Europe

Solvay, a Belgian chemicals company, said it would pass on higher energy and transportation costs to its customers in response to the Iran War. Solvay says it will assess how the temporary closure of its Saudi Arabian-based joint venture peroxides would affect its business during the second quarter. It adds that the overall impact is limited. Vara Research had predicted a core profit of 220 millions euros, but the comments accompanying them showed that it fell to 219 million euros (257.37 dollars), a 12.4% decline. Solvay's Middle East sales are less than 5%, but since mid-March, production has been stopped...

Lanxess reported on Thursday a'muted' quarterly core profit, which was? broadly?in line with the market expectations. However, it said that March saw a slight improvement as customers began to turn to European chemical manufacturers to avoid any supply risks. The German specialty chemicals company stated that "a persistently weak economy, geopolitical uncertainty and last year's divestments" characterized the first quarter of 2026. It said that cheaper raw materials and pressure from?Asia on prices in certain segments also drove down selling prices. Since March, we've seen a slight improvement in the momentum. Due to the Middle East conflict, many Asian competitors'...

Pirelli announced on Wednesday that it would begin producing Cyber Tyres for the United States after Italy curbed its influence with Sinochem, the Chinese investor of the premium tyre manufacturer, in an effort to aid the company's expansion across the Atlantic. Italy's government resolved a dispute last month over Sinochem’s stake in Pirelli by using "golden powers". Sinochem, Pirelli's largest shareholder with a stake of 34.1%, was the cause of the dispute. Sinochem fears that Pirelli may fall foul of U.S. regulations restricting use of Chinese technology within?the automotive sector. Pirelli announced that it would manufacture its connected Cyber Tyre...

Guinea and Emirates Global Aluminium have reached an agreement to settle a long-running disagreement over the seizure its local operations, allowing the resumption bauxite shipment. The two companies released separate statements on the matter. The deal is subject to certain conditions. Guinea will pay an upfront sum to Abu?Dhabi based miner, in exchange for the transfer of Guinea Alumina Corporation assets to state-owned Nimba Mining Company. Financial details were not revealed. Guinea, the top producer of aluminium feedstock in the world, took over GAC's Bauxite Operations last year after a disagreement about plans to build an Alumina Refinery. The assets...

The company reported on Wednesday a higher-than-expected increase in profits for the first quarter, boosted by a record production and the fact that oil and gas prices rose in March because of the Middle East war. Equinor's poll of 23 analysts predicted $9.0 billion for the Norwegian energy group. This quarter, we?deliver exceptional performance in the field and record-high output... "We present strong financial results, combined with higher prices," said?CEO Anders Opedal in a press release. Equinor has maintained its decision to reduce share buybacks this year by 70%, despite the possibility of windfall profits resulting from Middle East supply...

Portugal's Finance Minister Joaquim Mirando Sarmento announced on Tuesday that the government would ask parliament for approval to impose a "windfall tax" on energy companies who benefited from an increase in energy prices due to the Iran War. Portugal, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as Austria, wrote to the European Commission in April to ask for a similar tax on a "European" level. However, Brussels let individual countries decide. Miranda Sarmento, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Portugal would "seek to achieve the highest level of coordination possible" with other countries. Miranda Sarmento, speaking to reporters in...

The Chambers of Commerce said that German exports will stagnate in this year. They lowered their previous forecasts for a slight increase as the companies in Europe's biggest economy are facing?supply-chain snarls, and uncertainty due to the Iran War. The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce had previously predicted a 1.0% rise in exports of both goods and services. Volker Treier is the head of DIHK's foreign trade. In a survey conducted by DIHK, 4500 German companies that operate abroad reported that high energy prices are a major business risk. This is more than twice the number of respondents in...

James Buchan has swallowed up his animosity towards Nigel Farage, a former Peterhead fisherman. The 38-year old's distrust for populist Reform UK leader, a Brexit campaigner, has been overshadowed by his concerns about the local economy. He said that the British government had destroyed the local economy through decades of disastrous policy. He plans to vote Reform this week for the first-time, believing that the party's promises to maximize oil and gas production in North Sea, as well as to restrict access to European fishing boats, are the best way to revive the fortunes of the town. Buchan said, "Some...

A survey on Tuesday showed that German companies operating abroad are more 'pessimistic' about their prospects. Nearly one-third of respondents expect economic conditions to worsen as the Iran War exposes vulnerabilities in global supply chains. In a survey conducted by the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) of 4,500 companies, 32% of respondents expected that the situation in their foreign locations would worsen?in 12 months. This is an 8-point increase from the last AHK World Business Outlook Survey conducted before U.S. and Israeli?airstrikes against Iran at the end February sparked a Middle Eastern war. According to the survey, the?disruption'...

Eni said on Monday that it would resume lifting Venezuelan crude in April as payment-in kind for gas produced?in Venezuela. The Italian energy group added?that?the move?would?allow?it to?recover?old receivables?from Caracas. Payments stem from an agreement between Venezuelan oil firm PDVSA, and Cardon IV - a joint venture owned equally by?Eni and Spain’s Repsol - that produces gas in the Perla field. The deal was signed in March. Eni stated that payments for gas are made in kind, and the first shipment from Venezuelan crude oil was lifted in April. Eni announced that the lifting of oil cargoes has resumed as U.S....

On 'Monday, the United Arab Emirates announced that it is in talks with the United States about a currency exchange line. "We are having this discussion and conversation with many.?It's a part of an elite group with whom the U.S. has this swap policy. "They only have it with five countries," Thani al Zeyoudi told a conference in Abu Dhabi. "To be part of this group means that the transactions...?trade, investment between both nations reach an level where that exchange is highly necessary...?so (it) is an elite issue, it's not about bailing-out," he said at the "Make It In The...

India's palm oils imports dropped 27% in April to a "one-year low" as refiners slowed purchases due to the sluggishness of demand from institutional buyers, and recent price increases that reduced its discount to competing oils. India's palm oil imports fell 27% to a?one-year low in April, as sluggish demand?from institutional buyers and a recent price rally that eroded?its discount to rival oils prompted refiners to curb purchases, five dealers said. Dealer estimates show that palm oil imports dropped to 505,000 tons in April from 689.462 tons in march. Imports of soyoil rose by 24% in April, compared to March,...

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...

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...

The Group of Seven Trade Ministers met in Paris on Wednesday to find common ground for securing vital?mineral? supplies that are dominated primarily by China. However, the United States' recent tariff threats against European Union made cars could strain unity. As ministers prepare to hold a summit of leaders in mid-June, Nicolas Forissier, the French Foreign Trade Minister said that France wanted critical minerals supplies among its most tangible deliverables. He said: "I think we'll make concrete progress in rare earths, critical minerals and supply chain security. We won't be held hostage to certain countries." There was a broad consensus...

The London Court of Appeal has ruled that BHP can't appeal against the UK ruling that found it liable for the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil. In November, London's High Court ruled BHP was legally responsible for the collapse of the Fundao dam in Mariana, southeastern Brazil, ?which was owned and operated by Samarco, a joint venture ?between Australia-headquartered BHP and Brazilian company Vale. Brazil's worst ecological disaster unleashed a toxic sludge wave that left 19 dead, thousands homeless, inundated?forests, and polluted?the length of the Doce River. The High Court refused BHP permission to appeal the ruling...

Nickel prices reached $20,000 for the first time since about two years as U.S. president?Donald Trump hinted at a possible peace agreement that would end the war with Iran. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange increased 1.1% to $13,284.50 a metric ton at 0804 GMT. This is its highest level since March 27. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract was up 1.6% to 102,660 Yuan ($15.029.98) a ton. The Chinese markets resumed trading Wednesday after the May Day holiday. LME nickel rose 1.4% to $19 915 per ton, after reaching $20,000, the last time...

Gold prices rose?more?than 2% on Tuesday after the?U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that a possible deal could be made with Iran. This sent the dollar and crude prices lower, as inflation fears waned. As of 0811 GMT, spot gold rose 2.7% to $4680.91 an ounce. This is the highest it has been since April 28. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose?2.7%, to $4693.20. U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will temporarily pause a mission to help escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He cited progress towards a comprehensive deal with Iran. Iran's foreign minister said...

The new CEO Berta De Pablos Barbier is struggling to deal with the weak consumer sentiment that has been affecting the U.S., Europe and the Middle East due to the "Iran War". Pandora is under pressure due to high U.S. tariffs on imports and an increase in the price of silver. The Danish company sells silver charms bracelets starting at $70, made in its factories in Thailand. The company's poll of analysts predicted a first-quarter revenue of 7.089 billion crowns, which sent the shares of Pandora up by 9% at?early trade. Sales in Europe, Middle East, and Africa declined by...

The gold price rose by 2% Wednesday due to a weaker dollar. Meanwhile, lower oil prices eased concerns about inflation and interest rates that would be higher for longer, in anticipation of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran. As of 0415 GMT, spot gold was up by 2% to $4,647.09 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose 2% to $4 658. U.S. president Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will temporarily halt an operation to help escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He cited progress towards a comprehensive deal with Iran. The gold price rose as...

Prices of copper rebounded on Wednesday after they hit a?three-week low, as investors benefited from lower prices. Meanwhile, U.S. prices rose on speculations about possible tariffs on the metal. Benchmark 'three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange increased 0.4% to $13,053 a metric ton, in open-outcry official trading after reaching its lowest level since March 13 at $12 780. Shanghai Futures Exchange was closed on Labour Day, which has a pronounced impact on trading. Since the Iran War, copper prices have been on the decline. The slowing of economic growth may affect demand for metals used in construction and electric...

Gold prices rose on Tuesday, but gains were modest as crude oil prices remained high and inflation fears remained alive. After a drop of more than 2% on Monday, spot gold increased 0.3% by 0417 GMT to $4,533.40 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for delivery in June rose 0.2% to $4,542.50. Ilya Spirak, the head of global macro at Tastylive, said that prices seem to have digested a little after the return of "war trade" across markets on Monday. Gains were however capped by the rise in Treasury "yields" and the dollar as an increase in crude oil stoked inflation...

The shares of German automakers fell on Monday after President Donald Trump decided to increase U.S. tariffs on imported European vehicles to a 25% levy from the previously agreed 15% levy, dealing 'a 'fresh blow to an already battered industry. As of 1046 GMT the pan-European auto and parts index had fallen 2.3%, while shares for Porsche, BMW Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen all fell between 2% and 3%. Trump claimed on Friday that Brussels had failed to comply with an agreement reached between Washington DC and Brussels in 2017 that reduced U.S. tariffs on automobile imports by 15%. The implementation by...

Thyssenkrupp announced on Saturday that it had 'paused' talks with India's Jindal Steel International about a potential'sale' of the 'German industrial group's' steel unit. This is a setback to CEO Miguel Lopez’s restructuring efforts. Reports in March indicated that discussions may be canceled due to disagreements over pension liabilities, investments, and energy costs. Four people who are familiar with the issue were cited. Jindal Steel International made a bid indicative?for Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in the past year. This led to months of due diligence, and negotiations on a possible purchase of Europe's?second-largest steelmaker. Thyssenkrupp stated that "the?original assumptions, and prerequisites...