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Australian shares finish higher as gold miners and banks fall, but banks do well
Australian shares ended modestly higher Monday as financials were lifted by investors seeking refuge in bank stocks. Profit-taking among miners and gold producers also capped gains. The S&P/ASX 200 Index, which had been trading flat throughout the session, finished 0.4% higher, at 9,031.90. The benchmark index closed Friday 0.8% lower. Financials grew 1.5% as investors sought temporary refuge in heavyweight subindex. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade Global. He said: "Financial shares have shown a strong track record of generating bumper profit this year, so it's not surprising to see this industry experiencing strong buying flow today." Gold stocks, on the other hand fell as much as 5% intraday, their biggest percentage drop since July 9 Hayden Bairstow is the managing director and head of research for Argonaut. He said that some profit-taking likely contributed to the decline in gold stocks. Hayden added, "We remain positive on gold but see upward movement from the current levels." Sector has increased by over 11% compared to its previous session in October. Evolution Mining, a gold miner, fell by 4.9% while Northern Star Resources finished 3.6% lower. The mining stocks dropped by as much as 2,4% due to lower copper and gold price, while the weak economic data coming from Australia's main trading partner, China further soured sentiment. BHP Group, the mining giant, lost 1.1% while South32 dropped 3.1%. Energy stocks finished 0.4% higher, and technology stocks gained 0.9% in line with their U.S. counterparts. Real estate and industrials both added almost 1%. The benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index in New Zealand gained 0.4% and ended at 13,344.96. Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee and Atharva Singh from Bengaluru, editing by Nivedita Battacharjee
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Indonesia loses up to $2.4bn a year due to illegal tin activity, says president
The illegal tin mining, and smuggling tin ore costs Indonesian government between 30 trillion rupiah to 40 trillion (US$1.8-$2.4) billion per year. President Prabowo said this on Monday when he called to action to "save Indonesia's entire wealth." Prabowo speaking at a ceremonial event where the Attorney-General handed over 13 trillion rupiah to the government that had been seized in a corruption case against Three palm oil companies The authorities need to investigate more cases of misconduct within the natural resource sectors. He said, "I will continue to pursue the misappropriated money," as he stood before piles of rupiah notes, which were part of the confiscated money. The government has intensified efforts to crackdown on illegal activities in the natural resource sectors, such as tin or palm oil. Prabowo stated that the ceremony. In the first half of this month, Attorney General also Hand over tin assets Smelters and other equipment were confiscated in a case of corruption.
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Holcim signs 1.85 billion euro agreement to purchase walling specialist Xella
Holcim announced a deal on Monday to buy German walling system maker Xella for 1.85 billion euros ($2.16 billion). This is the largest acquisition by Holcim under CEO Miljan Gutovic since he assumed control in May 2024. The acquisition reflects Holcim’s strategic shift from its core cement businesses to expanding its building products segment, including roofing and insulation systems. Gutovic said that Holcim is focusing on sustainable construction as part of its strategy. "Xella will enhance our customer offering on the highly lucrative EUR 12 billion+ walling markets, with opportunities for cross-selling and system-selling," said the Chief Executive in a press release. Holcim reported that Xella, based in Duisburg in Germany, has over 4,000 employees and is active in 21 of Europe’s most attractive markets. Xella, a company that uses brands such as Ytong Silka Hebel Multipor and Hebel for its products, is expecting sales of 1 billion euros by 2025. Holcim stated that it paid a multiple 8.9 times Xella’s projected earnings before interest tax and depreciation (EBITDA) for 2026. It also said the acquisition was expected to have a positive impact on earnings in the first year. The Swiss company stated that it expected to complete the deal in the second half 2026. ($1 = 0.8570 euros) (Reporting and editing by Kirstiknolle, Kirsti Revill)
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Indian shares are rising as earnings continue to be positive; Reliance and HDFC Bank both record highs.
India's equity benchmarks rose Monday, led largely by a rally after results in the index heavyweights, private lender HDFC Bank, and oil-to -telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries. Profit booking at ICICI Bank capped gains. As of 10:09 a.m. IST, the Nifty 50 index rose by 0.45% to 25,828.75. The BSE Sensex gained 0.51% to 84376.21. Early trade saw both benchmarks rise by 0.8%, bringing them within 2% from the highs of September 2024. Fourteen out of 16 major sectors posted gains. The small-caps were flat, while the midcaps gained 0.6%. HDFC Bank, the largest private lender in India, rose by as much as 1.7% to a Record high After posting a higher than expected profit for the second quarterly on stable loan growth and increased trading income. The stock has lost some of its gains and is now trading at about 0.5% higher. Reliance Industries increased by 3.4%, reaching a new high of three months. Terming Positives include the core earnings of the company, retail sales and an improving outlook for earnings. ICICI Bank is also a good option. Analysts are predicting a 2% decline in profits despite the fact that they beat expectations in the third quarter. They also predict a softer growth in loans and deposits, but maintain a positive outlook. Prior to its Saturday results, the private lender's performance in previous sessions had been positive. Master Capital Services' assistant vice president for research and advisory, Vishnu Kant Upadhyay said, "Positive quarter earnings, festive demand, and optimism regarding the India-U.S. Trade Talks have all contributed to the upward momentum of the markets and strengthened investor confidence." Ultratech Cement, among other stocks, fell by 0.7% following the release of results that were below most analyst's expectations due to higher costs. Brokerages have reiterated that they are optimistic about the earnings of the top cement maker in the country for the second half fiscal year 2026. Ultratech's stock had gained 2.5% over the last three sessions. RBL Bank jumped After Emirates NBD's record-breaking $3 billion investment, the private lender has seen a 6% increase in its share price.
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The Takaichi Trade makes a Comeback in the Morning Bid Europe
Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Since the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party formed a coalition to form a government, the Takaichi Trade has been in full flow. This brings Japan closer to the first female Prime Minister. Analysts believe Sanae Takaichi will be in favor of stimulus and against any further interest rate hikes. This is a negative for the Japanese yen, but positive for stocks. The Nikkei jumped to an all-time record high of 2,9%, and the yen fell modestly. Even the ultra-long JGBs attracted a bid. Perhaps on relief, there would be an actual government, even if it is a minority. JAPAN BUTTRESSES ASIA MARSKETS AFTER MIXED CHINA data Nikkei's jump helped to lead Asia higher as markets navigated a mixed bag of Chinese economic news. The Chinese economy outperformed expectations by growing at a rate of 1.1% in its third quarter, compared to the three months before. However, the pace of growth on an annual basis slowed down as expected. The industrial output was also above expectations, while retail sales and home prices were in line. The data was solid enough for China to feel confident that it can last longer than the United States during a trade conflict, and President Trump admitted that 100% tariffs are not sustainable. The Five-Year Plan was discussed by top Chinese policymakers this week, but investors had long since given up expecting any aggressive stimulus. Analysts also weren't sure what to think of the news that China's chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang was removed from his position as the country’s permanent representative at World Trade Organization. US WORKS ON DELIVERING DATA DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN The government shutdown in the U.S. is not going to end soon. And the longer it continues, the greater the impact on the economy, even though markets are complacent right now. The statistics bureau makes a special effort on Friday to release the CPI, as it is required for all kinds of indexing including TIPS. The Federal Reserve's refusal to back down on the near 100% probability of a rate cut this month should not change the expectations for an acceleration in core inflation. Companies reporting earnings include Tesla, Ford and GM. Also, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and RTX, the aerospace and defense giant, as well as tech giants IBM and Intel. Markets punish results that do not blow the roof off. Options suggest that the average share price will drop by around 6% for even the slightest disappointment. BofA predicts earnings growth of 11 %, driven by a 20 % rise in the technology sector. Nvidia is responsible for a quarter growth in earnings per share. Market developments on Monday that may have a significant impact * Isabel Schnabel, ECB board director, participates in a panel. Erik Thedeen, Governor of the Riksbank, discusses economic conditions German Producer Prices for September
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Shanghai copper prices rise as China's industrial output data is strong.
Shanghai copper gained on Monday as China's stronger-than-expected industrial output helped to boost sentiment even as the country's economic growth slowed to a one-year low. As of 0330 GMT, the most active copper contract traded on Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 1.26%, trading at 85,790 Yuan ($12,041.88) a metric ton. The benchmark copper for three months on the London Metal Exchange increased by 1.06%, trading at $10 717 per ton. Data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that China's industrial production grew 6.5% on an annual basis in September, up significantly from the 5.2% growth in the previous month. This figure is a new high for three months and beats the forecast of 5.0%. The data released on Monday also revealed that China's gross national product (GNP) grew at a slower pace than in any other quarter in the past year. It was down from 5.2% growth in the second quarter. The second-largest global economy, which grew by 5.2% over the first three-quarters of this year, is targeting a growth rate of around 5% for the entire year. The next five-year China plan is the focus of traders, who are looking for a stronger stimulus as GDP growth is slowing. A copper trader in Shanghai, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said: "We expect to see more supportive measures in the future to boost economic development amid tariff threats and trade war." The copper shortage in 2026 remained a major concern for the market as disruptions in mining, such as at the Grasberg Mine in Indonesia, which is the second largest mine in the world, decreased raw material supply. Nickel fell 0.3%; lead increased 0.26%. Tin lost 0.44%. Zinc added 0.56% to the LME, nickel grew by 0.19%, and lead increased 0.3%. Tin was up 0.81%. Aluminium was not changed.
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Dalian iron ore falls to a seven-week low due to concerns about China's demand prospects
Dalian iron ore prices fell to their lowest level in seven weeks on Monday, after a series of disappointing data from the world's largest steel-making consumer China fueled concerns about demand prospects. The January contract for iron ore, the most traded on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange(DCE), closed morning trade at 770 Yuan ($108.08). It had touched its lowest level since September 1, at 762.50 Yuan, earlier in the day. As of 0354 GMT the benchmark November iron ore price on the Singapore Exchange had risen by 0.41% to $104.35 per ton. This was due to a weaker dollar, which made commodities priced in dollars cheaper for buyers who used other currencies. Singapore's benchmark fell to its lowest level since October 9th at $103.25. China's third-quarter economic growth is likely to have slowed down to its lowest level in a year as trade tensions and a prolonged property slump weigh on demand. Some key indicators, including new construction and property investment in the property sector, pointed to a gloomy outlook for steel demand that dragged ore prices lower. In September, the new home price in China dropped at the fastest rate in 11 months, further reducing the drag of the property sector on the broader economy. China's crude output of steel in September fell to its lowest level in 21 months, with persistent property market problems a major drag. The fourth quarter is usually a slow time for steel demand, as the temperatures are low in the northern regions. Analysts expect a limited supply of coke and coal, which are used to make steel. The benchmarks for steel on the Shanghai Futures Exchange have largely moved within a narrow range. Rebar grew by 0.13%. Hot-rolled coil, stainless steel and wire rod were unchanged. Reporting by Amy Lv & ColleenHowe. $1 = 7.1243 Chinese Yuan Renminbi.
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Gold rises on US rate-cut expectations; US-China Trade Talks in Focus
Gold prices rose on Monday as investors looked forward to U.S. inflation figures and U.S. China trade negotiations later this week. As of 0331 GMT, spot gold was up by 0.1%, at $4,253.33 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery climbed 1.3%, to $4266.30 per ounce. Silver spot rose by 0.5%, to $52.12 an ounce. After hitting a record-high of $54.47 earlier that day, prices fell by about 4.4% in their worst session in early April. The gold market is still trying to get its bearings after the Friday selloff. After a few weeks' mania, the sentiment is cooling off a little, said Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda. Gold prices fell by 1.8% Friday, the highest since mid-May after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that his 100% tariffs on Chinese goods would not be sustainable. He said he was going to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, and that he believed things would go well with China. The next major hurdles will be the U.S. China talks this week, and the CPI release from the United States on the Friday. The absence of economic data has created a vacuum that, I believe, is responsible for the surge in gold price. The Federal Reserve is not expected to push back against the pricing of rate cuts. This will be revealed in figures due on Friday. According to CME FedWatch Tool, the markets are pricing in a quarter point Fed rate reduction this month and another in December. The non-yielding gold has gained over 60% in the past year, reaching a record high of $4378.69 last Friday. This was due to geopolitical tensions and aggressive bets on rate cuts, central bank purchases, de-dollarisation, and strong exchange-traded funds. Palladium rose 0.2% and platinum dropped 0.8%, respectively, to $1.476.97 an ounce. (Reporting and editing by Sherry Jacobi-Phillips, Subhranshu Saghu and Swati verma from Bengaluru.
A mountain of asset sales loom after oil megamerger period
U.S. oil and gas companies could deal with an uphill struggle to sell about $27 billion of properties to fund investor payouts over the next few years as the greatest wave of energy megamergers in 25 years nears the end of regulative reviews.
The share buybacks and dividends are required to entice financiers back to an industry that lots of have actually avoided over volatile returns and pressure to decarbonize portfolios. Energy stocks represent simply 4.1% by weight of the S&P 500, a 3rd of their 2011 share as tech and healthcare financial investments took off.
But finding brand-new owners for these homes is unlikely to be quick or simple, bankers and analysts warn. There are less institutional and European oil purchasers interested, and a lack of all set cash to fund these deals. The personal equity companies that once purchased Big Oil's cast-offs have turned to energy transition, social effect and sustainable financial investments.
The scale of mergers has been extraordinary with $180. billion from six offers given that October. Driven by a rush to include. oil reserves that can be tapped in the future, most of these. offers are expected to finish up this year and will let loose a burst. of oil wells, pipelines, offshore fields and facilities. bundles onto the marketplace. The absence of ready buyers suggests. sales will require time and might develop into asset swaps, instead of. cash sales.
Three acquirers - Chevron, ConocoPhillips. and Occidental Petroleum - have actually vowed to raise between. $ 16 billion and $23 billion combined from post-closing sales. Exxon Mobil, the leading dealmaker, has not divulged a. divestiture target. But it has actually raised $4 billion each year in. sale earnings since 2021.
In addition to less private-equity and worldwide. buyers, more extensive regulative evaluations have actually slowed the. marketing kickoff. Some financial investment lenders believe the. divestitures might run well into next year.
STRIKING THE MARKET
Exxon, which bought Pioneer Natural Resources for $60. billion in May, wishes to offer a collection of standard oil. and gas residential or commercial properties across the Permian Basin, to focus on greater. development assets, a representative verified.
Conoco is primed to offer Western Oklahoma gas homes. gotten in its $22.5 billion offer for Marathon Oil, and. Chevron likely will put a few of Hess' Asia offshore possessions. along with its Canadian and U.S. gas bundles now on the block,. people acquainted with the matter stated on condition of anonymity. due to the fact that regulatory reviews are underway.
Occidental has actually readied a sale of West Texas shale possessions. that might fetch $1 billion, and could include offshore Gulf of. Mexico and Middle East assets when its CrownRock acquisition. closes, state experts.
Exxon confirmed it is exploring a sale of choose. conventional oil properties in West Texas and New Mexico consistent. with our strategy to continuously assess our portfolio. It has. not set a new property sale target because the Leader offer.
Conoco and Occidental decreased to discuss their possession. sales targets.
A Chevron representative stated after the Hess closing we're. going to add some properties that are going to be extremely appealing. to other business. It might produce $10 billion to $15 billion. in pre-tax profits through 2028.
HURDLES REMAIN
These are not the best assets in the market, stated Luis. Rhi, a portfolio supervisor at asset management firm Barrow Hanley. Global Investors, who believes the business can afford to sit. pat till the marketplace for assets improves.
There is a genuine disconnect between the possessions available and. the dollars raised to purchase those properties, David Krieger,. co-managing partner at Houston energy investment company Covalence. Investment Partners. Dry powder for oil and gas investing is a. fraction of what it used to be, he stated.
Europe's oil majors, burned by previous ventures into U.S. shale,. are not apt to return, said Brian Williams, handling director at. financial investment bank Carl Marks Advisors. They have actually finished their. education and have mainly exited U.S. shale, he stated.
Smaller sized private-equity backed firms lack the capital for. these offers, state energy consultants. In 2023, simply 78% of announced. oil deals were below $1 billion in expense, compared to 94% in. 2019, according to M&A advisory company Petrie Partners.
There are not a great deal of sub-$ 1 billion acquisitions. occurring, stated Todd Dittmann, who has actually invested in energy for. several years, mainly just recently for Angelo Gordon & & Co. There is an exit issue in energy personal equity and. partners are not happy about it, he said.
WHO'S LEFT?
Closely-held oil business including Hilcorp, which. specializes in purchasing mature fields, smaller publicly traded oil. manufacturers, and Asian and Middle East investors are best. positioned. Japanese companies just recently have revealed more interest. in U.S. gas, state bankers.
Hilcorp, founded by billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand, is. munching at the bit to get a take a look at Big Oil's cast-offs, stated. an individual familiar with the business.
Somewhere else, We continue to see interest from parts of. the globe outside Europe-- Asia, Middle East and other areas--. where there is cravings to be included and release capital, stated. Bruce On, a partner in Ernst & & Young's strategy and transactions. group.
Many residential or commercial properties in the leading U.S. shale field will be traded. away or kept for their capital, said Andrew Dittmar, director. of M&A at energy analytics firm Enverus.
There is going to be a great deal of ammo for swaps and. trades in West Texas and New Mexico, he said.
(source: Reuters)