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Citgo Petroleum, a Venezuelan-owned U.S. refining company, reported on Thursday that its profit jumped from $100 million to $936 in the second quarter due to strong refining margins resulting from global supply disruptions. Ownership of the 829,000-barrel-per-day Houston-based ?refiner could change to an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management if a court-ordered auction to ?pay Venezuela-linked creditors completed in Delaware last year is ultimately approved by the U.S. Treasury Department, ?which remains pending. The company reported that a tight supply-demand balance, as well as a geopolitical premium, characterized the quarter. The U.S. and Israel war on Iran, as well as shipping...

On Thursday, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that his government will reintroduce some measures to reduce 'fuel prices' in 'the last two weeks of august. He said that the Energy Minister would announce daily maximum fuel prices from August 17 to August 31. Tusk said to reporters that "we have decided to restore a significant portion of the CPN program (lower fuel price)". He said that the VAT reduction should translate into a'reduction in fuel costs of 0.90 to over 1 zloty ($0.2682) each litre depending on the type or gasoline or diesel. Poland, like many other countries...

What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets The July consumer inflation report was not spectacular, but it did offer some relief to the markets who were worried about a surprise on the upside. The annual headline and core rates were lower than expected. However, the core price increase for July was higher than forecast. Below, I will get to that and more. Check out my latest article, which explores AI's impact on inflation and employment so far. Listen to the most recent episode of Morning Bid, the daily podcast. Subscribe...

Oil prices fell on Wednesday as traders awaited the outcome of talks to end Iran's war. U.S. inflation data showed only a small increase, which dampened some expectations about a Federal Reserve rate hike. The U.S.-Iran talks were at a standstill. Both the United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have reported separate attacks on ships. Oil prices fell as investors took into account lower demand expectations. Data released on Wednesday showed that U.S. consumer price index increased by 0.1% in July. This was in line with the expectations. This small increase may weaken the case for a Federal Reserve interest...

Oil prices and global equity markets increased after the talks to end Iran's war reached an impasse. The markets then turned to the U.S. inflation data later that day. The?U.S. Consumer prices data will provide signals about the timing of a Federal Reserve rate increase. The data may not reflect the latest rise in oil price, but it can still be used to set expectations for next month's Fed meeting when the money markets predict a roughly 50/50 chance of an increase. According to a survey, consumer prices are predicted to rise by 0.1% in the month of July after...

Three industry sources have confirmed that the Sibur Zapsibneftekhim Petrochemical Complex in Tobolsk (in western Siberia's Tyumen region) was damaged by a drone attack on Monday. Sources said that the plant, Russia's largest liquefied gas plant, was closed indefinitely while the damage and its effects were assessed. Regional Governor Alexander 'Moor' said on Monday that an industrial site had caught fire in the Tyumen area following a drone attack, but he did not name the facility. Sibur declined to comment on an inquiry. The St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange has not offered any LPG deliveries from the Tobolsk loading station...

What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets Brent crude traded at almost $90 per barrel on Tuesday, after a 5% increase yesterday. The U.S.'s and Iran's hard-line positions on any potential deal have shattered hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. Below, I will go into more detail. Check out my column about Trump's latest attack on the independence of the Federal Reserve - and how it comes at a nervous time for bond markets. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast where we talk about Nvidia's $500 Billion AI...

The oil prices remained steady?on Tuesday? at a level higher than a week ago?despite fading hopes of an agreement between the U.S.A. and Iran that would end their war and open the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump demanded damages for the U.S. Brent crude futures remained flat at $87.81 per barrel at 0013 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude?futures stayed at $82.20 per barrel. Both benchmarks rose by more than 5% Monday, reaching their highest level since July 31. Trump's response to Iran’s conditions for a deal was to demand that Iran pay compensation for those killed in...

Authorities said that at least 13 people, including a child, were killed and 39 others injured by a Ukrainian drone strike on industrial and civil targets in Nizhnekamsk. This is the highest civilian death toll in Russia for months. According to Russian media, the attack also targeted a major oil refinery in the Tatarstan Region, located about 800 km (497 mi) east of Moscow. In a press release, Russian investigators announced that they had opened a criminal investigation into the attack they deemed a terrorist act. They said that Ukraine struck residential areas in which a child was killed. Radmir...

Asian share markets followed Wall Street's lead on Monday, after a weak U.S. employment report reduced the risk of an increase in borrowing costs near-term. However, a lackluster progress in Gulf peace negotiations saw oil prices rise. Iran said?on Sunday? that an agreement with Oman to define new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages. However, it reiterated that this waterway will only be reopened once the United States meets other conditions. Brent crude increased 0.6% to $84.04 per barrel, as the shipping volume through this vital waterway was minimal. U.S. crude climbed 0.5% to...

Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the day will bring for European and global markets. Asian stocks are mostly higher following the Wall Street rally on Friday, but European share futures are down as oil prices rise amid confusion about the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed over the weekend that the'strait' would become "irrelevant", as oil will eventually be redirected via pipelines. This gave analysts the impression that the White House is trying to wash their hands of this whole matter. Iran announced on Sunday that it was nearing completion of a deal to define...

China is doing all the heavy lifting to reduce crude oil demand in?Asia as a way to compensate for the reduced shipments of Middle East oil due the the Iran?war. The world's largest oil importer reported arriving 8.41 million barrels a day (bpd), up from a near decade-low of 7.12 mln in June, but still 24.3% less than July last year. When June and July imports combined, this gives a?average of 7.78 million bpd over the last two months. The average for the three-month period ending in February was 11,99 million bpd. This is 4,21 million bpd less. The United...

Investors were awaiting key U.S. data on inflation that could change policy expectations. This led to a rise in gold prices?on Wednesday. By 0713 GMT, spot gold had gained 0.9%. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery rose by 0.5% to $4464.80. Bullion reached a 10-week-high on Tuesday, before hitting technical resistance around the 100-day moving?average of $4,387. It then closed lower for the second time this month. The primary driver of gold prices is the Fed's reduction in rate hikes, according to Kelvin Wong. He is a senior analyst at OANDA. "In terms of the technical position, we began to?see...

Gold edged up on Tuesday, after reaching a?peak? of more than two months earlier. Market participants are awaiting important U.S. Inflation figures that may influence expectations about the Federal Reserve’s policy. Gold spot was up 0.2% to $4,396.87 an ounce by 11:05 am EDT (1505 GMT) after reaching its highest level in the session since June 5, at $4434.84. U.S. Gold Futures rose 0.8% to $4456.10. The market will be looking at this week's data to confirm that inflation is under control, said Peter Grant, senior metals analyst and vice president of Zaner Metals. He added that a moderated annualized...

China's coal exports increased to the highest level this year in July, but that strength is based on short-term factors and unlikely to last. According to data released by the government last week, total coal imports in July were up 23% from last year's same month to 43.73 millions metric tons. It was up from 42.78 millions tons in June, and nearly a third higher than the low of 33.1million tons for April this year. After 82 miners were killed in an accident at a mine located in Shanxi Province on May 22, China began imposing safety inspections in mines....

Aluminum?prices rose to a seven week high on Tuesday, as 'concerns about supply from the Gulf coincided wth Norsk Hydro announcing a reduction in feedstock production?at?its Brazilian facility. Benchmark three-month "aluminum" on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.9% at 0850 GMT to $3,378.50 per metric ton, after reaching $3,382.5 as its highest level since June 22. Aluminum extended its gains for a seventh session in a row after Norsk Hydro announced that its Alunorte facility in Brazil had reduced alumina production to 50% of its capacity due to the reduction of natural gas supply. The plant's annual production capacity is...

The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had carried out overnight strikes on military-related transport and logistics centres located in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. It also said its forces struck a major steel and iron works in Zaporizhzhia which was aiding Ukraine's efforts in Zaporizhzhia. The Ukrainian government said that the 'attacks' had caused the deaths of six people in Zaporizhzhia, in the south-east and 20 injuries in Kyiv. ?Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. The Russian Defence Ministry announced that it had struck a sorting facility in Kyiv, which, according to the ministry, was responsible for storing...

Investors focused on inflation data to get clues about the U.S. rate outlook. Gold spot was down 0.3% at $4,374.82 an ounce as of 0548 GMT after reaching its highest level in the session since June 5, $4,434.82. U.S. Gold Futures increased 0.4% to $4435.00. Ahmad Assiri is a Research Strategist for Pepperstone. He said that the move higher in gold's early session trading above $4,400 was primarily driven by renewed flows and a noticeable shift in metal market sentiment. If?this change of sentiment continues to attract more flows, this could be an important factor in determining if gold can...

China's coal exports surged in July to their highest level this year. But the increase is based on short-term factors and will not last. According to data released by the government last week, total coal imports rose 23% from July last year to 43.73 millions metric tons. The increase was from 42.78 millions tons in June and nearly a third higher than the lowest level of?this year, which was 33.1 million tonnes from April. This rebound comes after China implemented safety inspections in mines following an accident that left 82 people in Shanxi Province dead on May 22, China's largest...

Gold prices fell on Monday due to a stronger dollar and investors awaiting key U.S. data about inflation that could influence expectations of the Federal Reserve. By 09:33 am EDT (1333 GMT), spot gold had fallen 0.2%, to $4335.27 an ounce. After an unexpected decline in U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls, it reached its highest level since Friday. U.S. Gold Futures dropped 0.1% to $4,394.00. Jim Wyckoff is a market analyst at American Gold Exchange. He said, "Gold is under pressure from the firm dollar index today and is taking a break?ahead?of a key inflation report due later this week." Dollar-priced gold...

Aluminium prices rose on Monday for the sixth consecutive day, reaching their highest level in nearly seven weeks, as exchange inventories continue to deplete. Open outcry activity on the benchmark?three-month aluminum at the?London Metal Exchange increased by?1.2% to $3,320 per metric tonne. The price of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange had earlier reached $3,336.50 - its highest level since June 23. Ewa Mnthey, ING commodities analyst, said that the recent rally of copper, which reached a six-month peak last week, has reinforced a bullish sentiment in industrial metals. She added that "Aluminium fundamentals are still supportive with low exchange...

Gold prices fell on Monday, despite hitting a seven-week peak in the previous session. The stronger dollar was to blame, and investors are looking forward to inflation data, which will provide new clues about the policy direction of central banks. As of 1122 GMT, spot gold was down 0.2% to $4,332.68 an ounce. After weak U.S. payroll data, prices hit their highest level since June 17, on Friday. U.S. Gold Futures dropped 0.2% on Monday to $4,391.60. Dollar gained 0.2% making greenback bullion prices more expensive for holders of other currencies. Gold remains capped by the U.S. - Iran conflict...

Gold prices fell on Monday, as investors took profits following a seven-week high. Meanwhile, markets waited for new clues from U.S. inflation figures to determine the Federal Reserve's rate policy. As of 0200 GMT, spot gold was down 0.5% to $4,322.28 an ounce. After a weaker than expected?U.S. jobs data. U.S. Gold futures dropped 0.4% on Monday to $4,381.60. Gold is slightly lower as it succumbs a little to profit-taking after last week's NFP-inspired gains. This is more of a natural stabilisation than a significant shift in sentiment. I expect gold will remain above $4,300 in the near term. The...

The U.S. Patriot system, first used in 1991 in the Gulf War, has seen a sharp increase in demand this year. Supplies of interceptors have been depleted due to the war in the Middle East and Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. Ukraine urgently seeks more Patriot interceptors to defend itself against the nightly barrages of Russian ballistic rocket strikes. The Iran War has depleted the arsenals of the U.S., the Gulf and some European countries. Here are some details on the Patriot air defense system, which is one of the most sophisticated weapons in the U.S. arsenal. What is...