Latest News
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Octopus Energy, a British company, spins out Kraken for $8.65 billion.
Octopus energy, a British company, announced on Monday that it would spin off its technology arm Kraken as an independent 'company' valued at $8.65 Billion. This follows a funding round led by U.S.-based investment firm D1 Capital Partners. Kraken provides energy software to major utilities, such as EDF, National Grid U.S., and Tokyo Gas. Kraken will sell equity worth about $1 billion to new and existing investors. Investors led by Octopus will inject $320 million more into Octopus Energy. In a press release, the largest household electricity and gas supplier in Britain, Durable Capital Partners, and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan are among those who invested in this round. The investment paves the way for Kraken to officially demerge from Octopus Energy. Octopus Energy will retain a 13,7% stake in the company. Kraken's AI-powered operating system is licensed to utilities around the world and has contracts to service more than 70,000,000 accounts. In September, the company reported a contracted revenue of over $500 million. Origin Energy, a company based in Australia, said that it would invest around $140 million into Kraken's fund-raising and retain a 22.7% stake after the transaction. Origin has also agreed to waive the?exclusivity of Kraken's service in Australia for an extra 1.5% equity stake.
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TSX falls as metal prices fall hurt mining shares
Canada's main index of stocks closed lower on Monday, as the precious metals rally?paused. This weighed heavily on the mining stocks and started the final?week?of the year with a somber tone. The S&P/TSX 'index?closed 0.32% down at 31,896.59 point. The benchmark was expected to gain about 2% this December, which would be its eighth consecutive month of gains, a streak that has not been seen since 2014. Materials shares fell by 2.88%, while gold shares dropped 4.02%. Silver prices fell 8.3% and gold prices dropped 4.3%. Both were down on the back of investors booking profits due to perceptions that geopolitical tensions are easing, which led them to reduce safe-haven purchases. The TSX index has seen a strong performance this year. It is up 29%, its highest level since 2009. This year has been phenomenal. This was really due to two factors. Mining stocks had a fantastic year. Gold had a great year, and silver was even better. The Canadian bank stocks also contributed to the TSX, said Alfred Lee. Lee stated that he wouldn't be shocked if there was a short-term pullback next year. Kinross Gold shares fell 3.6%. Agnico Eagle shares fell?5.3%, and Barrick Mining shares fell 2.8%. Endeavour Silver closed down 1.9%, while Silvercorp Metals dropped 3.4%. Energy shares, which are a major component of the energy sector, gained 1.01% as oil prices rose over 2%, and investors began to weigh the potential disruptions in oil supplies due to the Ukrainian peace talks with the possible rise in oil prices. During a quiet week of data, market participants are waiting for the release on Tuesday of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
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Management reports that the external power line at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant has been restored.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine, which is owned by Russia, has a restored external power connection after repairs were completed. This was announced on Monday by the Russian management of the plant. The statement stated that the line had been taken out of service by "fire from Ukrainian armed forces". The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog was present to monitor the repairs. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that the situation was under control at the plant, and radiation levels were normal. Two lines connect the station to the grid. The second line was still in operation during the repairs. The plant relied on diesel generators for 30 days in September and October. This was until a damaged line could be reconnected during a local ceasefire that was arranged with IAEA help. In the first weeks after Moscow invaded Ukraine, Russian forces took control of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant. Both sides accuse the other of actions that endanger safety in Ukraine. The plant does not produce electricity, but it relies on outside power to maintain nuclear fuel at a cool temperature and prevent a meltdown. In the talks to end the four-year conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, the future of the plant operations has been a sticking point. The plant is run by a unit owned by Russia's Rosatom nuclear corporation. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, said that the U.S. proposed a joint trilateral operation with an American manager in December. Reporting by Chizu nomiyama; editing by Chizu Nomiyama
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Silver falls from its $80 peak, while gold mellows due to profit-taking
Silver fell after reaching a record high of $80 per ounce on Monday, while gold dropped from near-historic levels as investors booked profits. A market perception that geopolitical risk had decreased also curbed the safe haven buying. Gold spot was down 1.7% to $4,455.35 per ounce at 1321 GMT. It had hit a record of $4,549.71 an ounce on Friday. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery lost 1.7% and reached $4,474.80. Spot silver fell?5.1%, to $75.15 per ounce. This is a retreat from the record high of $83.62 reached earlier in this session. Spot 'platinum' fell 6.9%, to $2281.15, after reaching a record high of $2478.50, while palladium plummeted 11.9%, to $1,694.75 per ounce. Ricardo Evangelista, an analyst at ActivTrades, said that the decline in gold prices this morning, following record highs, was primarily due to traders reinvesting profits before year-end. "Tentative optimism on the part of the U.S. administration regarding progress in the Ukraine peace talks is also a mild blow." Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that on Sunday he and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy are "getting closer, perhaps very close" to a deal to end Ukraine's war. Bullion prices have risen by 72% in the past year. This is due to factors like a softer U.S.?monetary policy, a weaker dollar, geopolitical tensions, and robust central bank purchasing. Silver has outperformed gold this year by 181%, mainly due to its designation as an important mineral in the United States, shortages of supplies and a growing industrial and investor appetite. The release of the Fed minutes from the December meeting, which is due on Tuesday, will provide some clues about the future interest rate outlook. The market is pricing in at least two rate cuts next year. When interest rates are low, non-yielding investments tend to perform well. UBS analysts wrote in a report that "gold prices are trading at an elevated premium and downside risks may emerge if the Federal Reserve makes a surprise pivot to the hawkish side and/or if large ETF withdrawals affect the market." (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis, David Goodman and Pablo Sinha from Bengaluru)
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Bahrain implements new fiscal reforms in order to boost public finances
Bahrain announced several fiscal measures on Monday. These included raising fuel prices, increasing tariffs on water and electricity, and increasing dividends from government-owned companies, as well as other fees and tax. Bahrain, one of the Gulf's smaller producers of oil, has increased its efforts to diversify away from hydrocarbons and into other areas, such as tourism and financial services. However, lower?oil price have had a negative impact on public finances and growth. Bahrain plans to?raise natural gas prices and reduce administrative government expenditure by 20%. It will also introduce a new corporate income tax law for local companies. The statement did not provide any further information or details about when the new measures would be implemented. S&P Global Ratings Downgraded Bahrain sovereign credit rating In November, the rating was downgraded to "B" (from "B+") due to an increase in government debt. This increased pressure on government interest costs. The report projected an increased fiscal?deficit in 2025 of 7.6% of the GDP, up from its previous estimate of 7.1%. The government has raised $5 billion from global debt markets This year, investors will be able to take advantage of the healthy appetite for Islamic bonds or sukuk. The parliamentary speaker stated in a separate statement dated 28 December that Bahrain's government, parliament and the Council of Representatives held several meetings to discuss measures to support state finances. He noted some differences regarding the application of electricity and water services. Reporting by Mahal Dahan and Nayera Addallah, Writing by Rachna uppal; Editing and proofreading by Alison Williams & Chizu Nomiyama
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Upgrade of Zimbabwe thermal plant to 400 Megawatts will add to grid
Zimbabwe will upgrade its Hwange coal fired power?plant for $455 mln, adding 400 megawatts, or a 'fifth' of the current country electricity demand. Southern Africa has signed a concession agreement with Jindal Steel's Africa-focused unit for a 15-year period to refurbish some of its older units at the?thermal plant. Cletus Nyachowe, acting ZESA CEO, said that the deal was signed and finalised in December after it was approved by Zimbabwe’s cabinet on September 17. Nyachowe stated that the 15-year contract with Jindal would lead to increased power generation. This will?add 400 MW to our production within 48 months." He added that "Rehabilitation works are set to begin in the first quarter 2026." Zimbabwe is only able to meet half its electricity demand of 2,000 MW and suffers from?prolonged power cuts because its power plants are reducing in capacity. In 2023, two units, adding 600 MW, were commissioned at the Hwange plant. The older units, built in the 1980s, are only operating at a third of their full capacity because of?breakdowns. In 2018, the Kariba hydropower plant, built in 1960, underwent a 300-MW upgrade, boosting its capacity from 750 MW to 1,050MW. Its generation capacity also decreased in recent years due to climate-change-induced droughts.
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Silver falls from its $80 peak, while gold's price softens due to profit-taking
Silver fell after reaching a record high of $80 per ounce on Monday, while gold dropped from near-historic levels as investors booked profits. A market perception that geopolitical risk had decreased also curbed the safe haven buying. Gold spot was down 1.9% to $4,448.23 per ounce at 1148 GMT. It had hit a record of $4,549.71 an ounce on Friday. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery lost 1.9% at $4,467.90. Spot silver fell?5.4%, to $74.90 per ounce. This is a retreat from the record high of $83.62 reached earlier in this session. Spot 'platinum' fell 6.5%, to $2,291 per ounce, after reaching a record high of $2,478.50, while palladium dropped 13%, to $1,674.25 per ounce. Ricardo Evangelista, an analyst at ActivTrades, said that the decline in gold prices this morning, following record highs, was primarily due to traders reinvesting profits before year-end. "Tentative optimism on the part of the U.S. administration regarding progress in?Ukraine's peace talks is also a mild blow." Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that on Sunday he and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy are "getting closer, perhaps very close" to a deal to end Ukraine's war. Bullion prices have risen by 72% in the last year. This is due to factors like a softer U.S.?monetary policy, a weaker dollar, geopolitical tensions, and robust central bank purchasing. Silver has outperformed gold this year by 181%, mainly due to its designation as an important mineral in the United States, shortages of supplies and a growing industrial and investor appetite. The release of the Fed minutes from the December meeting, which is due on Tuesday, will provide some clues about the future interest rate outlook. The market is pricing in at least two rate cuts next year. When interest rates are low, non-yielding investments tend to perform well. UBS analysts stated in a report that "gold prices are trading at an elevated premium and downside risks may emerge if the Federal Reserve makes a surprise pivot to the hawkish side and/or if large ETF withdrawals affect the market." Reporting by Pablo Sinha, Bengaluru Editing Barbara Lewis and David Goodman
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Axis International wants $28,9 billion from Guinea for revocation of bauxite permits
Axis International Ltd, based in the United Arab Emirates, is seeking $28.9billion from Guinea through a World Bank Tribunal after Guinea revoked its permit to operate a mine of bauxite there earlier this summer. Guinea, which has the world's largest reserves bauxite and is seeking to increase revenues and local processing, has tightened state control of the mining sector over the last year, revoking some permits and reallocating others. These moves by the government led by coup leader 'Mamady Doombouya' have led to several arbitration challenges. One was filed by Nomad Bauxite Corporation in November and another by Nimba Investment LLC this month. Axis International stated in a Monday statement that "if Guinea fails to pay compensation or refuses participation, it risks losing donor support multilaterally and access to the financial markets." The dispute was brought before the?International Centre for?Settlement of Investment Disputes of the World Bank. The government of Guinea did not respond immediately to a comment request. Axis International is the owner of 85% Axis Minerals Resources SA. This Guinean company has rights to a Boffa region bauxite mining. In a statement, the company stated that this permit along with others was terminated on May 1. Axis International stated that, while the government claimed that the mine wasn't operational or underutilised it was "operating at a scale and supporting thousands and their families." "We will prove to the World Bank Tribunal that Guinea is responsible for all damages caused by its intentionally unlawful acts. Gunjan Sharma, counsel for Axis International said that the amount was USD 28,9 billion at minimum. The company stated that damages were calculated based on "proven reserves", which they put at over 800 million metric tonnes. The company stated that the mine would produce 18 million metric tonnes of bauxite by 2024. This will make it Guinea's largest source of bauxite exports. (Reporting and writing by Robbie Corey Boulet; Editing and proofreading by Jan Harvey).
G7 meeting seeks unity amid intensifying conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East
Leaders of the Group of Seven nations began their annual meetings on Monday, amid the wars in Ukraine as well as the Middle East which have added to the global economic uncertainty. The host country Canada is also trying to avoid a confrontation with U.S. president Donald Trump.
G7 leaders, including those from the United States, Canada, France and Germany, as well as Japan, the U.S.A., the European Union and Britain, will be meeting in Kananaskis, a resort in the Canadian Rockies, until Tuesday. Beyond the picturesque and serene mountain setting, however, they face challenges. Trump's first five months in office have been a turbulent time for the United States. His foreign policy has changed, he has raised concerns about his close ties with Russia and imposed tariffs on U.S. ally countries. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has pushed up global oil prices, makes the Canada summit a crucial moment for restoring a sense of unity among democratic powerhouses.
Before attending his first G7, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the most important goal would be for world's seven biggest industrial nations to come together and take action.
It will not be simple. After years of agreement, the traditional allies are scrambling to maintain unity and keep Trump engaged. Canada has given up on any attempt to adopt a comprehensive, all-encompassing communique in order to avoid a repeat of the 2018 Quebec summit when Trump ordered the U.S. delegation to withdraw their approval of the final communiqué after leaving.
Ottawa instead sought consensus on a statement by the chair that summarizes key discussions, and six other prenegotiated declarations, such as those on migration, artificial intelligent, and forest fires.
The focus of Monday's discussions will be on the economy, trade agreements, and China. The surge in oil price since Israel's attack on Iran on 12 June has complicated efforts to reach an agreement on lowering the G7 cap on Russian oil, even if Trump decides to opt out. Diplomatic sources say that escalation is on the agenda. They hope to reach at least a statement that urges restraint and returns to diplomacy.
"We are one." "Nobody wants Iran to get a nuke and everyone wants the discussions and negotiations restarted," France's president Emmanuel Macron said to reporters in Greenland, Sunday, before he left for Canada.
Washington has the ability to restart talks with Israel, he said.
Trump said that many meetings and calls were being held to broker peace.
RUSSIAN ELEPHANT INSIDE THE ROOM
Trump, highlighting the unease of some Washington's allies on Saturday, spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He suggested that Putin could play a mediator role.
Macron rejected the idea. He argued that Moscow couldn't be a negotiator, because it started an illegal conflict against Ukraine.
A European diplomat stated that Trump's suggestion demonstrated the fact that despite Russia being kicked out in 2014 for annexing Crimea and having been expelled from the group, it was still on U.S. mind.
"In the U.S.' eyes, there is no condemnation of Ukraine; no peace with Russia; and even now credit for its role in mediating Iran. The diplomat stated that this G7 will be tough for Europeans.
The summit will be held on Tuesday. Both the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be attending. The European officials expressed their hope to use this meeting and the NATO summit next week to convince Trump to take a more aggressive stance against Putin.
Macron stated that the G7's goal should be to bring us back together, to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, which would lead to a robust, lasting peace. It is also important to see if President Trump will be willing to introduce much stronger sanctions against Russia. (Reporting and editing by Caroline Stauffer, Paul Simao, and John Irish)
(source: Reuters)