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Fermi: Allies could own equity in US nuclear consortium
The founders Fermi America, a company that hopes to build the largest data center in the world and fuel it using nuclear power, solar, and gas, said on Wednesday, foreign countries may take an equity stake. Fermi made its Nasdaq debut on Wednesday, with shares valued at $14.8 billion. Investors are increasingly interested in AI infrastructure stocks. Founders Rick Perry and Toby Neugebauer, a former U.S. Energy Secretary in the first Trump administration, want to build a site near Amarillo in Texas that will have four Westinghouse Electric AP1000 nuclear reactors. This would be the second U.S. plant to be built in a desert. Perry and Neugebauer are looking for the U.S. Government to partner with them in this project. It would be home to artificial intelligence powered by nuclear energy that the Pentagon could use. The founders stated that it is possible for the U.S. and other allies to take equity stakes into a nuclear consortium where Fermi will be involved. Neugebauer stated that high-level delegations from around the world have visited Neugebauer's office to discuss a possible partnership. "It's possible that other countries would also take an equity position in a nuclear consortium. He said that other countries could be interested in reinvesting in the United States, and becoming partners with us. After Trump's executive orders were issued in May, the interest in nuclear reactors increased. These executive orders aimed to speed up applications for new nuclear reactors, revamp the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and make nuclear waste and excess plutonium available for reactor fuel. The latest reactors in the U.S. were also Westinghouse AP1000 models at Vogtle, Georgia. They were delayed for years and cost about $16 billion more than budget. (Reporting and editing by Timothy Gardner, Echo Wang)
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US agencies continue to work on fossil fuels during shutdown
According to the Interior Department's contingency plan published on Wednesday, some government employees will remain on duty during the shutdown to process oil, gas, and coal leases on public lands. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management posted a plan that stated the goal of maintaining workers in these areas was to address the national energy crisis declared by President Donald Trump when he assumed office in January. BLM's shutdown plan for 2023 did not exclude energy leasing or permitting. The plan stated that "in order to protect life and property of the federal government and to address the National Energy Emergency," BLM employees responsible for processing coal energy leases and oil and gas permits/leases and other energy and minerals necessary for energy production would be excluded or excused on demand, to the extent necessary to protect life and property. It wasn't immediately clear if the Utah coal lease auction scheduled for Wednesday would go ahead. No officials from the Interior Department or BLM were available to comment. The BLM allows energy development on the 245,000,000 acres of federal land it manages. In its contingency plans, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which supervises energy development on federal waters, stated that renewable energy would cease, but oil-and-gas work would continue, albeit in a limited manner. BOEM announced that some exempt employees would continue to work on projects such as the Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale scheduled for December and the development of the next oil and natural gas leasing plan for the United States. Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy, on the other hand, announced on Wednesday that its weekly petroleum inventories - which heavily influence oil markets – would continue to publish on schedule. The Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from spending taxpayer money without an appropriation from Congress, unless it is necessary to protect life or property. (Reporting and Editing by Bill Berkrot.)
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Gold hits record price as US Government Shuts Down
The dollar and U.S. stock market were inchoate on Wednesday as the U.S. shutdown its major operations. This delayed the release of important jobs data that could affect the outlook for interest rates. The U.S. data on private payrolls showed that employment in the U.S. fell by 32,000, contrary to expectations of a 50,000 increase. This added to fears that the U.S. labor market may be weakening. The government shutdown has muddied the outlook this week. While weak employment numbers would normally add to bets for interest rate reductions that could support the equity markets, it is not uncommon to see such bets. Due to the government shutdown, the Labor Department will not publish its more comprehensive and closely followed employment report for September on Friday. Investors said that this would make it difficult for the Federal Reserve to evaluate the U.S. economy as they weigh potential rate cuts. Matthew Miskin is co-chief investment strategy at Manulife John Hancock Investments, Boston. "Not having any other data makes this difficult for the Fed." The agencies said that there was no way out of the funding impasse, and the shutdown would result in the furloughing of 750,000 federal employees at a cost of $400,000,000 per day. S&P 500 recovered from earlier losses to gain 0.2% in the afternoon. Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained flat. The MSCI All-World Index.MIWD00000PUS gained 0.3% thanks to moderate gains on Wall Street. In the face of uncertainty, gold prices rose to $3,895 per ounce, a new record for a third consecutive session. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield, the standard, fell by 4 basis points, to 4.1116%. The STOXX Europe 600 index rose 1.2%, bucking the trend of the global market. It is now hovering near record highs. The FTSE 100 in Britain and the SMI in Switzerland outperformed. Healthcare stocks soared on expectations that they would avoid excessive U.S. tariffs following President Donald Trump's agreement with Pfizer regarding prescription drug prices. In the STOXX 600, the healthcare sector is ranked third. Lars Skovgaard is senior investment strategist for Danske Bank. He said: "There are a lot political risks in the healthcare industry, but once you see these risk diminish, investors will buy." I think that this could support European shares in the next few days." SLOW DOWN DATA Investors may give greater weight to the ADP National Employment Report if Friday's nonfarm payrolls data is not released. George Lagarias is the chief economist of Forvis Mazars. He said: "The general notion is that these things will have a short term impact and not a longer-term effect, and markets are aware of this." The lack of data means we will assume that the current trend will continue. If there's no sign of a strong recovery in the economy, the Fed is likely to continue its current course. The futures market now indicates a 95% likelihood of a Fed rate reduction in October. This is up from 90% a day ago, and there's a 75% chance that another move will be made in December. Anthony Saglimbene is the chief market strategist for Ameriprise. He said that, if the shutdown continues, mid-October inflation reports could be affected. In a note, he stated that "an extended period in which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not operate at full capacity could affect data collection for other reports and may impact the data quality." Japan's Nikkei fell 0.9% on Tuesday after a 11% rise in the previous quarter. South Korea's stocks rose by 0.9% to add to their 11.5% gains in the previous quarter. Data showed that exports in September rose at the highest rate in 14 months. DOLLAR FALLS The dollar index fell for the fourth consecutive day on foreign exchange markets. It was down last by 0.1% at 97.78. The euro fell 0.1% at $1.1724 while the pound rose 0.2% to $1.3475. The dollar fell 0.5% to 147.16yen after a Bank of Japan report showed that confidence among large Japanese manufacturers had improved in the second quarter. This increased the likelihood of an interest rate increase as early as this month. After two days of declines, oil prices dropped further as investors weighed up potential OPEC+ plans to increase output next month. U.S. crude fell about 1% to $61.71 per barrel while Brent dropped 1% to $65.35.
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Venezuelan oil exports exceed 1 million barrels per day for the first time since 2020
According to documents and shipping data from the state-run PDVSA, Venezuelan oil exports in September averaged 1,09 million barrels a day, which is the highest level since February of 2020. Data and documents show that the country has been struggling to stabilize its oil production and exports after coming under U.S. sanction in 2019. However, rising crude production, sales of stocks accumulated and increased imports of diluents for exportable crude grades have all contributed to a boost in oil shipments. The average for September was 13% higher than the previous month, and 39% higher than a year earlier. Around 84% of the total exports went to China directly or indirectly last month. China remained the top destination for Venezuelan crude shipped by intermediaries who have been trading Venezuelan oil since the sanctions were imposed. The data shows that an authorization granted by Donald Trump's U.S. administration in late July to Chevron has also allowed for increased exports. In September, 108,000 bpd Venezuelan crude was sent to the U.S., compared to 60,000 bpd in August. Oil exports dropped in the second quarter after the Trump administration suspended all licenses granted to foreign energy companies operating in Venezuela. This led to an increase of crude oil inventories, especially at Venezuela's primary production region, the Orinoco Belt. Some licenses were not reinstated. PDVSA has been draining these stocks since August while securing the imports of heavy crude oil and heavy naphtha, which is essential to dilution of OPEC's extra heavy output from allies, including Russia and China. Imports of diluents fell to 41,000 bpd from 99,000 bpd during the preceding month. Venezuela, however, has increased its purchases of heavy naphtha, light crude, and especially those from Russia this year. The accumulated average for the period through September is now 92,000 bpd, up from 88,000 bpd during the same period last year. Last month, Venezuela exported to its political ally Cuba 52,000 bpd crude oil and fuel and 74,000 tons of methanol. Venezuela reported to OPEC a crude production of 1.1 millions bpd for August, higher than the 1.08million bpd from the previous month. This is the highest output since February 2019.
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Brazil Energy Ministry seeks federal cash infusion for Eletronuclear amid risk of insolvency
Brazil's Mines and Energy Ministry asked the federal government to inject capital into Eletronuclear in order to prevent its imminent insolvency. This would add to the financial strains of the Angra 3 nuclear reactor in Rio de Janeiro, which is still unfinished. In a Monday letter seen by, Minister Alexandre Silveira informed the Finance, Planning and Management Ministries that planned investments for the maintenance of Angra 3 equipment and facility were completely cut from the budget 2026. Silveira said that the situation was "severely" compromising Eletronuclear, the state-run nuclear energy generator's ability maintain Angra 3 and service debts with banks BNDES Caixa Economica and Caixa Federal and make payments to a electricity sector fund. He claimed that the company would be "imminently insolvent" if it did not make a capital contribution to the budget cycle of next year. Without citing any figures, he referred to documents where the firm indicated a requirement for 1.4 billion reals ($262,70 million) to avoid government diluting before a planned bond issuance. Eletronuclear and the ministries did not respond immediately to comments. Budget uncertainty has caused a delay in the issuance of 2.4 billion reais ($450.4m) of debt to finance works that would extend Angra 1's operation by 20 years. Angra 1 is one of two nuclear plants in Latin America, operated both by Eletronuclear. According to a government agreement the securities would have been issued by Eletronuclear, and Eletrobras could convert them later into shares, without having to increase its stake or require additional federal support. Eletronuclear also called the issue "indispensable" in documents seen by. They cited short-term debts of 570 millions reais due to banks ABC and BTG in December, and cash that was expected to run out before November. If funds are not raised, BNDES, Caixa, and Santander could be in default, requiring "extraordinary liquidation measures" by October. Requests for comments from the lenders were not immediately responded to. ENBPar (which controls Eletronuclear) asked the Finance Ministry to convene a shareholder's meeting in August, but it has not been called. According to the internal studies in the documents, the government must pour 1.4 billion reals into Eletronuclear if it wants to keep control of the company.
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Silver nears new peak as gold blazes past record $3,800
Gold reached another record on Wednesday. This brings the gains for this year to 47%. The reasons include expectations of further interest rate cuts in the United States, safe-haven demands and a weaker dollar. Silver is also up 63% in this year and hovering near its record high. BULL RUN GATHERS PUSHES PACE Gold spot reached a record of $3,895.09 per ounce, and traded at $3,864.16 as recently as 1520 GMT. Bullion is a non-returning asset that attracts investors during times of geopolitical or economic uncertainty. It registered a 27% increase last year. Joseph Cavatoni is a senior market strategist with the World Gold Council, a trade association. What's important is that the safe-haven trend is now layered over structural allocation trends, meaning that gold isn't only reacting to current events but is also gaining traction in portfolios. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates in the United States for the first time in this year, in September. Markets are pricing in another two cuts by 2025. The conflict in the Middle East, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and fears about the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve under President Donald Trump have all contributed to market volatility and economic uncertainty. The gold rally is also backed by central bank purchases, rising inflows to gold exchange-traded fund (ETFs), and a weaker US dollar. As long as there is uncertainty, ETF flows into gold should continue. Michael Haigh, global director of commodities research for Societe Generale, said that he believes gold prices will reach $4000/oz before the end of the year. The WGC reports that global gold ETF demand is up to 587.8 tons this year. This compares with a net outflow in 2024 of 6.8 tonnes. SILVER FOLLOWS BULLISH TRAC Silver reached its highest price since May 2011 at $47.83 per ounce. The record high was $49.51 in April 2011. The same macroeconomic forces that drive gold are also driving silver's rally. This includes strong industrial demand, tightness on the spot market, and speculative momentum. The ratio of gold to silver The price of silver is around 82. This is its lowest level since late October, last year. It signals a relative strength in the value of gold against silver. Aakash Doshi is the global head of gold strategies at State Street Investment Management. He said that silver was a "catch-up" trade, as it had been outperforming gold in several quarters before mid-2025. He added that recent CME premiums over London spot prices encouraged delivery into the COMEX System. Nearly 60% of the global demand for the metal is for industrial use. The inclusion of the metal on a draft U.S. list of critical minerals has also sparked speculation about potential tariffs. CME silver stock Since the beginning of the year, the amount of gold has increased by 60% to 530.2 millions ounces. The metal is still on course for its fifth consecutive annual deficit.
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European oil refineries invest in green projects to ensure a long-term future
Refining executives in Europe said that European refineries have to invest in energy conversion projects because of the modern, complex competitors from Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Tony Fountain, Essar's managing partner, said at the Argus global markets conference in London: "I guess we're all playing a game of last man standing to ensure we don't shut down." European refineries are under pressure from environmental regulations and modern plants to increase production of cleaner fuels such as biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel to meet the regulatory demand. The regulatory environment does not just tell us what we can do. This is more about what we must become in order to survive on this market. It's no longer a constraint. "It's almost like a business plan for us," said Lukasz Stupczewski. Executive director of crude supply, PKN Orlen. Fountain announced that Essar will make a final decision about its blue hydrogen plant, which is the largest in the UK, at the beginning of next year. Essar has also received government support for a sustainable aircraft fuel (SAF), Stanlow, plant this year. Fountain explained that "decarbonisation strategy" and "advanced fuel strategy" are things we believe we should do in order to move from the middle of the pack to the top quartile on the European ranking scale. Strupczewski stated that PKN Orlen aims to increase the co-processing in order to increase SAF production and to invest in advanced biofuel capacity in order to meet the demand for these fuels in Europe, based on regulatory regimes such as RefuelEU Aviation, FuelEU Maritime and others. Fountain stated that government support is important to prevent the UK becoming too dependent on imports if there are further closures. He said that if he were the UK government, he would be concerned if the country had less than four refineries, as it would mean a high level of fuel imports. The UK now imports around 30% of the fuel it needs. Ed Osmond, Robert Harvey, and Enes Tunagur edited the article.
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Minister: Chile will reduce green hydrogen production goals amid global slowdown
Diego Pardow, Minister of Energy for Chile, said on Wednesday that the country will reduce its green-hydrogen production targets due to a decline in global market prospects. Pardow, in an interview during Energy Week Santiago, said that the adjustment will be published before March 2026, the end of current administration's term. He said that "the international market for green hydrogen has cooled down a bit." The reduction would be in line with European nations that have reduced their goals. This trend is mirrored by developers all over the world who are cancelling their projects and reducing investment. Pardow stated that several green hydrogen "commercial scale" projects have either received or are on the verge of obtaining environmental permits. TotalEnergies, HIF Global and other companies are working on green hydrogen projects across the country. The government has said that about 40 billion dollars worth of projects are currently being assessed for their environmental impact. Pardow stated that the government has not yet decided whether or not to terminate a concession in the capital by an Enel unit. However, a date for a decision is set. Enel was accused by the government of taking too long to restore power in Santiago following a storm that occurred in 2024. (Reporting and writing by Fabian Cambero, Alexander Villegas, Kylie Madry).
Take Five: the big Trump tariff countdown
The deadline for President Donald Trump to impose tariffs is fast approaching, while the U.S. releases data on jobs and the markets gauge the new AI landscape before major tech companies report.
Bank of England is deciding on interest rates, and lenders across Europe are also publishing their results.
Kevin Buckland, Saqib Ahmad, Lewis Krauskopf, and Amanda Cooper, in London, provide a guide to global markets for the coming week.
1/T DAY
Everyone wants to know the severity of Trump's tariffs. From currency traders and bond investors to Fed officials and other foreign powers.
Trump's promise to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico until illegal migrants and fentanyl are stopped from crossing their border could be the most telling sign so far. Tariffs will be applied to a combined trillion dollar of U.S. bound shipments per year.
Canada has launched a crackdown on fentanyl to head off any possible action. Mexico, in December, made the largest fentanyl arrest in its history.
China is arguably a more interesting case. Anyone can guess whether the 10% tariffs that have been mooted will also be in place for Saturday. The White House confirmed that it is still seriously considering the possibility, despite Trump saying he did not want to use tariffs against China after a "friendly phone call" with Xi Jinping.
Should I stay or should I go?
Investors are assessing the prospect of further interest rate reductions and the potential impact that new Trump Administration policies may have on the labour market. The U.S. monthly jobs report is due to be released on February 7.
The blowout December jobs report led to doubts over whether the Fed could ease its monetary policy any further. This sent Treasury yields soaring. Inflation data that were encouraging did calm the market, but a strong January jobs report may change everything.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said that he will not cut rates until inflation and employment data indicate it is appropriate.
Trump's agenda on the labour market is a big unknown. It includes a crackdown on immigration and plans to reduce the federal workforce. The White House offers 2 million federal workers financial incentives to leave.
3 TECH-TONIC SHIFTs
Investors have speculated for years about what could slow down the AI investment steamroller. Now, they have a fresh perspective: the emergence of China's AI sensation DeepSeek. It has rewritten assumptions about computing power and the amount of money needed to develop state-of-the art models.
This change shattered Nvidia stock's value, causing it to plummet. DeepSeek also challenges the dominance of U.S. tech, and raises questions about the competitive advantage of the seven top tech stocks, known as the Magnificent Seven.
Investors will be able to decide whether the recent AI market volatility represents a warning for future challenges, or an opportunity to invest in this rapidly expanding sector.
4/IN FOR A SLEEZE
The pace of European bank earnings will pick up in the coming week, as BNP Paribas and Societe Generale report their fourth-quarter results, followed by UBS and Santander from Spain and Switzerland.
The majority of lenders will have wrung out enough extra cash from higher interest rates, helped by soaring revenues in investment banking. This will boost their profits to keep the two-year rally going. Investors are looking for signs that the recent surge in deal-making is not over.
Still, there are challenges. The falling interest rates put pressure on the banks' earnings on loans and their deposits. Meanwhile, the U.S. economic growth is accelerating.
Deutsche Bank, a German bank, has caused concern after it reported a steep drop in profit and abandoned a major goal regarding costs. This sent its shares down.
5/DECISION TIMES
On Thursday, the Bank of England will meet to set interest rate. The markets haven't fully priced in a quarter point cut but economists appear to believe that this is likely.
UK data are weakening. Multiple measures of employment indicate cracks in the labour markets, and unexpectedly consumer spending fell during the crucial holiday shopping season. The BoE predicts that growth will remain flat in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Many banks believe that the British economy will struggle to grow by even 1% in this year, despite plans from Finance Minister Rachel Reeves to revive growth.
The bond market turmoil that occurred earlier this month pushed government borrowing costs for 10-year bonds to their highest level since 2008. Gilt yields are down, but still uncomfortably high at 4.5%. This is more than any other G10 country except New Zealand.
(source: Reuters)