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After talks with regional leaders, the PM said that Iran allowed Malaysian vessels to cross in Strait.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday that he had met with the leaders of Egypt, Iran, Turkey and other countries in the region. He said Malaysian ships were now allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Anwar thanked the Iranian president in a televised speech for allowing passage of 'Malaysian vessels. He said, "We're now working on releasing the Malaysian oil tanks and their workers so they can continue home." Anwar stated that he spoke with Iran and other countries in order to facilitate peace in the Middle East. He said: "But it's not easy. Iran feels deceived and finds it hard to accept peace steps without a clear, binding security guarantee for its nation." Malaysia will maintain its oil subsidies, but is taking steps to reduce the impact of supply disruptions. He said: "We are compelled now to manage?the?situation because of the effects of the?blockade in the Strait of?Hormuz; the war and the?halted?supply of?oil?and gas," he added. (Reporting and writing by Ashley Tang, Editing by Martin Petty).
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Aluminium gains, copper falls as Iran rejects talks to end the conflict
Aluminium rose to its highest level in nearly a week after Iran denied talks to 'end the Middle East conflict. The benchmark three-month price of copper at the London Metal Exchange fell as much as 1.7% in the previous session. The metal, widely used in construction and power, closed up 1.8% Wednesday, thanks to dip-buying by Chinese consumers who were looking to replenish their stock. Copper, which is considered to be a bellwether of global economic health, has been under pressure because there are fears that the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran will hurt the growth. Copper?stocks are also available in LME-approved warehouses The remaining stocks are at an eight-year high, with 360,000 tonnes. They have increased by around 150% from the beginning of the year. John Meyer, SP?Angel's analyst, said: "I believe copper was under pressure even before the conflict began. This is because there was a build-up of copper in the warehouses." Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said Iran is desperate to reach a deal that will end four weeks of fighting. This contradicted the Iranian foreign ministry, who stated his country would only'review' a U.S. offer but had no intention to hold talks. Aluminum meanwhile rose by 1.5%, to $3,290.50 per ton. It reached its highest level since March 20, on fears that Middle East smelters, who account for 9% of the global supply, would not be able to deliver metal to world markets or bring in raw materials. Zinc rose 1.1% to $3.112, lead fell 0.9% to $1.894, nickel dropped 0.6% to $17.235, and tin fell 0.7% to $44,195. (Reporting and editing by Sonia Cheema, Rashmi aich and Sonia Cheema; Additional reporting by Amy Lv; Keith Weir Editing)
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WTO chief says world order irreversibly changed
The head of the World Trade Organization stated 'on Thursday that the multilateral system had fundamentally changed 'and that countries should look towards the future in order to reform the global trading system. We will not get it back...We must look?to the future", WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told delegates at the opening?of the 14th WTO ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon. We won't get it back...We have to look forward," WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said at the opening of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaounde. Okonjo Iweala stated that 72% of the global trade still takes place under WTO regulations, and the 'growth in AI related trade' is a positive sign. However, she said there are significant uncertainties regarding the trading system due to the Middle East conflict, as well as the impact of U.S. Tariffs on other countries. Okonjo Iweala presented a list of WTO problems, such as the paralysis in the WTO dispute resolution body and the lack of transparency when notifying the use or subsidies. Okonjo Iweala stated that only?64? members had submitted subsidy notifications to the WTO by 2025. This means 102? had not, she said. She told delegates that "lack of transparency leads to a lack of trust and this breeds suspicions about unfairness and anticompetitive behavior." Okonjo Iweala said that this?contributed a "vicious circle" of?mistrust, which was holding members back from agreeing on new rules and reforms. (Reporting and editing by Madeline Chambers.)
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Oil prices rise above $105 as Iran crisis causes stock and bond declines
Oil jumped up to $105 per barrel on Thursday, and Iran's denial that it had ever held any kind of talks with the U.S. has raised doubts about a rapid ceasefire for the Middle East war which is now nearly a month old. The conflicting signals about the extent of 'contact', as well as reports that thousands of U.S. soldiers were being sent to?the?region, halted a three day rebound in world stock markets and reignited sales in global debt market. Following the fall in Asia – where the Philippines held a central bank meeting that was not scheduled due to the chaos – European stocks and government bonds fell as Germany's head of the central bank said an ECB interest rate hike next week is "an option". Brent crude oil was just above $106 per barrel, and European gas was 54.5 euros a megawatt-hour. This brought their gains for the entire month up to 45% and 70 %, respectively. Joachim Nagel, the German central bank's chief, said in an interview that he believes there will be enough data to decide by April whether or not we should take action. But we shouldn't be afraid to do it just because it is still early. Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran "begged" for a deal in order to end the conflict. Iran's Abbas Araqchi, the country's foreign minister, had said earlier that Tehran was examining a U.S. offer but did not intend to hold talks. The 'war', which was triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran late in February, has shook global markets, and shut down the Strait of Hormuz - a channel for a fifth of all global oil and gas flows. After falling by 4 basis points on Wednesday, the yield of Germany's 2-year bonds, which is sensitive to expectations about interest rates from the European Central Bank, increased 6 basis to 2.67 percent. Bond yields are inversely related to bond prices. As traders bet on a Bank of Japan rate increase as soon as next month, the U.S. 2-year yield reached 4%. Japan's two-year yield hit its highest in 30 years, at 1.33%. Pascal Koeppel is the chief investment officer of Vontobel SFA. He said that a prolonged disruption in this Strait would keep energy and inflation prices high, forcing central bankers to tighten. Koeppel said, "I would be more nervous if we saw ground troops (from the U.S.) in action." If this happened, "we'd trim the risk... and invest more in short-term government bond and gold, obviously". STRUCTURAL CHANGES Wall Street futures predicted a lower opening, and Asian markets dropped overnight. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.3% while worries about rising energy prices slammed South Korea's KOSPI. It dropped 3.2%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.9%, and China's blue-chips fell?1.3%. This puts MSCI's Asia-Pacific index outside Japan at a monthly drop of 9.5%, the largest since October 2022. The dollar is gaining 2% this month and has been near its recent highs. This will revive the safe-haven appeal of the currency after last year's more 9% decline. Traders have priced out all chances of a Federal Reserve rate reduction this year due to fears that inflation will be similar to the one experienced in 2022. This has further supported the dollar. Gold, a traditional safe-haven, has fallen more than 16 percent this month, on track to be its steepest drop since October 2008. Gold was down 2% on Thursday at $4,421 an ounce, but still almost 50% higher than it was a year earlier. It will be difficult to reconcile the goals of the U.S., Israel, and Tehran, said Matthias Scheiber. He is the senior portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments and head of their multi-assets team. "We think that there are still arguments to be made for higher energy prices at the moment."
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Realistic check on MORNING BID AMERICAS
By Mike Dolan 26 March - What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets Energy or financial markets can take little comfort from the current situation despite all the rhetoric on both sides. The?U.S. Iran claims that no talks will take place and it is only reviewing the U.S. proposal. The fighting continues, and the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Meanwhile, oil prices are rising and analysts have upgraded their estimates for the full year crude price. Below, I will go into more detail. Check out my most recent column about the worrying signs on U.S. Treasury Markets and why they are important for broader markets. Watch the Morning Bid Podcast today. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets seven days a weeks. Reality Check: After falling by around 2% Wednesday, Brent and WTI crude oil futures both ticked up on Thursday as traders digested the latest mixed messages from the U.S. Benchmarks hover around $105 per barrel and $93 for WTI. As hopes of an imminent ceasefire waned, global shares were volatile. In Asia, the Nikkei index in Japan fell 0.7%; Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 1.7%; and South Korea's KOSPI Index was down 2.7%. Europe's STOXX600 fell Thursday morning. U.S. stocks futures also declined before the bell. Gold also fell, failing to record any safety bids and instead shedding some recent gains. The Treasury market was on edge following another round of bad debt auctions, and the mounting inflation risks in the longer term. Wednesday's data showed that import prices had risen much more than expected before war. Meanwhile, President Trump announced that he has rescheduled the highly anticipated trip to China. It will now take place in mid-May. Alphabet lost in a U.S. lawsuit over whether their social media platforms are harmful to children. Arm Holdings' stock rose over 16% Wednesday, after the company predicted that its in-house data center chip would generate $15 billion in revenue annually in five years. Arm's new chip is designed to power "agenttic" AI. It marks a change for the company, which had previously licensed its chip designs to companies such as Nvidia. Chart of the Day Even before the oil shock this month, U.S. inflation rates had already risen sharply, reaching?1.3%, far above expectations, in February. The jump in the monthly price, excluding tariffs, is the largest since four years. The increase was driven by the prices of food, energy and consumer goods. Prices of imported capital goods have risen to their highest level ever, largely due to the AI infrastructure boom. The core annual rate of inflation for import prices rose to 3.0% in part due to the dollar's weakness. Watch today's events * Weekly U.S. jobless claims (8.30 AM EDT). * U.S. 7-year note auction (1:00 ?PM EDT) Stephen Miran of the Feds, Lisa Cook and Michael Barr, as well as Philip Jefferson, all speak Want to receive Morning 'Bids in your email every morning? Subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and ROI. The opinions expressed here are the author's. These opinions do not represent the views of News. News is committed to the Trust Principles and to maintaining integrity, independence and neutrality.
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Nikkei reports that Rohm Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric will begin talks to integrate power chips.
The Nikkei reported on Thursday that Japan's Rohm Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric will begin talks to integrate their respective power semiconductor businesses in order to 'form the second-largest 'power chip group' after Germany's Infineon. Talks could complicate Denso’s bid to buy rival Rohm after Toyota Motor Group supplier approached the chipmaker earlier this month about a possible acquisition. Nikkei reports that the three chipmakers could announce the start of the talks on Friday. They also stated they were aiming to increase cost competitiveness by integrating. Rohm did not respond immediately to a comment request from Toshiba. Mitsubishi Electric stated in a filing that, "while it is true that the company was evaluating various 'options to improve the competitiveness of its power chip business. No new decisions have been made." Japan's strength is in power semiconductors. These are used in automobiles, electronic devices, and industrial equipment to control the electric power efficiently. Automakers are looking for stable semiconductor supplies after shortages that arose following the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'global AI boom' that has fueled investment in data centers around the world is also boosting chip demand. Kyoto-based Rohm announced last week that it had "established a committee consisting of external directors and others" to review Denso’s proposal as well as its own strategy and options for boosting its corporate value. Denso and the 'chipmaker' agreed in May to create a strategic partnership in semiconductors, with an emphasis on integrated circuits for electric vehicles.
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ADNOC, OMV name new leaders for Borouge Group International
ADNOC, the state oil company of Abu Dhabi and OMV from Austria announced a merger that would create a new global polyolefins firm. BGI will be formed by combining ADNOC and OMV’s shares in Borouge and Borealis and acquiring NOVA Chemicals. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of March 2026. ADNOC, OMV and Kearns have said in a joint statement that Kearns has more than 40 years' experience in the chemical sector. Al Jaber is ADNOC’s managing director, group CEO, and executive chairman. He also chairs XRG (ADNOC’s international investment arm). He is also minister of advanced technology for the United Arab Emirates and president of COP28, the climate summit that his country hosted. BGI's executive leadership team is made up of members from both companies. Stefan Doboczky, Borealis' CEO, will become chief commercial officer at BGI. Hasan Karam will continue to serve as Borouge Plc's chief operating officer. Daniel Turnheim, CFO of Borealis, has been appointed 'interim chief finance officer' until a permanent successor is named by May 2026. BGI will be owned by OMV and XRG in equal shares. BGI will own approximately 90% of Borouge. Borouge will continue to be listed?on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange until a proposed tender offer converts the shares into Borouge International shares. The current CEO Hazeem Al Suwaidi will remain in his position during the transition. Louise Heavens (Reporting and Editing)
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Indian private refiner Nayara raises gasoline, gasoil prices
Petrol pump dealers reported that Nayara Energy, a private Indian refiner with Russian backing, has raised the price of gasoline and 'gasoil to offset some of its revenue losses from retail sales. Indian refiners are suffering revenue losses as retail sales for gasoline crack. Gasoil prices have soared to record highs. The dealers reported that Nayara, India’s largest private fuel retailer, raised the price of gasoline by 5 rupees a litre, to 100.71 rupees. Gasoil was also increased by 3 rupees a litre, to 91.31. Nayara plans to close its Vadinar refinery, which produces 400,000 barrels of gasoline per day, from April 10 onwards for a maintenance period lasting a month. The private refiner, in addition to selling fuel directly to customers, also sells fuels at state refineries after being sanctioned last year by the European Union for its links with Russian entities including Rosneft, the oil giant. Nayara has not yet commented. Industry sources claim that Indian refiners face a revenue loss on gasoline of more than 20 rupees and gasoil of over 50 rupees for selling fuels below market rates to cushion their customers from an increase in global markets. The Indian state refiners did not raise the retail price of gasoline or gasoil, despite the?surge of global oil prices that reached more than $100 a barrel as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupted the supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Around 90% of the country's 101470 retail fuel stations are connected to state refiners, retailers and Indian Oil Corp. Bharat Petroleum Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. $1 = 94.1040 Indian Rupees (Reporting and editing by Arun K. Koyyur).
Sources say that the Thyssenkrupp and Jindal Steel sale talks have failed due to pension and energy costs.
Four people with knowledge of the matter have said that discussions of a possible Thyssenkrupp steel unit sale to Jindal Steel International may be called off because of differences regarding pension liabilities, investments, and 'energy costs.
Despite the fact that talks are still ongoing over a possible sale of?Thyssenkrupp Europe (TKSE), and an agreement could still be reached, a deal now seems less likely to happen after almost six months' worth of due diligence and discussion, according to these people.
One person said that the companies could decide to stop official negotiations as early as next month.
Following the report, shares of Thyssenkrupp dropped 4%.
Thyssenkrupp tried to sell TKSE a number of times over the last few decades. They have pursued everything from spinoffs, joint ventures and outright sales - to listing the cyclical business.
The stalled TKSE sale threatens THYSSENKRUPP's divestment strategy
If TKSE is not sold, it would be a blow to Thyssenkrupp's CEO Miguel Lopez?s plan to transform the storied German Engineering Group into a holding. This includes divesting stakes from all its business divisions, ranging anywhere from car parts and clean-tech.
Thyssenkrupp announced on Thursday it would extend production cuts to its Isbergues sites in France. It said that production would be completely shut down from June to September. This will put 1,200 jobs in Germany and France at risk.
The people who spoke to us said that a number of factors were complicating the talks, including 2.4 billion euros ($2.8billion) in pension liabilities linked to TKSE – a hurdle for past sales efforts – as well as different ideas about how much future investment was needed.
The second source stated that Jindal Steel International is also becoming increasingly uneasy over the rising costs of energy in Europe. The energy costs in Europe are already higher than those in the United States or Asia. They have now risen even more as a result the Iran War.
Thyssenkrupp stated that?on Tuesday confidential talks continued with Jindal Steel International, and labour representatives, adding that issues of valuation, obligations, and future investments will?need?to be agreed upon between the parties.
Jindal Steel International (the international steel arm of Naveen Jindal group) had no comment to make.
Earlier in the month,?Lopez stated that the group would continue TKSE's reorganization "with or without Jindal," and Thyssenkrupp’s deputy supervisory -board chairman Juergen Kerner said last week that talks had stalled.
Lopez also stated that planned EU actions to protect the underperforming steel industry of the EU?had increased investor sentiment and strengthened Thyssenkrupp?s position in negotiations.
Jindal Steel International made a?indicative' offer to TKSE in September. This included the completion of a new green steel production facility in Duisburg, and a commitment for more than 2 billion euros ($2.31billion) in order to increase electric arc furnace capacities.
(source: Reuters)