Japan








Energy Markets

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

Investors watch US-China trade progress to see if it can bring about a change in the dollar and stock prices

As trade talks between China and the United States continued for a second consecutive day, investors had reason to believe that tensions may be easing between the two world's largest economies. U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick stated that discussions between the two parties were going well. President Donald Trump put a positive spin after the Monday session. Lutnick met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. trade representative Jamie Greer and their Chinese counterparts at the London International Trade Fair. Markets will likely be relieved if the talks progress, given Trump's frequently changing tariff announcements. These have disrupted supply chain and...

Natural Gas

Taiyo Oil purchases first Russian crude oil in over two years at government request

The Japanese refinery Taiyo Oil said that it had purchased its first Sakhalin Blend from Russia in over two years, at the request of the Japanese government. This was to ensure the stability and reliability of the plant, which also supplies Japan with liquefied gas. Trade data shows that Japan imported its last Russian crude oil in February 2023 after Tokyo and other G7 nations agreed to phase out the imports as a response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Kpler and traders, China is the only importer of Sakhalin Blend since the Biden administration imposed sanctions...

Crude Oil

Investors expect US-China trade talks to progress as they increase the dollar value of stocks

The dollar and global stocks both edged up on Tuesday, as the United States and China are set to continue their trade talks for a second consecutive day. This gives investors reason to believe that tensions between two of the largest economies in the world may be easing. After Monday's meeting, U.S. president Donald Trump emphasized the positive aspects of the discussions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as well as U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer will meet with their Chinese counterparts again on Tuesday in London. Markets will likely be relieved if the talks progress, given...

Crude Oil

Dollar edged down, stocks rise as US-China discussions in focus

The dollar fell on Monday as the United States and China began talks in London to settle a trade conflict between their two largest economies. The trade dispute has now expanded to include restrictions on rare earths. This could cripple global supply chains and slow growth. The talks will need to continue for a while before we can decide if there is any progress. Most investors are still hopeful for positive results, said Peter Andersen of Andersen Capital Management. Wall Street saw the S&P 500, Nasdaq and the S&P 500 Tech sector all rise. The Dow fell modestly, with weakness...

Crude Oil

Tesla shares gain ground in premarket, as stocks watch for US employment data

The global stock markets were subdued Friday as investors prepared for the release of key U.S. employment data. Tesla shares recovered some ground during pre-market trading following a public spat between President Donald Trump, and billionaire Elon Musk. The markets are wary after a string of weak economic data, including a weak payrolls report in the United States. This would increase concerns about stagflation while increasing pressure on Federal Reserve policy. Investors also pondered whether a telephone call between Trump on Thursday and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and the prospect of future talks, would ease the deep tensions in trade...

Crude Oil

Tesla falls as Trump-Musk's bromance soured. Stocks are on alert for payrolls

Asian shares were tepid on Friday, as investors prepared for the important payrolls report. Tesla also suffered massive losses due to the public feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. The markets are wary after a string of weak economic data, and they're worried that a surprise downturn in the payrolls report due later today could add to fears of inflation while increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve. Tesla shares rose 0.8% after hours trading, after plummeting 14% overnight and wiping out $150 billion of market value. Trump had threatened to stop government contracts for Elon Musk's businesses after...

Crude Oil

US stocks are on a roller coaster ride as investors balance soft data against potential progress in US China trade talks

Wall Street and crude prices both advanced on Thursday, as investors weighed the new trade talks between U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping with a series of disappointing economic data in advance of Friday's important jobs report. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow were all modestly lower, and the Dow barely in positive territory. U.S. Treasury rates fluctuated, and gold was weaker. Trump and Xi spoke by phone Thursday to try to resolve the trade dispute between the two world's largest economies. They agreed to continue discussions, according the summaries from the U.S. Thomas Martin, Senior portfolio...

Crude Oil

US stocks rise on hope of progress in US China trade talks

Wall Street shook and crude prices jumped Thursday, as investors juggled the new trade talks between U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping with a series of disappointing economic data in advance of Friday's important jobs report. In early trading, the three major U.S. indexes were unable to find a direction and ended up modestly higher. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury rates fluctuated and the dollar was weaker. Holding talks According to the summaries provided by the U.S. government and the Chinese government, they spoke with Xi on Thursday to try to resolve the trade dispute between the two world's...

Crude Oil

European stocks up, dollar steady, even as tariff deal deadline looms

The dollar was largely unchanged on Wednesday as market sentiment was dominated by uncertainty over U.S. president Donald Trump's plans for tariffs and his negotiations with China. Trump has set a deadline of Wednesday for trading partners to submit proposals for trade agreements in order to avoid the "Liberation Day Tariffs" from coming into effect within five weeks. The U.S. also increased its tariffs on aluminium and steel on Wednesday. These higher tariffs apply to all trading partners except for Britain, the only country that has reached a preliminary agreement. The dollar-denominated MSCI All-Country Index climbed to a new record...

Crude Oil

As trade uncertainty persists, Asian stocks are rising and the dollar is fluctuating.

The dollar weakened as U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum increased, and Asian stocks rose. This marks the latest chapter of the trade war which has roiled the markets throughout the year. Investors have been focused on the pace and lack of progress in trade negotiations. The deadline for U.S. trade partners to submit proposals for deals in order to avoid Trump's "Liberation Day", hefty tariffs, is Wednesday. The European Stock Futures market pointed to an opening higher as the European Central Bank began its two-day meeting, where it was expected to reduce rates on Thursday. South Korea's currency and...

Crude Oil

As trade uncertainty increases, Asian stocks are up and the dollar is softening.

The dollar dipped to six-week lows on Wednesday as traders prepared for the impending increase in U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. This is the latest chapter of the trade war that has roiled the markets throughout the year. South Korea's stock market and currency rose as the liberal presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung won his election. This raised hopes for a rapid economic stimulus, reforms of the markets and an end to policy uncertainty. The benchmark KOSPI rose more than 2%, reaching its highest level since August 2024. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan was 0.6% higher....

Crude Oil

Inflation data ahead of the stock market's best month since 2023

The dollar flirted with its first annual rise on Friday, as traders awaited key U.S. data on inflation and Washington's latest fluttering about tariffs. Investors have tried to ride the roller coaster of news this week after a U.S. federal appeals court temporarily restored tariffs that were temporarily blocked by a U.S. district court. The initial decline in European stock prices on Friday was followed by gains of 0.3% to 0.8% despite this. Unexpected dip Mixed results in German retail sales Inflation numbers Wall Street futures fell ahead of the PCE inflation data, which is due to be released before...

Environment

Climate Change

Indonesia invites foreign investors to invest in seawall worth $80 billion that will protect the coasts against flooding

The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, announced on Thursday that foreign investors were invited to invest in Indonesia's plan for a seawall of hundreds of kilometers to prevent flooding along the north coast Java island. The project builds on a plan from 2014 by the government of Jakarta to protect the city against rising sea levels and subsidence which have caused frequent floods along the north Java coastline. Prabowo announced that he will form an agency for the project to build a giant seawall stretching from Banten province to East Java, which could take up to 20 years to finish....

Environment

Indonesia invites foreign investors to invest in seawall worth $80 billion that will protect the coasts against flooding

On Thursday, Prabowo Subito announced that foreign investors were invited to participate in Indonesia's plan for a seawall of hundreds of kilometers to prevent flooding along the north coast on its largest island Java. The wall is expected to cost $80 billion and will be built to prevent flooding. The project builds on a plan from 2014 by the government of Jakarta to protect the city against rising sea levels, land subsidence and flooding along the north Java Coast. Prabowo announced that he will form an agency for the project to build a giant seawall stretching from Banten province to...

Environment

White House official: Trump will sign resolutions that nix California's EV regulations

A White House official confirmed that President Donald Trump would sign three congressional resolutions Thursday, which will bar California's electric car sales mandates as well as diesel engine regulations. This confirms an earlier report, citing auto industry and House aides. Trump signs resolutions of disapproval, under the Congressional Review Act, to block California's landmark proposal to end gasoline-only vehicle sales by 2035. This plan has been adopted and endorsed by 11 states representing a quarter of the U.S. automobile market. Trump will sign a resolution repealing a waiver granted in December by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under former Democratic...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Mitsubishi increases prices on new US cars by an average of 2.1%

Mitsubishi Motors announced on Tuesday that it would be increasing the prices of U.S. cars by an average 2.1%. This is the latest automaker who has passed on cost increases to the consumers due to the Trump Administration's tariffs. In April, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imports of cars from Japan and almost all other countries. This prompted Mitsubishi to suspend its deliveries to U.S. dealerships. The Japanese automaker said that it resumed these deliveries last week. Mitsubishi explained that the 2.1% increase in average weighted prices, effective on Wednesday, "is a result of our ongoing and...

Mineral Resources

Trump claims that the EU is not offering a fair trade deal and Japan is also 'tough.'

U.S. president Donald Trump said that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stayed in Canada for the G7 summit, and suggested Japan is being "tough' in trade negotiations and the European Union has not yet offered him what he considered to be a fair deal. Trump left early from the G7 to deal with the developments in the Middle East. The president told reporters that the EU has been very tough with the United States over the years. Trump said, "We are talking but I do not feel they have offered a fair offer yet." "They will either make a fair deal,...

Mineral Resources

U.S. Steel shares rise after golden share details unveiled

U.S. Steel shares rose 5% Monday as the bid of Nippon Steel for the well-known American company neared the finish line. Details of the U.S. Government's golden stake were also revealed over the weekend. U.S. Steel's shares reached $54.86, just shy of the $55 Nippon Steel bid, after the Trump Administration gave the green light on the merger via an executive agreement and a signed order to ease national security concerns. This culminated a turbulent 18-month process. Questions arose about the "golden shares" that President Donald Trump suggested would give the American people 51% of the struggling U.S. company as...

Mineral Resources

Nippon Steel shares rise after Trump approves $14.9 billion US Steel bid

Nippon Steel's shares rose Monday after U.S. president Donald Trump approved the $14.9 billion offer for U.S. Steel. This cleared a major hurdle in their 18-month pursuit, and secured access to a crucial market for their growth strategy. The approval culminated a turbulent process that was marked by two reviews of national security and union opposition. Nippon shares, the fourth largest steelmaker in the world, rose 3% by midday to 2,915yen after they were untraded earlier due to a surplus of buy orders. The shares outperformed the benchmark Nikkei 225 Index in Tokyo, which rose about 1%. Trump signed an...

Mineral Resources

Nikkei shares rise in Japan as yen weakens, boosting exports

Japan's Nikkei average rose Monday, despite the continuing conflict between Israel and Iran. A weaker yen was a major factor in this rise. The Nikkei rose 0.9% to 38,164.07 at 0155 GMT. Meanwhile, the Topix rose by 0.54%, reaching 2,772.46. Kentaro Hayashi is a senior strategist at Daiwa Securities. He said that investors were less concerned about geopolitical tensions. The market did not see the need for further sell-offs. He added that there is optimism about the end of the conflict with the United States and Russia taking action. Nikkei dropped on Friday, after Israel launched attacks against Iran. Wall...

Mineral Resources

Andy Home: Demand destruction could help China break its rare earths shackles

Beijing's export restrictions have exposed the West's dependence on Chinese supplies of esoteric materials and permanent magnets. It's not like we've never been in this situation before. China did the exact same thing in 2010. Western automakers chose to ignore historical precedents and double down on a techniqe that is almost completely beholden Beijing's export whims. Many of them have now entered a panic mode and several have already been forced to stop production lines. This shows the huge economic impact that niche metals like dysprosium (used in neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), magnets) can make. China's willingness weaponise its dominant...

Mineral Resources

Source: RPT-Hyundai Motors has a stockpile of rare earths that can last for about a year.

A person who attended an investor call for Hyundai Motor said that the company has a stockpile of rare earths which can last up to a year. It does not anticipate any short-term impacts from disruptions in global supply chains caused by China’s export restrictions. China's decision to limit exports of rare earths, magnets, and other materials in April has disrupted supply chains for automakers, aerospace companies, semiconductor firms, and military contractors. Hyundai, along with Kia Corp., the third largest automaker in the world, is better positioned than most competitors to withstand the restrictions that have already affected production and...

Mineral Resources

Indian dealers offer steeper discounts on ASIA GOLD as price rally dampens demand

The gold discounts in India reached their highest level in over a month this week, due to a rise in prices that were near record highs. Meanwhile, the rising rates in other major Asian cities also dampened demand. On Friday, domestic gold prices traded at around 98.300 rupees for 10 grams, having rebounded from a monthly low of 90.890 rupees and approaching the all-time record of 99.358 rupees. Indian dealers were forced to offer discounts due to the price spike Up to $56 per ounce less than official domestic prices. This includes a 6% duty on imports and a 3%...

Mineral Resources

US auto suppliers call for immediate action on China's rare earths restrictions

A group of auto suppliers from the United States has called for immediate action in response to China's restrictions on rare earths and minerals, as well as magnets. They warn that the issue can quickly disrupt auto part production. China, which controls 90% of the global processing capacity for rare Earths, used in everything from cars and fighter jets, to home appliances and household appliances, implemented restrictions in April, requiring exporters obtain licenses from Beijing. The new restrictions were imposed after the U.S. and China began a trade dispute following President Donald Trump's tariffs against Chinese imports. The Vehicle Suppliers...

Fossil Fuels

Europe's auto part suppliers suspend production due to China's restrictions on rare earths

As concerns grow about the impact of China's new restrictions on mineral exports, some European auto part plants have suspended production. BMW has also warned that its supply network is affected by a shortage of rare earths. China's April decision to suspend the export of rare earths, magnets, and other related products has disrupted supply chains for automakers, aerospace companies, semiconductor firms, and military contractors all over the world. China is using this move to demonstrate its dominance in the mineral industry that is key to green energy and as leverage against the U.S. president Donald Trump. China produces 90%...

Mineral Resources

Peru expects $4.8 billion in mining investments this year and a slight increase in copper production

Jorge Montero, Peru's Energy and Mines minister, said that he expects the mining investment to reach $4.8 Billion this year and the production of red metal to be at 2.8 Mt. In 2024, Peru produced about 2.7 millions tons of copper. This is a slight decrease from the previous year. Montero, speaking at a media conference, also mentioned the alarming increase in informal and illegal mining, specifically in the Apurimac region and Arequipa region of southern Peru. Top copper mine Las Bambas is controlled by a miner The mine is located in Apruimac. Teck, a Canadian mining company, is developing...

Mineral Resources

Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum are a reality

U.S. president Donald Trump intends to double tariffs for steel and aluminum imports from Wednesday to 50%, increasing pressure on global producers of steel and intensifying his trade war. Why is Trump doubling tariffs? Trump wants to encourage and support investment in the domestic production of aluminum and steel, two essential materials for construction. Aluminium is used in transport and packaging. These tariffs are already causing higher prices for consumers of steel and aluminum, as well as a decline in manufacturing. Meanwhile, the hurdles, such higher electricity prices, are very high. About a quarter (25%) of the steel used in...