Europe

Spanish renewable energy company, 'Audax Renovables' announced on Thursday that it plans to make a voluntary takeover bid for Norway's Elmera Group. The bid is valued at 4.5 billion Norwegian crowns (US$456 million). Elmera also said that another strategic player had made a non-binding offer with a "significantly" higher price. Early trade saw Elmera's shares up by about 43% while Audax's shares fell 1.4%. The Norwegian 'company' said in a press release that it had entered into an?exclusive agreement and due diligence agreement? with the unnamed interested party, adding that this process has been ongoing for several weeks. * Elmera...

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy. Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate oil companies that have not reduced gasoline prices in line with the falling crude cost, accusing them of "gouging". The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for up to 35 billion dollars worth of Thaad interceptors?to replenish U.S. stocks after the 'Iran War. SK Hynix, a memory-chip giant, plans to raise more than $29 billion via a Nasdaq IPO to fund its expansion...

Eleven commodity day traders have offered to donate PS1million ($1.32 million) to a fund for crisis situations as part of a deal that will end a three year investigation by Britain's market regulator into possible violations of competition law. The Financial Conduct Authority announced on Wednesday that it considered the traders' obligations appropriate. This included changing how they handled sensitive information, annual training and a payment likely to exceed any FCA penalty. The traders who mainly traded in?energy futures have proposed to arrange a contribution to Crisis and Resilience Fund. This is a government scheme which?provides financial support to families...

SK Hynix, a South Korean company, said it planned to?raise up to $29.4billion through a U.S. -stock market listing. This would be one of the largest?listings globally. If completed at the top end, the deal would be the second-biggest share sale after a record $85.7 billion initial public offering by SpaceX earlier this month, surpassing Saudi Aramco's $25.6 billion IPO in 2019and Alibaba'ssimilar-sized offering in 2014. The planned listing reflects a strong global appetite for AI linked equities even as volatility rises across U.S. technology and semiconductor markets. This comes after Elon Musk's SpaceX and other record-breaking equity offerings in...

SK Hynix, a South Korean company, said it plans to raise as much as 45.45 trillion won ($29.43billion) through a U.S. IPO. The company is aiming to increase its 'investor base' and 'production capacity for artificial intelligence chips. The listing of American depositary receipts, if completed to the top, would be one of the largest ever in history. It is comparable in size with Saudi Aramco’s IPO scheduled for?2019. Investor and analyst reactions to the latest news: CLSA SENIOR ANALYST SANJEEV RANA "If (SK Hynix can) get a valuation multiple that is similar to Micron for example, the local shares...

United?Nations?Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on?Wednesday? that climate adaptation should be treated as an important priority by governments -- and valued appropriately by the financial system. As climate risks increase and funding gaps widen, this must become a top priority. Guterres said that as droughts, flooding and other extreme weather conditions affect communities around the world, adaptation has been chronically underfunded and undervalued. "Finance Ministers, Central Banks, Planning Ministries and Public Investment Authorities must 'treat climate risks as core economic policies in order to mobilize greater domestic resources," said he, urging government to 'incorporate climate risk into everything from fiscal policy...

The Republican-majority U.S. Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would halt U.S. military action against Iran. However, it is not clear what impact it will have on the war while President Donald Trump's Administration negotiates a deal with the Islamic Republic. The Senate voted in favor of a concurrent resolution that was passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month. This reflects a growing concern among Trump's Republicans over the unpopular conflict which began on February 28, despite the majority of Republicans voting for it. Four 'Republicans joined all Democrats except one in voting for the resolution. ?Two Republicans did...

Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Economy Minister said that Italy could not hold a national election this April as it would not allow enough time for the government to approve plans to devolve greater powers to regional authorities. Giorgetti responded to reports in Italian media and Bloomberg stating that Prime Minister Giorgia meloni could seek elections for April of next year. This would be a few month earlier than the deadline set by autumn 2027. Giorgetti told a conference organized by the newspaper La Verita that we could not vote in April in order to finish 'the parliamentary passage' (of the regional-devolution...

Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, the mines minister of Botswana, said that a'soft recovery' in demand for diamonds is taking place in important?consumer?markets like the U.S. Kenewendo stated that Botswana will maintain its supply discipline in order to support a struggling global gems industry, despite the early signs of demand recovering on key markets. Global market is in a long-term downturn because of 'economic uncertainty' and the popularity of lab grown stones. Debswana Diamond Company - Botswana’s joint venture with DeBeers?which accounts for 90% the country's sales of diamonds - temporarily halted production last year at some mines. Kenewendo said: "We will...

The U.S.-Iran diplomatic relationship has resulted in a reduction of gasoline prices for Americans. This is the sixth consecutive 'weekly drop, and a 15% decrease from the peak reached in May. According to GasBuddy, the?national average gasoline price fell by 14.1 cents per gallon in the past week. It was $3.85 a gallon on Sunday. Prices fell in the majority of states. GasBuddy data revealed that gasoline prices dropped by 25 cents per gallon over the last week in Colorado, 22 cents in Arizona, and 21 cents (per gallon) in Ohio. This drop could ease the pressure on 'U.S. Donald...

Gazprom shares fell below 100 roubles ($1.35) for the first time since 2009 on Monday, according to data from the Moscow Exchange. Gazprom shares have been hit by a number of factors, including Europe's decision not to buy Russian energy due to the conflict in Ukraine, the decline in oil prices as a result of progress made between the United States, Iran and the United Nations, as well as the failure to sign a new deal for gas with China. Analysts claim that the 'drone attack' on an oil refinery in Moscow, owned by Gazprom neft (the oil arm of...

Mediators said that U.S. officials and Iranian officials had made "encouraging progress" during a first round of discussions in Switzerland, which ended early Monday morning, despite the tensions over Lebanon and Strait of Hormuz. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the parties agreed on a roadmap to a final deal to end their war within 60 days. This was despite the initial tension as 'Tehran' again closed the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. president Donald Trump threatened to restart attacks against Iran. The two sides said they had agreed on a mechanism that would end the fighting between U.S.-ally Israel and...

Gold dropped for a third straight session on Friday, remaining near the more than seven-month high it reached the previous session as the dollar rose on expectations of a rate hike in the United States. Spot gold dropped 0.5%, to $3.982.49 per ounce at 1054 GMT. ?U.S. Gold futures for August deliveries edged down 0.3% to $3.997.60 an oz. The U.S. Dollar hit its strongest level in over 13 months on Thursday. This made greenback-priced metals more expensive for holders of other currencies. CME FedWatch data shows that 66% of the markets believe that the U.S. Federal Reserve is likely...

Gold prices are steady?on Friday?but remain near the seven-month low reached in the previous session as the expectation of interest rate increases in the U.S. weighs on the precious metal. As of 0843 GMT, spot gold remained at $3,999.33 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for August delivery slipped 0.2% to $4,014.90/oz. CME FedWatch data showed that the markets currently believe there is a 66% probability?that rates will be raised by the U.S. Federal Reserve in September. Nikos Tzabouras is a senior market analyst at Jefferies' Tradu.com. ETF outflows and the rotation to equities fueled by the AI boom, are factors...

Two merchant bankers confirmed on Thursday that Vedanta's wholly owned subsidiary is returning to the dollar bond market in nine months with a three tranche issuance. The issuance will primarily be used to fund Vedanta's buyback of high yielding notes. The bankers said that Vedanta Resource Finance II will raise money through bonds with a coupon of 7.25, 7.6250%, and 8.0%. The company didn't respond to an email asking for comment. They asked to remain anonymous because they aren't authorised to talk to the media. The bonds will be guaranteed by the parent company as well as its subsidiaries Twin...

On Wednesday, spot gold prices fell below the psychologically important?level? of $4,000 an ounce for the first time since 2025. This was due to a stronger U.S. dollar and growing expectations that interest rates would remain high. Dollar-priced gold is now more expensive to holders of other currencies. After the U.S. Central Bank struck a hawkish tone at its most recent policy meeting, traders have increased their bets that interest rates will rise in the U.S. this year. They also continue to worry about inflationary pressures due to the Iran War. Tai Wong, an independently-owned metals trader said that the...

The European Commission announced on Wednesday a series of'measures' to help Europol, the EU law enforcement agency, respond more quickly and effectively to cross-border crime. Europol warned in 2017 that organized crime groups were using AI scams to target their victims. Many governments continue to make it a priority to combat smuggler gangs who illegally transport migrants across Europe. * The Commission stated that 'Europol will create a?shared data space? and a sovereign cloud to enable investigators to more easily collaborate on joint cases. The Commission announced that the agency would also open support offices in EU member states, which...

Investors weighed conflicting signals about U.S. peace talks with Iran as they assessed the varying signals from U.S. and Iran. Gold spot fell 0.7%, to $4,081.24 an ounce, at 0751 GMT. It had earlier fallen to its lowest level since June 11. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery declined by 1.2% to $4.098.70. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Tuesday that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections in "infinity" while Tehran claimed it had not made such a concession during negotiations. This raises questions about whether their fragile peace agreement will survive. Both sides disagreed over the details of a...

Investors weighed conflicting signals about the U.S. - Iran peace talks as they assessed rising bets that U.S. interest rates would rise. Gold spot fell 0.5% at 0609 GMT to $4,088.97 an ounce, after hitting its lowest level since June 11. U.S. gold for August delivery fell 1% to $4106.30. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Tuesday that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections indefinitely. However Tehran claimed it had not made any such concessions during negotiations. This raises questions about their fragile peace agreement. Both sides disagreed on the specifics of a provision which would give Iran access to...

Gold fell on Wednesday, reaching its lowest level for 'almost two months, as the dollar rose amid rising bets that the U.S. would raise interest rates, and investors analyzed conflicting signals regarding the U.S. Iran peace talks. Gold spot fell 1%, to $4,067.51 an ounce, at 0236 GMT. It had earlier fallen to its lowest level since the 11th of June. U.S. gold contracts for August delivery fell 1.6% to $4.083.90. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections in "infinity" on Tuesday. Tehran denied this and said they had not made such a concession during...

The?U.S. dollar?hit a one-year high on Tuesday, outweighing support from lower oil prices amid progress in U.S.-Iran talks. Dollar?hit a year-high on expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. This outweighed support from lower oil prices in light of progress in U.S. Iran talks. By 11:45 am, spot gold had fallen by 1.2% to $4138.79 an ounce. ET (1545 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell by 1.1% to $4156.40 an ounce. The U.S. Dollar rose to its highest levels in over a year, making gold more expensive for foreign buyers. Right now, gold and silver don't look...

?Gold prices fell on?Tuesday as the U.S. Dollar hit a year-high on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike, which outweighed support from softer prices for oil amid progress in U.S.Iran negotiations. By 9:26 am, spot gold had fallen 1.7% to $4118.73 an ounce. ET (1326 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery?fell by 1.6% to $4135.60 an ounce. The U.S. Dollar rose to its highest levels in over a year, Tuesday. This made gold more expensive for buyers from abroad. "At the moment, gold and silver aren't looking at the Middle East." Bob Haberkorn is a senior market analyst...

Norilsk Nickel, the world's biggest palladium producer said that it expects to have a global palladium surplus of 0.3 million (Moz), excluding investments and stock movements, in 2026. The demand for palladium, excluding investments, is expected to reach 9.1 Moz by 2026, and 9.3 in 2027. Meanwhile, the supply will be at 9.4 and 9.5 respectively. Nornickel stated in a review of the market that preliminary estimates indicate investment demand for palladium may reach 0.3 Moz in 2026. This would effectively bring the market into balance. A similar trend is expected in?2027. Nornickel expects that global primary palladium output will...

CopperTech Metals aims to raise up to $3.57 'billion? in its U.S. IPO, joining a 'wave' of companies aiming for the crowded IPO market this summer. It said that the U.S. copper and cobalt company is looking to raise up to $423.5 by selling 23.5 million shares at a price between $16 and 18 per share. After a short lull, the IPO market is now booming. The stock markets are bouncing back and investors' appetite has increased. This week, e-bike startup Lime and silver?miner Sinda launched their U.S. initial public offerings. ITG, a digital infrastructure company, and Italian technology company...