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As prices rise, the discount on ASIA GOLD in India increases.
The gold demand in India was subdued during this week as the near-record high prices discouraged buyers and caused dealers to offer larger discounts to attract them. Meanwhile, rates were also elevated across other major Asian hubs. Indian dealers are offering a discount The discount is now up to $10 per ounce compared to official domestic prices, including 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes. Jewellery stores across the country have seen a decrease in customers. The people aren't quite ready to purchase yet... The people are waiting for prices to drop, said a jeweller in Kolkata. The domestic gold price was around 97.500 rupees per gram on Friday, after reaching an all-time high of 101.078 rupees in the previous month. A Mumbai-based dealer for a private bank said that gold discounts may have increased due to a weakening demand. However, supplies are limited as a result of the sharp drop in imports. India's gold exports fell by 40% in June compared to a year earlier, reaching 21 tons. This was their lowest level for more than two-years, due to a sluggish market. Dealers in China, the top gold consumer in the world, have quoted discounts of up to $10 per ounce on spot prices, down from premiums of between $10 and $25 last week. Due to the summer holidays, I do not see much interest in physical purchases at this time. Peter Fung of Wing Fung Precious Metals, the head of trading, said that you might see a demand increase in October. In Hong Kong, gold Dealers in Singapore sold the product at a premium of $1-$2 Gold sold at a parity with global benchmarks, up to a $2.20 premium. In Japan, bullion The price of the stock fluctuated between $0.50 and $1. Reporting by Brijesh and Anushree Patel in Bengaluru; Rajendra Jadhav, Mumbai; editing by Eileen Soreng
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Investors suggest alternatives to YPF in dispute between US and Argentina
The U.S. Government sided with Argentina in its effort to temporarily suspend a court order requiring it to turn over its 51 percent stake in the oil and gas company YPF as part of a $16.1-billion judgment won by two investors. In a late-night filing, the U.S. government informed the 2nd U.S. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that it is in the public's interest to resolve the dispute on its merits "free of the rushed compulsion of a non-stayed turnover order, and any negative impact on U.S. Foreign Relations with Argentina." Petersen Energia Inversora, Eton Park Capital Management and other investors urged the Manhattan appeals court, to reject a stay on U.S. district judge Loretta Preska’s June 30, 2013 turnover order, while Argentina appeals. The appeal was likely to fail and Argentina's "strategy" of delaying and obstructing the collection of the $16.1 billion judgement, against which it is also appealing, justifies the turn-over. Investors said that if the court of appeals is not inclined to simply deny the stay, then it should return the matter to Preska so Argentina can propose alternative collaterals or set conditions in order to avoid "irreversible results" during the appeal. The investors' attorneys said that "Plaintiffs do not want to have their shares rendered unrecoverable if Argentina wins on appeal and they are not interested in running an oil firm." They would therefore accept reasonable conditions so the transfer of the shares can be unwound easily if needed. Outside of business hours, Argentina's representatives had no comment to make. Argentina said that it would suffer irreparable damage and its economy might be destabilized if they gave up their stake in YPF - the country's biggest energy company. You have until the 22nd of July to reply to the Investor's filing. Burford Capital, a litigation funding company, represents Petersen and Eton Park. Burford Capital has stated that it expects to receive between 35% and 73% respectively of the damages. The lawsuit arose out of Argentina's decision in 2012 to take the YPF stake away from Spain's Repsol, without making a bid to minorities shareholders. Preska will award the $16.1 billion verdict in September 2023. The U.S. Government expressed its position through a proposed friend of the court brief. This echoed a position that it took in November last year during the Biden Administration. Petersen, Eton Park and the U.S. government were said to be against its motion for filing a brief. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, New York; editing by Raju Gopikrishnan
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London's unloved shares are attracting foreign investors
The UK stock market is finally reversing its years-long underperformance compared to the rest of Europe. This comes as a result of a UK/U.S. A trade agreement, a softer regulatory environment and cheap stocks are delivering juicy returns which are beginning to attract foreign investors. The FTSE 100 is up nearly 10% in the last year, and has reached record highs, surpassing the STOXX 600 which is up 7.5%. London's blue chip index performed better on a year to date basis than its European counterpart in the last six week, the longest stretch of its kind since the end of 2022 when a weak pound boosted revenues for the export focused FTSE. The financial regulator announced this week that it would roll out new regulations to boost Britain's Capital Markets. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves asked the financial industry for a more positive picture of UK shares to be painted to potential retail investors as she sought new ways to revive an economy in stagnation. Asset managers claim that the UK narrative is changing, and the blue-chip index already looks appealing to foreign investors given the sterling's rally in this year. Justin Onuekwusi is chief investment officer of St. James's Place. He said, "We see signs that big asset allocators are coming back to the UK." He said: "I'm talking about non UK endowments and pension funds as well as asset owners, wealth management firms, who all underweighted the UK after Brexit." The FTSE-100 has risen nearly 18% in dollar terms so far this season, marking the highest dollar-denominated gains since 2009. This compares to a 6% gain year-to-date for the S&P 500 which also reached record highs. The pound is up 7% against the dollar this year as investors flee U.S. assets due to increased policy uncertainty in the U.S. under President Donald Trump. This acts as a drag on FTSE members, 80% whose revenues come from abroad. The index is insulated from the economy's swings by its large defensive companies like AstraZeneca, Tesco, and healthcare. The company also holds growth-sensitive resources such as Anglo American, BP and other companies that can tap into the strength of oil, copper and Gold. Britain is one of few countries that are less concerned about trade uncertainty because a U.S.-UK trade agreement has been signed. The European Union, on the other hand, faces 30% tariffs in the event of a failure to reach an agreement by August 1. 'TEA AND BISCUIT The UK stock market can be a calming cup and biscuits in an uncertain time. "There's nothing fancy, just names that are reliable and do their jobs day after day," AJ Bell Investment Analyst Dan Coatsworth stated. Since years, the valuations of FTSE-100 companies has lagged behind those in Europe. Brexit in 2016 accelerated this trend. Fewer companies listed their shares on the London Stock Exchange and few were used as M&A targets. The UK market has caught up. The FTSE-100 12-month forward P/E ratio is at 12.5, the highest in five years. This compares to 14.11 for STOXX. It's the smallest gap for 18 months. S&P is trading at a premium of nearly 10 points to the FTSE compared to just 2 points a decade ago. The relative poor performance in the UK, compared to the U.S., over the last two years is beginning to reverse. Michael Stiasny said that we're at the beginning of this. He added that the UK equity market had traded at "significant discounts". The pound has reached a high of four years against the dollar but is weaker against the euro. This year's weakness against the euro offers a boost to FTSE exporters. Official data shows that the EU will be Britain's biggest trading partner in 2024. The United States will follow with 22%. Not everything is rosy. The British economy has slowed down, business activity is slowing and employment is declining. Inflation is above the Bank of England target of 2%. Barclays data indicates that UK equity has seen a net outflow in 2025 of $20 billion, though outflows are almost non-existent in the past month. This compares to Europe's $13 billion year-to date inflow and its rapidly slowing inflows. Sebastian Raedler is the head of European Equity Strategy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He believes that the FTSE has been performing well because of the currency, and it's in line with Europe. He said that a 2% increase in the FTSE by 2025 compared to the STOXX would be a minor improvement.
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China's spy agency targets foreign attempts to "steal" rare earths
China's Ministry of State Security said Friday that foreign spy agencies have tried to "steal", rare earths. It also pledged to crackdown on infiltration and espionage targeting its vital mineral sector. The spy agency claimed that foreign intelligence agencies and their agents colluded with domestic lawbreakers to steal rare earth items from China. This posed a serious risk to China's security. The ministry reported that it had discovered attempts by an unknown country to circumvent export restrictions through forging labels, falsifying manifests and transshipping, which involves products being routed via third countries to their final destination. Exclusively this month, it was reported that large amounts of antimony (a metal used to make batteries, chips and fire retardants) appeared to have been shipped into the United States through Thailand and Mexico following China's ban on U.S. exports. In retaliation to U.S. Tariffs, China added several rare-earth magnets and other related products to its export restrictions list early in April. Due to shortages, some automakers outside China were forced to temporarily suspend production. China's rare-earths exports increased 32% from the previous month in June, a sign that the agreements made between Washington and Beijing last month to open up the flow of metals have been successful. Nvidia’s plan to resume sales of its H20 AI chip in China was part the rare earth talks. (Reporting and editing by Kate Mayberry in Beijing)
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Morning bid Europe-stocks are buoyant, but Japan's vote is a risk
Stella Qiu gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The share markets continue to defy the laws of gravity. Wall Street closed yet another record-high as investors seized on positive economic signals. This sparked a rally that has continued in Europe and most Asian markets. A new worry has emerged in Japan. An upper house election this Sunday could threaten the majority of Prime minister Shigeru Shiba's ruling alliance. Japanese stocks, bonds and yen are all falling due to the increased political risk. The broadest MSCI index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan reached its highest level since late 2021, but Tokyo's Nikkei fell 0.3%. Meanwhile, the yen is headed for a third straight week of losses. It's down 0.7% at 148.45 to dollar, near a 2-month low. The yields on 10-year JGBs fell 1 basis point on Friday to 1.545%, but are still not far off the 17-year-old high of 1.585% that was reached earlier in this week. The opening of the European stock markets is expected to be higher, with EUROSTOXX futures rising by 0.3%. The Sunday elections in Japan could be the most important upper house elections in many years. They may add to the political instability in a period of rising concerns over fiscal sustainability, uncertainty about interest rates and lack of progress in trade negotiations with the U.S. Japan's core rate of inflation fell in June, but it remained above the central bank target of 2%. This highlights the high cost-of living that is plaguing Ishiba. Investors are also happy about the robust earnings of U.S. corporations and the resilient U.S. economic situation. Wall Street futures have firmed up a bit, while Netflix's results exceeded expectations, partly due to the weaker dollar. This could be good news for export earnings. For the rest of today, the economic and events calendars are mostly empty. Fed Governor Christopher Waller reiterated support for a cut in interest rates at the end this month. He cited mounting risks to the economic. Fed funds futures indicate that there is little chance of any movement on the 30th July, while a rate cut in September is about 60% priced-in. This year, a total easing of 45 basis points is expected. The following are key developments that may influence the markets on Friday. Germany PPI for the month of June The German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, and the Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel spoke on the sidelines at the G20 in Durban U.S. University of Michigan consumer Sentiment survey
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Dalian iron ore to gain fourth weekly on demand optimism
Dalian iron ore prices rose on Friday, heading for a fourth straight weekly gain as a positive demand outlook and expectations of further support from Beijing lifted market sentiment. As of 0320 GMT, the most traded September iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose by 0.7% to reach 787.5 Yuan ($109.67), per metric ton. This week, the contract gained 3.01%. The benchmark August Iron Ore at the Singapore Exchange rose 0.57% to $101.4 per ton this week, an increase of 2.19%. Analysts from ANZ stated that traders are optimistic about improved steel margins after Beijing's signal to reduce overcapacity. Hopes for new stimulus in the property sector have also boosted market sentiment. ANZ said that lower inventories of both iron ore, and steel, are fueling expectations for restocking to occur in the months to come. SteelHome, a consultancy, says that total iron ore stockpiles across Chinese ports fell by 0.76% in a week to 130.9 millions tons on July 18. This has further supported prices. Galaxy Futures, a broker, reported that the current demand for iron is strong, while steel consumption remains high in the manufacturing industry. Galaxy said that the prices are further supported by expectations of reforms to supply-side policies. BHP, a mining giant, reported an annual record iron ore output of 290 millions tons. The fourth quarter production was 77.5 million tonnes, exceeding the market's expectations. Strong retail sales data boosted the dollar. Dollar-denominated investments become more expensive to holders of other currencies when the greenback is stronger. Coking coal and coke both rose by 2.55% and 0.8% respectively. All steel benchmarks at the Shanghai Futures Exchange gained ground. Hot-rolled coils and stainless steel gained 0.24% and 0.88% respectively. ($1 = 7,1807 Chinese yuan). (Reporting and editing by Rashmi Liew)
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High-Voltage Substation for RWE’s Thor Wind Farm Sails Away from HSM Offshore
HSM Offshore Energy has completed the buildout and delivery oof the Thor offshore high voltage substation (OHVS) for RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm in Denmark.The completed yard constructed and delivery marked the achievement of three major milestones - the load-out of the jacket, the load-out of the topside, and the sail-away of the jacket and substation, which have now left the Schiedam yard and are en route to its final destination off the Danish coast.Thor is a joint 1.1 GW offshore wind project of RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%).The Thor OHVS is a critical component of Denmark’s largest offshore wind project to date, which will be capable to supply more than one million Danish households with clean electricity.Positioned approximately 22 kilometres off the west coast of Jutland, the substation will collect and transform power from 72 wind turbines before transmission to the onshore grid at Volder Søndervang.Awarded in 2022, HSM Offshore Energy was entrusted with the full EPCIC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning) contract including HV equipment for both the topside and jacket foundation.The topside measures 39 by 36 by 18 metres and weighs approximately 2,600 metric tonnes, while the jacket spans 40 by 40 by 50 metres and weighs approximately 2,500 metric tonnes.“Delivering the Thor substation from first steel to sail-away has been a highly rewarding and technically complex journey. This achievement reflects the deep dedication, expertise, and teamwork across all disciplines, partners and subcontractors. The Thor project demonstrates what’s possible when innovation and integration come together - and it sets a new benchmark for what offshore substations can and should be,” said Koen Moons, Project Manager at HSM Offshore Energy.The installation of the Thor OHVS is expected to take place later in summer 2025, with the commissioning to follow, Günther Fenle, Project Director for Thor at RWE added.
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Solstad’s Normand Pioneer CSV Up for Petrobras Job
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Maritime has secured work for its Normand Pioneer construction support vessel (CSV) for the end-client Petrobras.The vessel will be on a bareboat contract from Solstad Maritime to Solstad Offshore (SOFF), which is the contract holder with Petrobras.Normand Pioneer CSV will be mobilized with a heave compensated E-type gangway system from Ampelmann to the contract that will beging in October 2025.Duration of the contract is 180 days firm and has a gross value of approximately $17 million, including mobilization.Built in 1999, Normand Pioneer features UT 742 design, and is capable of accommodating 73 people.
Stellantis increases production capacity in Morocco
Stellantis, a car manufacturer in Morocco, plans to double its production capacity in the next few months at its Kenitra plant to 535,000 cars annually, said its Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East & Africa on Wednesday.
Samir Cherfan, at the opening of the expansion of the plant, said that the plant would increase production of supermini-electric cars, including the Citroen AMI, Opel Rocks e and Fiat Topolino, to 70,000 units from 20,000.
Aziz Akhannouch, the Moroccan Prime Minister, said that the 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) of expansion will raise the local sourcing to 75% in 2030. This compares to a current rate of 69%.
Stellantis plans to manufacture hybrid engines as well as three-wheeled cars at the facility.
Kenitra, which was opened in 2019 and has a capacity to produce 200,000 cars by 2020.
The French automaker Renault, as well as parts suppliers, are also located in Morocco.
At the inauguration, Ryad Mezour, Morocco's industry minister said that Stellantis will expand to help Morocco reach a production capacity of 1 million cars.
Official figures show that the country's auto industry exports will reach a new record of 157 billion dirhams (17 billion dollars) in 2024.
In recent years, Chinese battery manufacturers have invested in Morocco's automotive industry to prepare it for the transition to electric mobility.
(source: Reuters)