nikkei fell by 0.8% while S&P500 e-minis futures declined by 0.3%. The CSI 300, the benchmark for Chinese stocks, fell 0.4% less than the regional index after Tuesday's export and...

* Oil demand growth in 2026 is cut by 190,000 barrels per day (bpd) due to the impact of the Iran war * OPEC+ production?rises 3 million bpd by June as Hormuz flow starts to?recover * Reduced geopolitical tensions could give the economy some 'upside' in the second half of the year Olesya Astakhova & Alex Lawler LONDON - OPEC lowered Monday its forecast for the world's oil demand growth to 780,000 barrels a day. This is its third consecutive downward revision. The producer group has continued to predict a lower impact on consumption than other forecasters, such as the...

The oil prices soared?on?Monday as Iran increased its strikes against?Gulf States following US attacks, threatening energy?shipments through the Strait?of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose $2.34 or 3.08% to $78.35 at 2311 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.21 or 3.09% to $73.62 a barrel. The U.S. and Iran launched new strikes against each other over the weekend. This is the latest in a series of counter-attacks and attacks on shipping through the Strait. U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz was open for commercial?traffic. Iran had earlier declared that it had closed the Strait...

China said on Friday that it would increase cooperation with Namibia, particularly in the energy, agriculture, infrastructure and minerals sectors. This was during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Namibian president Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, which took place?in Beijing. Nandi-Ndaitwah is on a 7-day trip to China, since Sunday. He's seeking investment from China, the second-largest country in the world and the top lender. The goal of the trip is to implement the election promises to create jobs and diversify Namibia's economy. "In Namibia we affirm an unwavering commitment (to) this longstanding friendship" between Namibia and China, said Nandi Ndaitwah....

The International Energy Agency said on Friday that the recent escalation of hostilities between the U.S., Iran, and other countries could change its forecast of an oil surplus next year. Global supply increased in June after the Strait of Hormuz was reopened, but it still lagged behind pre-war levels. Last month, global oil markets were given some relief as a peace deal between the U.S.A. and Iran allowed the opening of Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this strait had effectively cut off up to 14 million barrels of crude per day during the height of the biggest oil supply...

After U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the interim?agreement to end the conflict with Iran "is over", global investors were reminded of the speed at which the oil?market could reignite concerns about inflation and volatility. Oil's 5% increase has pushed down inflation-sensitive assets like bonds and gold. Aneeka Gupta is the director of macroeconomics research at Wisdomtree. We expected "that the oil flow would return to the markets and that inflation expectations would be reduced". Everyone is watching oil After Trump's comments, oil prices jumped up to 6% to reach a new two-week high. Brent futures are still...

The central bank of Romania?held the benchmark interest rate to 6.5% on Wednesday as expected, due to the fact that inflation has fallen from double digits during the third quarter but is still a little above target. All the analysts surveyed by expected this decision. The bank expects the inflation rate to drop to 5.5% before year's end, but does not expect that it will return to its target range of 1.5%-3.5% until after the third quarter of 2027. The third quarter is expected to see a sharp drop in inflation as the effects of the higher electric costs and...

Oil prices rose by more than 5% Wednesday, while global stock and bond markets fell as investors fled risky assets after U.S. president Donald?Trump declared that the Gulf Conflict was over following the signing of a memorandum with Iran. Trump said that he didn't want to engage Tehran. He was speaking in Ankara, Turkey, ahead of the NATO summit. He said that dealing with Iran was a waste. After the U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged attacks in Gulf, market sentiment was already fragile. Brent crude futures jumped 5% to $78 per barrel, the biggest gain in a single day since...

On Wednesday, oil prices rose as U.S. sanctions against Iranian oil and renewed fighting in the Middle East threatened the ceasefire. Stocks were shaky because the record-breaking AI rally is running out of buyers. Brent crude futures rose 3.2% to $76.54 per barrel, which is still a far cry from the wartime peaks above $120, but it's enough to cause a stir in the bond markets by increasing inflation risks. This is especially true since months of conflict has reduced global inventories. Jason Wong is a senior strategist with BNZ Wellington. He said: "Obviously, the market does not like these...

Rio Tinto announced better-than expected second-quarter iron-ore sales on Wednesday, supported by strong system performance, putting it on track to achieve its annual forecast. Visible Alpha's consensus estimate of 83.6 Mt was surpassed by the world's largest producer of iron ore, which sold 85.3 Mt of the steel-making material from its Pilbara operations during the three months ending June 30. This compares to 79.9 Mt sold in the same quarter of last year. The average price in the first half of its Pilbara operations increased to $85.2 per wmt on a free-on-board basis, up from $83.2 last year. Rio's copper...

Gold rose more than 2% Tuesday, after inflation data that was softer than expected boosted expectations of the U.S. Federal Reserve taking a less hawkish position. Gold spot rose 2.1%, to $4.083.99 an ounce at 8:49 am EDT (1249 GMT), having fallen to its lowest price since July 1, earlier in the day. U.S. Gold Futures rose 2.2% to $4091,80. Other currency holders can now afford greenback-priced gold because the U.S. Dollar has fallen by 0.6%. "Gold gallops higher on a subdued CPI that saw headlines dive lower, but more importantly core unchanged?versus 0.2%. "This should reduce expectations for rate...

Gold gained a little?on?Tuesday, reversing its course after?hitting a?two-week low earlier... in?the session. The focus was on the U.S. Consumer Price Index and Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh's testimonies for clues about monetary policy outlook. Spot gold increased 0.5% at $4,021.38 an ounce to 1100 GMT after dropping to its lowest level in the session since July 1. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery gained 0.6% to $ 4,029.20. Ricardo Evangelista, ActivTrades analyst, said that gold prices were edging up a bit today. This was due to a pause on the recent rally of the U.S. Dollar. Dollar-priced gold is...

Northern Minerals announced?on?Tuesday that Australian Treasurer, Jim?Chalmers, has ordered three 'offshore 'investment firms - including Hong Kong Ying Tak - to refrain from exercising voting rights within the rare earths developer. Foreign Investment Review Board of Australia (FIRB) has said that Hong Kong Ying Tak and?British Virgin Islands registered Real International Resources as well as Hong Kong registered?Qogir Trading & Service have failed to comply to earlier government 'orders to reduce stakes in Northern Minerals. In May, Treasurer Chalmers?ordered offshore shareholders to divest by July?2 their?holdings over concerns that Chinese-linked groups were seeking control of rare-earths mining company. Ying Tak's...

Gold prices dropped nearly 3% Monday after U.S. president Donald 'Trump' said he would reinstate a naval blockade against Iran. This would boost oil markets and reignite inflation fears, as well as raise the prospect of longer-term higher U.S. rates. By 10:38 am EDT (1438 GMT), spot gold had fallen 2.8%, to $4.005.59 an ounce. This was the lowest price since July 1. Prices fell for a second consecutive session. U.S. Gold Futures fell 2.4% to $4013.40. The Middle East conflict is causing oil prices to rise, and the Federal Reserve could tighten policy. This is bad for gold and...

Gold prices dropped more than 1% on Sunday as fresh strikes in the Middle East sparked inflation fears, raising the prospect of longer-term interest rates in the United States. By 9:08 am EDT (1304 GMT), spot gold had fallen 1.4%, to $4.064.02 an ounce. Prices fell for a second consecutive session. U.S. Gold Futures fell 1% to $4 071,80. "I'm not bullish on gold for the short term." The Middle East conflict is causing oil prices to rise, and the Federal Reserve could tighten policy. This is bad for assets that yield nothing, like gold", said?Fawad Rasaqzada at Forex.com. He...

Gold prices fell for a second session in a row on Monday, as renewed?hostilities? in the Middle East fueled inflationary fears and raised expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high for longer. By 1100 GMT, spot gold had fallen 1.4%, to $4.061.64, while U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery were down by 1.1%, to $4.069.60. U.S. forces and Iranian drones have exchanged heavy attacks, including missiles and drones. Tehran has also hinted at the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. On hearing the news, oil prices rose by over 3%. "Renewed hostilities (in the Gulf) rekindle...

De 'Beers announced on Monday that it will pause production at its Venetia Mine in South Africa for a period of two years. This is part of an overall effort to streamline operations and reduce costs in order to cope with the continued weakness in rough diamond trading. Anglo American is the majority owner of the diamond producer. The company said that the move would delay and reduce some expenditures on an underground mine project, but maintain investment in infrastructure for a higher level of production when the market conditions improve. Venetia is South Africa's biggest diamond mine in terms...

Gold prices fell for a second session in a row on Monday, as renewed 'hostilities' in the Middle East fueled inflationary fears and raised expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high for longer. Spot gold fell 1.2% at $4,072.49 an ounce as of 0847 GMT. U.S. Gold futures for August were down 0.8% at $4,081.30. U.S. forces and 'Iranian forces have exchanged heavy drone and missile assaults. Tehran has targeted U.S. facilities in states on the other side of the 'Gulf, and hinted at the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. On hearing the news, oil...

Gold was down on Friday and set to lose a 'weekly loss' as concerns about the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy were fueled by rising crude oil prices and tensions between Iran and the United States. By 1106 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.4% to $4105.97 an ounce, a decline of about 1.6% over the past week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 0.6% to $4114.80 an ounce. Han Tan, Bybit's chief market analyst, said that spot prices "may again test $4,000 per ounce as a psychological support level should tensions escalate and oil prices extend their recovery." The...

Emirates Global Aluminium announced on Friday that its Al Taweelah refinery in Abu Dhabi had restarted the production of feedstock for aluminum smelting. The restart has raised expectations of a faster than expected recovery in aluminium production, after disruptions caused by war with Iran. It also added pressure on benchmark prices for aluminum at the London Metal Exchange. The contract was last down 1.5%, at $3.152 per metric ton. In early July, EGA announced that it would restore production at the Al Taweelah Complex earlier than expected, although hot metal production could take up to one year to return to...

Gold?edged down on Friday - and was on course for a 'weekly drop, on fears that escalating U.S. - Iran tensions would fuel inflation. This could keep the Federal Reserve hawkish in its monetary policy. Gold spot fell by 0.2%, to $4.113.02 an ounce at 0735 GMT. It was on track for a weekly drop of 1.5%. U.S. Gold Futures for August?delivery fell 0.4% to $4121.90. Tim Waterer is the chief analyst at KCM Trade. He said that gold was in consolidation mode after yesterday's gains. Traders were hesitant to commit to further upward movement due to the uncertainty surrounding...