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Gold stable as rising yields offset dollar weakening; PCE data is in focus
Gold prices were mostly unchanged on Thursday, as rising U.S. Treasury rates offset support from the weaker dollar. Markets awaited Friday's U.S. Inflation data to get clues about Federal Reserve policy ahead of their December meeting. As of 1505 GMT, spot gold was down 0.2% at $4,195.69 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery were down 0.2% to $4,224.10 an ounce. Edward Meir, Marex analyst, said: "Higher yields keep a little cap on gold's upside. The general dollar index provides some support." Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury Yields rose by 0.8%. The U.S. Dollar Index hit a new low for a month, making gold more accessible to overseas buyers. The latest data on Thursday shows that the number of new U.S. unemployment benefits claims fell to 191,000 in the past week, which is lower than it has been for over three years. This figure was also well below what economists had predicted at 220,000. ADP's report on Wednesday showed that private payrolls in the United States fell by 32,000 during November. This was the largest drop in over two and half years. Over 100 economists surveyed by predicted that the Federal Reserve would reduce its key rate by 25 basis point at its policy meeting on December 9-10, as it seeks to support the cooling labor market. Gold is a non-yielding asset that benefits from lower interest rates. Investors will be watching the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator, the Personal Consumption Expenditures report (PCE), due on Friday. Meir said that the markets will remain relatively unchanged between now and next Monday. As for gold, we are likely to be in a trading range which is fairly uneventful. Silver fell 3.3%, to $56.54, after reaching a record-high of $58.98. Silver is up 96% in this year due to a structural shortage, market liquidity concerns and inclusion on the U.S. Critical Minerals list. Palladium fell 2.1%, to $1430.38, while platinum dropped 2.2%, to $1634.15. (Reporting from Anmol Choubey and Naveen Thkral in Singapore, with editing by Leroy Leo.)
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US fuel efficiency rule could bring back station wagons
Trump's administration claims that its proposed fuel-economy rollback could allow automakers resume building station wagons – a popular family vehicle in the 1970s and 1980s. Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary at CNBC said: "This rule allows you to bring the 1970s Station Wagon back -- maybe with a little wood paneling along the side." "We can give consumers more choice. The minivan may be cool, but the station wagon might also be." In its proposal on Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the Transportation Department said that fuel efficiency regulations had led manufacturers to change the market in unexpected ways. "For example, almost eliminating station wagon production." Detroit Three automakers stopped producing full-size wagons by the mid-1990s, but smaller wagons were still produced by U.S. automobile manufacturers until 2008. Trucks are subject to more stringent regulations than cars. Station wagons fall under the category of passenger cars, while minivans and crossover utility vehicle are classified as light trucks. Jonathan Morrison, NHTSA Administrator, raised the issue of Station Wagons separately in a phone call earlier this week with automakers. NHTSA announced on Wednesday that it would significantly reduce the fuel efficiency requirements for model years 2022-2031. The average mileage requirement will be reduced to 34.5 miles per galon by 2031 from 50.4 (21,4 km per liter). NHTSA estimates that the proposed rule will reduce average vehicle costs up front by $930 but increase fuel consumption around 100 billion gallons by 2050. This could cost Americans an additional $185 billion in fuel and increase CO2 emissions by 5%. Transportation is the largest contributor to U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases. Trump signed legislation earlier this year that eliminated fuel economy penalties for automobile manufacturers. The NHTSA also said automakers would not be fined going back to 2022. (Reporting and editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alexandra Hudson.
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Edison CEO: Group accelerates green investments; EDF eyes minority stake sale
Edison's green investment will increase the Italian utility’s borrowings, said its CEO. EDF, the parent company, plans to sell a majority stake in the unit, to avoid an increase in its debt. The Italian utility announced earlier on Thursday that it will begin working on renewable projects in Italy with a combined power of more than 500 megawatts. Edison CEO Nicola Monti said in an interview that "EDF had many investments to be made in France, particularly in the nuclear sector. The intention to open (our) capital – only for a minor stake – is to allow Edison implement its development plans without burdening EDF’s consolidated debt." Monti stated that EDF advisers were currently studying how to reduce Edison's parent company's stake in Edison Capital. Monti added that EDF has not changed its plan to retain the majority of the Italian unit. Italian media reported recently that the national infrastructure fund F2i might form a consortium with investors to acquire Edison's majority. Monti stated that the EDF management has repeatedly stated that the company would only be interested in a minority stake. Edison reported revenues in the amount of 18.4 billion euros (15.4 billion euros) and a core profit of 1.7 milliards euros. State-owned EDF, under the leadership of its new CEO Bernard Fontana has selected Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Lazard and Lazard as partners. Review your assets Two sources familiar with the situation said that EDF may end up selling about 30% of its Italian subsidiary. Edison will accelerate the development of renewable energy in Italy. It aims to double its current green capacity from 2 gigawatts to 4-5 GW by 2030, Monti stated. He added that Edison would continue to take part in auctions in order to receive government incentives in Italy for green power. Monti, the Italian minister of energy, said that Italy completed its first auction, under the FER X incentive program, on Monday, by awarding 400 Megawatts (MW) of renewable power to Edison.
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Sources say that Indian fertiliser companies will sign a deal with Uralchem for the establishment of a Russian plant.
Three sources say that Indian firms will sign a joint venture agreement with Uralchem, Russia's largest potash and ammonium-nitrate producer during the visit of President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on Friday to build a urea factory in Russia. Sources said that the project, which aims to strengthen India's fertiliser security over the long term, will see India Potash Ltd and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd holding each a 22,5% stake in a joint venture. National Fertilizers Ltd. will own a 5% share, while Uralchem holds the remainder and will lead the project. India, Asia’s third largest economy, depends heavily on imported crop nutrition to support its vast agricultural sector. This sector employs approximately 40% of the labor force and contributes about 15% of its $4 trillion GDP. India's imports of fertilisers from Russia increased by more than threefold from 2021 to $1.7 billion, reaching a peak of $2.7 billion in the year 2022. In April-October 2025, the total amount of fertiliser imported increased by 82% on an annual basis to $10 billion. One source said that the new plant would run on natural gases and will follow a similar model to India's long-standing overseas fertiliser joint enterprise in Oman. Uralchem and the Indian companies did not respond immediately to our queries. New Delhi is working to diversify, stabilise and increase the supply of fertilisers amid volatile markets and increasing geopolitical tensions. India imported 5.6 millions metric tons (MT) of urea during the fiscal year 2024/25 ending in March. This is down from 9.8 MT in 2020/21 as domestic capacity increased and sourcing patterns changed. Uralchem, the planned deal to be signed by Putin during his two-day visit to India, is expected deepen India's long term fertiliser cooperation with Moscow, even though Russian trade remains subject to Western sanctions. India imports urea also from Oman and Qatar. It imported 5,9 million tons of agricultural-grade urea between April and October 2025. This is up from 2.5 million tons the previous year. (Reporting and editing by Elaine Hardcastle; Nidhi verma)
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Niger accuses France’s Orano of uranium pollution as the uranium dispute deepens
Niger accused French nuclear fuel company Orano, of "predatory behaviour" and environmental crimes. This escalated a bitter dispute about control of the West African country's uranium mining. Orano, the military-led government, could be prosecuted for "mass crime" after 400 barrels radioactive core were found in Madaouela near Arlit where Orano operated its uranium mining operations. Orano, 90% owned in France by the state, denied that it was operating in Madaouela and said it did not receive any official notification of legal action. In a written answer to questions, the company stated that it did not have an operating license at the Madaouela location and had never conducted any operations there. Justice Minister Alio Daouda stated that the radiation levels in the area were much higher than usual -- approximately 7 to 10 microsieverts an hour, as opposed to the normal 0.5 microsieverts. Two substances were also detected that could cause breathing problems or be harmful for people. ORANO HAS NOTICE OF NIGER'S LEGAL ACTION BUT NO ACTIVITY FROM ORANO Orano lost 63.4% of its stake in the Somair Mine when Niger nationalized it in June. Niger started transporting uranium last week. It said it was exercising its sovereignty right, despite an order from a World Bank Tribunal barring it access to the stockpile. Orano called the move illegal and warned that the shipment was a serious risk to safety and the environment, claiming it did not have any evidence that the transport met international standards. Niger is a major producer of cancer treatment materials and nuclear fuel. France, which relies 70% on nuclear energy for its electricity, purchased about 15% of the uranium it needed from Niger during its peak mining period. The expropriation by Niger of Orano shares reflects a regional shift in which military-led governments are asserting greater control over resources. Previous reports stated that around 1,500 metric tonnes of uranium was stockpiled at Somair. Potential buyers included Turkish, Iranian, and Russian interests. Reporting by Niger Newsroom in Dakar and Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Editing by Felix Bate, Tomaszjanowski and Tomasz Bate
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Putin meets Modi at a summit in India
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, landed at New Delhi airport on Thursday. He was welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the first time the Russian leader has visited India since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine four years ago. Putin will be accompanied on his two-day visit by senior Russian ministers, as well as a large Russian delegation of businessmen. Moscow and New Delhi are looking to expand their economic relations beyond defence and energy. Modi will host Putin at a private dinner Thursday, and the two leaders are scheduled to hold a summit on Friday. Modi's arrival to welcome Putin at the airport was a rare act, as foreign leaders are normally received by senior Indian Ministers. After Putin descended from the plane, the two leaders hugged each other on a red carpet. Modi met Qatar's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani last February. In 2020, he will also be receiving Donald Trump as he visits India.
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Kazakh steelmaker Qarmet issues $500 million of bonds at Astana Exchange
The Astana International Trade website reported that Kazakhstan's steelmaker Qarmet had placed bonds for seven years worth $500 million at a coupon of 10.2%. The company has issued 5 million bonds at a par of $100. This is the second issue of this kind since it placed $500 million in bonds priced at 11% annually back in September. Trading will start on December 5. Qarmet will use $150 million for refinancing existing loans, and $350 millions to finance investment projects. This includes reimbursement of capital expenditures and refinancing debts. Qarmet, owned by ArcelorMittal until 2023, was sold to Qazaqstan Investment Corporation, a state-owned fund, for $286m. Qarmet was acquired by Kazakh businessman Andrei Lavrentiev. He is the chairman of Allur automaker. Assets of the company include the Karaganda Metallurgical Plant and a number of coal mines and power plants. Qarmet says it plans to produce 9 million tonnes per year of coal and 5 millions tonnes per year of iron ore by 2028. Reporting by Mariya Goreyeva, Writing by Lucy Papachristou, Editing by Andrew Osborn
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Investors look forward to the next Fed meeting as they lower gold on stronger stocks
Gold prices fell on Thursday, as investors focused on the Federal Reserve meeting next week and U.S. economic data that could influence interest rate outlooks. As of 1252 GMT, spot gold was down 0.4% at $4,191.26 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery were down 0.3% to $4,221 an ounce. Gold bulls are on the sidelines awaiting tomorrow's PCE figures. "This, along with a rise in risk appetite on equity markets, limits the upside of gold prices," ActivTrades Analyst Ricardo Evangelista stated. Global shares rose on Thursday as investors hoped that the U.S. will cut rates next week to support its largest economy, after a series of data revealed a slowdown in employment. The ADP report on Wednesday showed that private payrolls in the United States fell by 32,000, the largest drop in over two and half years. However, the low number of layoffs may have inflated the labour market's weakness. Investors now focus on U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims due today and the delayed September Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE Index) released Friday, as these are the final key data points prior to next week's FOMC Meeting. According to CME's FedWatch, the markets expect an 89% probability of a rate reduction next week. Major brokerages are also expecting easing during the December 9-10 meetings. Gold is a non-yielding asset that tends to be favoured by lower interest rates. Silver fell by 1.8%, to $57.43, after reaching a record-high of $58.98. Silver prices have risen by 101% in this year, due to concerns over market liquidity following outflows from U.S. stockpiles, its inclusion on the U.S. Critical Minerals list and structural supply deficit. MarketPulse analyst Zain Vawda said, "Market participants are likely to be ahead of the game given the massive capex that is expected in regards to AI and Data Centers, which will both lead to an increase in demand for silver, and increase the supply/demand imbalance heading into 2026." Palladium fell 0.4% to 1,455. Platinum dropped 1.6% to $1644.25, and platinum lost 1.6%. (Reporting and editing by Jane Merriman in Bengaluru; Louise Heavens, Ed Osmond, and Jane Merriman)
Trump hosts Congo and Rwanda leaders in latest peace push
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, will meet with leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Washington to sign new agreements aimed at stabilizing war-torn region and attracting Western investment.
The Rwandan president Paul Kagame, and the Democratic Republic of Congo president Felix Tshisekedi will be expected to declare their commitment to a economic integration compact that has already been agreed.
Last month,
As well as an U.S.-brokered
peace deal
Reached in June, but not yet implemented
Analysts claim that U.S. diplomatic efforts have halted the escalation in fighting in eastern Congo, but failed to resolve fundamental issues. M23 rebels, supported by Rwandan troops, took control of the two biggest cities in eastern Congo in an explosive advance earlier this year, raising fears of a wider conflict.
Trump is eager to polish his diplomatic credentials. Since January 2017, his administration has intervened across conflicts, from the Middle East and Ukraine to beyond. These efforts have produced mixed results. They include a deal with Gaza, and criticisms that the president should concentrate on increasing discontent in the United States over his handling of cost of living issues.
Before the meeting, the name of the president was added to an outside sign of the United States Institute of Peace. This is a nonprofit founded by the government that his administration attempted to take control of earlier in the year. The deal will be signed at the Institute.
However, the agreement may not immediately resolve the humanitarian crisis.
In dueling speeches on Tuesday, Congo’s army and the M23 rebels both accused each other in separate statements of violating ceasefire agreements which were renewed last week. Patrick Muyaya, a Congolese official who spoke at a Washington news conference on Wednesday, blamed M23's recent violence and said that it was "proof Rwanda doesn’t want peace."
M23 will not be attending the Washington meeting. The M23 is not bound to any Congo-Rwanda agreements.
Jason Stearns is a professor and regional expert at Canada's Simon Fraser University. He said that the U.S. has succeeded in putting a pin on the conflict, so that it does not escalate. "They've only done a little bit, which is to put a pin into it. The core issues are still not resolved." It doesn't seem like the issues are getting any closer to resolution.
Rwanda denies backing M23. Kigali claims that its forces acted in defense of themselves against ethnic Hutu militiamen connected to the Rwandan genocide. In a report published in July, a group of United Nations specialists said that Rwanda exerts command and control over rebels.
M23 claims it is fighting to protect the ethnic Tutsi in eastern Congo. The advances of the rebel group mark the latest episode of an ethnic rivalry that has been raging in the eastern borderlands between Congo and Rwanda for over 30 years.
Between 1996 and 2003, two devastating wars in Africa's Great Lakes region cost millions of people their lives. The latest round of fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
A MINERAL-RICH REGION
The Trump administration discussed the possibility of facilitating Western investments worth billions of dollars in a region that is rich in minerals such as tantalum and tungsten. It also has copper, gold, cobalt and lithium. Washington is scrambling to gain access to vital minerals controlled by China, its main rival.
According to the agreement backed by Trump, Congo would have to crackdown on an armed opposition group to M23 - the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda(FDLR). Rwanda would have to withdraw its troops from Congo. Since the signing of the agreement in June, there has been little progress made towards either commitment.
In an interview on Wednesday, Rwandan Foreign Ministry Olivier Nduhungirehe said: "We hope to see improvements on the ground after the signing."
(source: Reuters)