Latest News
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New Zealand prepares for heavy rain and severe gales following floods that killed one person
New Zealand's forecaster warned Sunday of intensifying heavy rains and severe 'gales' for the country's North Island. This comes a day after flooding that was linked to the death of a single person led to power outages and road collapses, as well as home evacuations. The weather forecaster stated that "a significant low deepens today east of the North Island, bringing severe gales and heavy rain to the eastern, middle, and southern North Island." On its website, the weather service said that the worst of the storm was expected to arrive late Sunday. This would be followed by a gradual easing on Monday. Heavy rains began 'bashing large areas of the country Friday and causing the flooding. The authorities declared a state-of-emergency on Sunday for the Otorohanga District, a hard hit agricultural region with about 10,000 residents, located 180 km south of Auckland, the nation's largest city. On Facebook, the 'Otorohanga district council said that teams of geotechnical engineers "spent last night assessing slips" and checking the structural stability of roads in the area. Powerco reported on its website that 2,452 homes remained without electricity on the North Island. Authorities reported that a man died Saturday in his car, apparently drowned by floodwaters. They also said that 80 people had been evacuated to an emergency center. Images shared on social media showed vast semirural neighborhoods submerged, and sections of road that had collapsed where floodwaters receded. Reporting by Sam McKeith, Sydney Editing Rod Nickel
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Judge rules that Exxon Mobil may sue the California Attorney General for defamation regarding recycling
The federal judge rejected the California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s request to dismiss Exxon Mobil’s lawsuit accusing Bonta of defamation for criticizing Exxon Mobil’s?advanced? plastics recycling initiatives. Bonta claimed that he had immunity from suit because he criticised Exxon while in his official capacity of Attorney General and within the "heartland' of his employment duties. The Beaumont, Texas judge said that whether Bonta criticised Exxon with good faith is a factual question to be decided later. Truncale said he had no jurisdiction to hear the claims made against the Sierra Club, Baykeeper Heal the Bay, and Surfrider Foundation. Bonta's Office did not respond immediately to requests for comment. This campaign of lies aimed at derailing our advanced recycling business has to stop. "We refuse to allow others to attack our reputation and technologies?for financial and political gains," said an Exxon spokesperson in a press release. Exxon is increasingly willing to defend itself against critics who claim that its operations are harmful to the climate or increase greenhouse gas emissions. In January 2025 the company based in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas sued Bonta, almost four months after California filed a lawsuit accusing Exxon for decades of lying about the limitations on recycling. Exxon manufactures polymers that are used to create single-use plastics. Bonta, a Democrat from California, objected Exxon’s promotion of their advanced recycling technology. This process converts hard-to recycle plastic into fuel. REVIEW SOME CHALLENGING STATEMENTS Exxon alleged that Bonta had made 14 statements in interviews, on-line posts, and other public appearances. Three statements claimed that Exxon’s recycling plan "was not based on truth", that plastic waste "piled up" in Houston, despite recycling efforts and that only 5% of U.S.?plastic?waste was recycled, while the remainder polluted the environment, waters, oceans and wildlife. Two of these statements were taken from an interview. In a 46 page decision, Truncale stated that it "wouldn't be unfair" for the statements to be reviewed as possible defamation, because they clearly involved Exxon or were based on Texas-based sources. The judge stated that Bonta's immunity as an official "depends on whether his statements are objectively false." He added that Bonta made a statement in an email with a link to a fundraising campaign, and that "campaigning was not Bonta’s job." Truncale's appointment to the bench was made in 2019 by Republican president Donald Trump. Jonathan Stempel, New York; David Gregorio, Matthew Lewis and Matthew Lewis.
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Italian PM Meloni offers debt suspension to African states affected by climate shock
Giorgia meloni, the Italian prime minister, said that Italy and their 'African partners' had centered their recent talks on a re-evaluation of the continent's?debt burden. Rome offered countries a chance for them to suspend payments when they are hit by extreme weather events. Meloni, at the end of the second Italy-Africa meeting in Addis Ababa, said: "Today we once again focused on a central issue for?Africa which is debt." "We launched a wide initiative on debt conversion for joint development project. We are adding debt suspension clauses to?this for nations that have been affected by extreme weather events. Meloni will attend the plenary of the 39th meeting of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of?African Union on Saturday in Addis-Abeba. She didn't give any?details about how the suspension mechanism proposed would work, or which states might?take it up. Italy's foreign policy has placed a high priority on cooperation with African nations, notably through its "Mattei Plan," whose goal, according to Rome, is to create long-term partnerships for energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. (Reporting and editing by Tomaszjanowski)
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Mali renews Barrick Mining’s Loulo licence for another 10 years
Mali's military leader said in a Friday statement that the government had approved a draft decree renewing Barrick Mining Loulo's gold mining permit for another 10 years. Mali, Africa's largest gold producer, settled a dispute with Barrick in November over profit-sharing, control and ownership of the Loulo-Gounkoto complex of gold mines after two years' negotiations. The dispute was sparked by 2023 mining codes that increased taxes and increased state stakes in projects. Barrick has agreed to withdraw from the World Bank’s dispute tribunal its arbitration case, while Mali said that it would release all employees of the Canadian company, drop all charges and give operational control to the Canadian miner. Barrick conducted a feasibility study as part of the permit renewal. The study identified economically viable reserves that could support six years of open-pit mining or 16 years of underground mines. Gross annual production is estimated to be 420,920oz, according to the statement. Loulo-Gounkoto, located in western Mali, is the 'largest producer in the country and Barrick's most lucrative mine. It will generate almost $900,000,000 in revenue by 2024. (Reporting and writing by Mali Newsroom; Editing and proofreading by David Gregorio).
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Sources say Valero, a US refiner, will import up to 6 million barrels Venezuelan crude oil in March.
Valero Energy will buy up to 6.5 millions barrels of Venezuelan oil in March for its Gulf Coast refining plants, making it 'the top foreign refiner since the United States captured Nicolas Maduro, in January. Valero is one of the first U.S. oil refiners that resumed imports after the United States signed a landmark $2 billion oil deal with Venezuela's interim government, and started to ease sanctions. If Valero can buy 10 or more cargoes of Venezuelan crude next month, which is equivalent to 210,000 barrels a day, then it will surpass U.S. oil giant Chevron in the United States as the largest refiner. This would be the highest amount of Venezuelan crude oil Valero has processed since the United States sanctioned Venezuela's oil industry in January 2019. Sources told us last month that Chevron, which is the only U.S. oil company producing in Venezuela, will increase its exports to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March from 220,000 in January. Chevron refines about half of its exports in its refineries and sells the remainder to other U.S. refining companies. Valero receives a large share of the Venezuelan oil that Chevron sells to U.S. refining companies. Six sources claim that Chevron will supply Valero most of the oil the refiner plans to import in March. Valero also has negotiated a few?cargoes with trading houses, including Trafigura. Trafigura was the first company authorized by the U.S. Government last month to trade Venezuelan oil alongside Chevron. According to a shipping schedule seen by the. Sources warned that the loading schedules are not finalized, and may still be revised. The sources spoke under condition of anonymity in order to discuss confidential information. Vitol, Trafigura and Trafigura have declined to make any comments. Chevron PDVSA and Chevron did not respond immediately to requests for comments. A spokesperson for Valero referred to remarks made by executive Randy Hawkins following the release of its fourth quarter earnings on January 29, 2019. Hawkins said that Valero is in discussions with Venezuelan oil sellers and expects it to be a large portion of the heavy-crude purchased in February and march. Valero had a long-term agreement with PDVSA to purchase crude oil before U.S. sanctioned. Valero’s total refinery capacity for Venezuelan crude was around 240,000 bpd, before the expansion of its 435,000 bpd Port Arthur, Texas refinery, scheduled to take place in 2023. Hawkins stated that the company expects to now be able to?process a much greater?volume? of Venezuelan crude oil. VENEZUELA IMPORTS RAMP UP The United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated in Caracas that Venezuela's oil exports and production are expected to increase "dramatically" in the next few months. After production cuts were reversed last month, the country's oil output reached 1 million barrels per day (bpd) this month. Exports jumped to 800,000 bpd during January. Wright, NBC News' correspondent on Thursday, said that oil sales in Venezuela under U.S. management have reached $1 billion since Maduro was captured. Another $5 billion will be deposited into a U.S. controlled fund over the next few months. Since January, the United States has issued 'general licenses' authorizing oil exports to Venezuela, fuel supplies, equipment for oil and natural gas production, oilfield extensions, and new investments. According to three sources, Valero is considering purchasing oil directly from PDVSA using the new authorizations. This could allow them to increase their volumes. PDVSA has so far refused to sell to companies that do not have individual U.S. licensing, as there are still questions about what is allowed and what is prohibited, according to sources.
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Holiday schedule for US economic and other data
Presidents Day, which falls on February 16, will impact the schedule for the release of major economic, energy and commodities reports in Washington for the week beginning February 15. The schedule is below. The times are in GMT/EST. Treasury announcements may be subject to change. Monday, February 16, 2019 Presidents Day. Closed: Federal government offices, Federal Reserve and International?Monetary Fund, stock and Bond markets. Tuesday, February 17, 2019 National Association of Home Builders releases U.S. Housing Market Index, February, 1000/1500 Conference Board releases Employment Trends, January 1000/1500. Rescheduled event from February 9. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases weekly U.S. Export Inspections for Grains, Oilseeds, 1110/1600. Note: this week's inspections are delayed from Monday because of the holiday. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Due to the holiday, this sale has been delayed. National Oilseed Processors Association releases U.S. monthly soya crushings, 1120/1700 Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Wednesday, February 18, Mortgage Bankers Association releases weekly Mortgage Application Survey, 0700/1200 Redbook releases weekly retail sales index 0855/1355. Note: this is a delayed update from Tuesday. Commerce Dept. Issues Durable Goods Report for December. Housing Starts Report for December. 0830/1330. Note: The Housing Starts report includes initial November estimates Federal Reserve releases Industrial Production for January, 0915/1415 Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Department issues Treasury International Capital Report for December, 16:00/2100 American Petroleum Institute releases weekly national petroleum reports, 1630/2130. Due to the holiday, Tuesday's report has been delayed. Thursday, February 19, 2019 Weekly Jobless Claims Reports by the Labor Dept. Weekly Jobless Claims Reports, 0830/1330 Commerce Dept. releases Advance Economic Indicators for December; International Trade?for December, 0830/1330 Commerce Dept. releases Advance Economic Indicators (AED) for December; International trade?for December 0830/1330 National Association of Realtors releases Pending Home Sales for the Month of January, 1000/1500 Energy Information Administration (EIA), 1030/1530, releases weekly U.S. Underground Natural Gas Stocks. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Freddie Mac issues weekly U.S. mortgage rates, 1200/1700 EIA releases weekly petroleum stock and output data, 1200/1700. NOTE: time change from Wednesday due to holiday. Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. Federal Reserve releases weekly balance sheet 1630/2130 Friday, February 20, 2019 Commerce Dept. No time limit is set for the Permit Revisions issued by Commerce Dept. NOTE: Report will include the initial November estimates. Commerce Department issues an advance (first estimate) of U.S. Q4 Gross Domestic Product; issues Personal Income for December, 0830/1330 Commerce?Dept. USDA Releases Weekly Export Sales, 0830/1330. Due to the holiday, export sales are released on Fridays. Commerce Department releases Single-Family Home Sales for December, 1000/1500. Commerce Department releases Single-Family Homes Sales for December, 1000/1500. Report will include November initial estimates Treasury Dept. Treasury Dept. USDA Cattle on Feed monthly, 1500/2000
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CORRECTED - S&P 500 slightly down as inflation and tech drop
The S&P 500 barely closed higher on Friday. Technology and communications services were down due to lingering fears of AI disruption, but equity markets gained support from optimism that cooling inflation data will support Federal Reserve rate cuts. The CME Group's FedWatch tool showed that U.S. consumer price increases were lower than expected in January. This led traders to increase the probability of a 25-basis point cut in interest rates in June from 48.9% to 52.3%. This is a very good number. This suggests we are still far from the Fed's 2% target, but that inflation is not increasing. Peter Cardillo is the chief market economist of Spartan Capital Securities, New York. Preliminary data shows that the S&P 500 rose 2.32 points or 0.03% to 6,835.08 while the Nasdaq Composite fell 52.04 points or 0.23% to 22,545.11. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 47.44 points or 0.10% to 49,499.42. Recent equity markets have retreated from record highs as fears about disruption by artificial intelligence fuelled a'selloff' in sectors from software to insurance and trucking companies. On Friday, the S&P 500 index for software and services closed at 0.9% while the S&P 500 technology sector dropped 0.5%. Friday's inflation data encouraged investor hopes for Fed rate cuts after Wednesday's stronger-than-expected January jobs data sowed doubts. Phil Orlando, the chief market strategist of Federated Hermes, predicted that trading would be more volatile in the coming months. This was in light of AI concerns, looming mid-term elections for the United States in November, and Kevin Warsh, who is expected to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell in May. Orlando said that the inflation data was better than anticipated and the trend continues to be lower. He said that historically, when a Fed leader transition occurs in a midterm year, it has caused the market to hit "double-digit" air pockets. Megacap tech'stocks' were weak, with Applied Materials and Apple Inc. providing a big boost. The S&P 500 index's 11 major industries were led by the defensive utilities and real estate sectors. The healthcare sector also saw a rise in shares of Dexcom, Moderna and other companies after they reported their fourth quarter earnings. Shares of Applied Materials surged after the company forecast revenue and profits for its second quarter that exceeded Wall Street's expectations. Arista Networks, a provider of networking equipment, also gained in the session as it forecasted annual revenues that were above expectations. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro'said that there was no basis for reports that the 'administration planned to reduce steel and aluminium tariffs. Steel Dynamics and Nucor were among the steelmakers that came under pressure. Alcoa shares fell, as did Century Aluminum. Reporting by Sinead carew in New York; Johann Cherian, Twesha dikshit and Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru, and editing by Shilpa Majumdar and Pooja desai.
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Oil prices rise slightly as US inflation data and optimism about OPEC's supply outweigh OPEC's concerns
The oil prices have risen marginally on 'Friday, after data revealed a slowdown in U.S. inflation. This has helped to offset concerns about supply as OPEC+ is 'leaning toward a resumption of production increases. Brent crude futures settled 23 cents or 0.3% higher at $67.75 per barrel while U.S. West Texas intermediate crude settled 5 cents or 0.08% more at $62.89 Both benchmarks have posted weekly losses after suffering near 3% drops on Thursday. Brent fell by about 0.5% and WTI dropped by 1% during the week. U.S. consumer price increases were lower than expected in January, thanks to cheaper gasoline and a moderated?increase in rental inflation. Looks like inflation has stabilized. It's a good thing that interest rates will continue to fall. Dennis Kissler is the senior vice president for trading at BOK Financial. He said that as interest rates begin to fall, it will be a positive for the economy. He added that "the negative will be if OPEC increases production a bit more." Investors reacted negatively to a report that OPEC was leaning toward a resumption of oil production increases in April. This is due to the upcoming peak'summer fuel demand and firmer crude price owing to tensions between U.S. and Iran relations. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs in the U.S. fell from 409 to 399 this week. Prices of oil had risen earlier in the week due to fears that the U.S. might attack Middle Eastern oil producer Iran because of its nuclear program. Prices fell on Thursday after U.S. president Donald Trump said that Washington might reach a deal with Iran in the next month. U.S. officials announced on Friday that the Pentagon is sending a plane?carrier to the Middle East from the Caribbean. This would mean two aircraft carriers in the area as tensions between Iran and the United States rise. Russia said that the next round in peace talks over Ukraine would take place next Monday. Kissler added that negotiations with Iran and Russia will be near-term market movers. He also said that global crude supplies are ample in the short-term and crude futures have likely been baked in a geopolitical premium of $5 to $7 per barrel. On Friday, the U.S. eased sanctions against?Venezuela’s energy sector by issuing two licenses that will allow global energy firms to operate oil & gas projects in OPEC member Venezuela and other companies to negotiate new contracts for fresh investment. Chris Wright, the U.S. Secretary for Energy, told NBC News that oil sales from Venezuela controlled the U.S. totaled over $1 'billion and will reach $5 'billion in the next few months. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported on Friday that money managers increased their net long U.S. Crude futures and option positions during the week ending February 10. Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar and Robert Harvey. Editing by Susan Fenton and Kirby Donovan.
Norsk Hydro flags downstream weakness, shares fall
Norsk Hydro, an aluminium producer, highlighted the continued weakness in downstream markets when it announced fourth-quarter core earnings that exceeded market expectations. This sent its shares down by 6% on Friday.
Hydro?faces a changing outlook?as EU prepares?carbon?costs for aluminium imports. This could favor its lower-emissions metal, even though rising global supply, and falling production cost, point to a more balanced market.
In the period October-December, adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization came to 5.59 billion Norwegian crowns (585.23 millions)?down from 7.7 a year ago.
According to a consensus compiled by the company, analysts had on average expected to see a core profit of 5.2 billion crowns.
WHITENING DOWNSTREAM TRENDS
JPMorgan analysts and RBC analysts stated that the stronger 'upstream performance' and cash generation in the company’s first quarter guidance were partially offset by weaker?downstream trends. This suggests limited scope for a broad?earnings upgrade near term.
The main reason for the improvement in its results was a higher metal price and stable upstream production, despite a stronger Norwegian currency.
Performance weakened further downstream. Extrusion lost money due to lower margins and volume, and metal markets were also negatively impacted by low trading activity and inventory effect.
Alumina prices were 55% lower in the first quarter of this year than they were a year ago, as increased supplies from China drove prices closer to their production costs.
CEO Eivind 'Kallevik said that Hydro had booked 42% of the first-quarter volumes of primary aluminium at a premium of $478 per ton. The overall quarterly average is expected to be between $380 and $430.
Kallevik stated that U.S. Midwest Premiums -- an important component of aluminum pricing -- would decline if import tariffs are?reduced.
The company sold its first volumes of low-carbon aluminum in the United States. The premiums are comparable to those in Europe, which shows that consumers are willing to pay a little more for cleaner metal.
In an analyst call, Kallevik stated that extrusion orders are usually short-term. Demand is dependent on the broader economy, and it's "too soon to draw conclusions" about recovery in second half. $1 = 9.5518 Norwegian crowns (Reporting and editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak, Matt Scuffham).
(source: Reuters)