North America

The oil markets shrugged Monday off the threat of U.S. president Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Russian oil buyers as the shock factor of the White House's barrage of threats begins to wear out with jaded traders. Analysts and traders have questioned the seriousness of Trump's proposal. Warren Patterson, ING's director of commodities strategy, said that the U.S. government's announcements on tariffs and other sanctions have a tired feel. He said that the market would not overreact until he could provide more concrete information. The price of oil fell on Monday. Brent crude futures, the most active, were down...

These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Headlines Volvo Cars brings former boss back to provide a'steady' hand Trump threatens to impose secondary tariffs on Russian Oil if there is no agreement on Ukraine Isar declares launch of rocket a success, despite first-time failure to reach orbit Task force urges to eliminate oil and gas windfall taxes before 2030 View the full article Volvo Cars has appointed Hakan Samuelsson as its new chief executive after warning last month of a potentially challenging 2025. Donald Trump,...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that if he felt Moscow was blocking his efforts in ending the war in Ukraine he would impose secondary tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%. These could begin within a month of no ceasefire. NBC reported that Trump told NBC News he felt angry and "pissed" when Russian president Vladimir Putin criticized Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president's leadership. Trump told NBC News on the phone that he plans to meet with Putin this coming week. Trump repeatedly promised to end the "ridiculous war" in Ukraine during his presidential campaign of 2024. He has been...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened Iran on Sunday with bombings and secondary duties if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington regarding its nuclear program. In a phone interview with NBC News Trump stated that U.S. officials and Iranian officials are talking, but did not provide any further details. Trump warned that if they do not make a deal there would be bombing. "But if they do not make a deal I may impose secondary tariffs like I did in 2004." Trump, in his first term 2017-21, rescinded the U.S.'s participation in a 2015 agreement between Iran and...

The Trump administration ordered French companies that have contracts with the U.S. federal government to comply with its executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This highlights the extraterritorial impact of U.S. policy and their possible impact on European corporate practice. Companies have been asked to fill out a form entitled "Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law." The questionnaire has been seen. The move comes amid increasing economic and political tensions in the United States and Europe after Donald Trump's election, which was based on a "America First" platform. The differences in approaches between France and the...

Dominion Energy's CEO Robert Blue lost out on more than $4 Million in cash when the utility failed to achieve its performance targets for shareholder return and operating profits during 2022-2024. Blue disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday that it had received $438.240, or just 9%, of the target payout. The company said the target payout was nearly $5 million. The company didn't respond to a request for comment. Dominion's shareholder return was the second lowest of all peers during this 3-year period. This resulted in no payout for that goal. The 50%...

Bob Pease was the independent director of Phillips 66. He defended its performance and criticized Elliott Investment Management, on Friday. The boardroom battle between Phillips 66 and Elliott Investment Management intensified. Elliott, who disclosed earlier this year a stake in Phillips 66 of over $2.5 billion, has been pressing for operational changes at the energy firm and a board revamp. Pease, who was appointed to the board of the refiner in February 2024 following an agreement reached with the activist investor, is actually a director. Pease wrote to his shareholders that Elliott was "a highly distracted shareholder". Elliott's inconsistent involvement...

According to financial filings, the activist hedge fund Elliott Management in the United States, which is currently campaigning in its capacity as a BP investor for more changes at BP, has taken a large short position in Shell. Elliott's short positions, designed to earn money in the event that Shell's shares fall, amount to around 0.5% of Shell according to the data published by the Financial Conduct Authority on their website on Thursday. The data shows that this is the largest short position the company has had since 2016. Elliott took a position Tuesday when Shell provided an investor update...

The speaker of Iran's parliament warned that Tehran would attack U.S. bases if Washington followed through with its threat of military consequences if a new deal on nuclear energy is not reached, he said. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said in a statement earlier this month that Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran, Iran's supreme leader, had received a letter from him warning that there are "two ways to handle Iran: either militarily or by making a deal." Mohammad Qalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament, said: "If the Americans attack Iran's sanctity, the whole region will explode like a spark on a ammunition...

Russia accused Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure on Friday, despite a ban on such strikes. It said a major piece of gas pipeline in Sudzha was virtually destroyed. An official from Ukraine said that Russia was responsible for the attack on Sudzha's gas transit point. It was not possible to confirm independently which side was responsible. Separate agreements were announced by the United States and Russia on February 2 to stop their attacks in the Black Sea, and to target each other's energy. These agreements are potential stepping-stones that Washington hopes can lead to a complete ceasefire and to...

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. EXMAR: Exmar reported on Thursday a decline in FY IFRS revenues to $348.9 millions but an increase in IFRS EBITDA at $204.7 million. It will not be proposing a dividend in 2024. FLUXYS: Fluxys announced on Thursday that FY revenues and EBIT had increased to 608.8 millions euros ($657.0) and 133.9million euros, respectively. It proposes to pay a EUR 1.4 dividend per share. HAL TRUST HAL Trust reported that its NAV will increase by 2,20 billion euros in 2024 to...

Canada's Suncor Energy said on Thursday it had identified and isolated the source of a hydrocarbon spill observed during regular monitoring at its 85,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Sarnia, Ontario. Suncor also stated that there were no reported injuries. Suncor did not specify if the spilled crude oil or fuel. The company had earlier said that it was responding in response to an incident near the St. Clair River, noting community members might notice an odor. St. Clair Township, in another community alert reported an oil spill that was being contained by Suncor and Shell booms. The water distribution system of St....

The rand of South Africa strengthened on Monday as the gold price reached a new high and the optimism about a budget agreement between the country's two largest partners grew. At 0728 GMT the rand was trading at 18,2375 per dollar, up 1.1% from its previous close. The rand's value fluctuated last week due to deadlock in budget negotiations, and concerns over U.S. president Donald Trump's proposed tariffs. The gold price reached a record high on Monday, as investors worried about a trade war around the globe and slowed economic growth in the world's largest economy turned to the safe...

These are the most popular stories from the New York Times' business pages. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. If he believes that Moscow is blocking the efforts of President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Ukraine, he will impose secondary duties of 25 to 50 percent on Russian oil buyers. Nearly 40 countries, including China and Russia, have voiced their opposition to the plan of The Metals Company, a Canadian miner, to begin seabed mining on the Pacific Ocean. The company applied for exploration permits and permits to the U.S. Department of...

Gold, the safe-haven asset, hit a new record high Friday. An index of global stocks fell as investors worried about a trade war that could be triggered by Trump's tariff decisions. The latest inflation figures were a source of frustration for U.S. traders, but Trump's 25% auto import tariff and his plans to impose a much wider levies on next week continued to be a cause for concern. All three major Wall Street indexes finished lower, and recorded their third consecutive loss. Communication services, consumer discretionary and technology stocks were the biggest losers. Utilities stocks finished higher. The Dow Jones...

Wall Street stocks finished sharply lower Friday with sales in Amazon, Microsoft, and other technology giants. U.S. statistics stoked concerns of weak economic growth, high inflation, and the Trump administration's escalating tariffs. The U.S. consumer's spending in February was less than expected, while an indicator of prices underlying the data rose at its highest rate in 13 months. A University of Michigan study showed that in March consumers' expectations for 12-month inflation had risen to their highest level in almost 2-1/2 years. They also expect inflation to continue to rise beyond the next 12 months. This data fuelled fears that...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that he and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had a productive phone call on Friday. The two leaders will meet next month after the Canadian election. Trump posted on his Truth Social social media platform that the call was "extremely productive". We agreed on many points and will meet immediately after Canada's next election to discuss elements of Business, Politics and other factors. He added that the work would be great for both Canada and the United States. Carney's office and Carney himself have yet to comment on this call. It comes a day...

South Africa's currency, the rand, fell on Friday as worries lingered about President Donald Trump's tariffs in the United States and an impasse that existed between the two largest parties of the ruling coalition over the state budget. At 1507 GMT the rand was trading at 18.3975 per dollar, which is about 0.8% lower than its previous closing. After Trump's announcement that tariffs would be imposed on auto imports starting at midnight on April 3, the markets waited for more clarity. The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have been fighting for weeks about a proposed VAT...

Canada is planning additional retaliation against the U.S. tariffs on autos and tariffs reciprocated by U.S. trading partner countries scheduled to begin in early April. Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, said that he has not yet decided what he will do. actions Canada might take , however. Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on March 6 on goods that were not compliant with the U.S. Mexico Canada free trade agreement, but delayed a 25% tariff for most Canadian goods by 30 days. He then imposed tariffs Steel and Aluminum Imports will be allowed on March 12. Here are the retaliatory...

Gold prices reached a record high on Friday, as fears over President Donald Trump's new tariff plans fueled fears of a trade war around the world. This prompted a rush to the gold-safe haven. As of 0230 GMT spot gold rose 0.6%, to $3,073.79 per ounce. It had earlier reached a session high of $3.077.44. Bullion has risen 1.7% this week. U.S. Gold Futures rose 0.8% to $3.083.60. Gold is riding high at the moment. "Everything is in favor of gold, including U.S. economic policy, U.S. geopolitics and the slowdown in global growth," said Capital.com financial analyst Kyle Rodda. He...

The Metals Company, a Canadian mining company, announced on Thursday that it had initiated a formal process with the U.S. Department of Commerce for the application of exploration licenses and permit to extract minerals from ocean floors. The company intends to apply for a permit under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1981 (DSHMRA), rather than the International Seabed Authority, stating that the latter has not yet adopted regulations regarding deep seabed exploitation. It added that it had requested a consultation prior to the application with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. TMC's attempt to be the first company...

The Trump administration has invited companies to send an email to the Environmental Protection Agency by March 31 to request presidential exemptions to nine clean-air rules, including limits on mercury for power plants and limits to hazardous air pollutants produced in plastics. This is the latest example of a rarely used measure to ease burdens for businesses. The EPA stated that the exemption offer is aimed at achieving President Donald Trump's aim of reducing red tape in energy production. This comes only days after the agency announced it would rollback more than twenty bedrock regulations and water rules as well...

The announcement by Donald Trump of a 25% auto import tariff sent shockwaves around the globe on Thursday. Global carmakers warned that prices would rise immediately, and dealers expressed concern about job losses in large auto-exporting nations, including many U.S. allies. The new tariffs are expected to lead to a second round of large-scale U.S. duties that will be imposed next week. The auto tariffs could increase the cost of an average vehicle by thousands of dollars in the U.S., and dampen demand further at a moment when the industry is already struggling with the transition to electric vehicles. The...

Washington told the European Union that it shouldn't expect trade negotiations until the United States imposes more tariffs against the bloc in the coming week, EU Diplomats said Thursday. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has already imposed tariffs of 25% on imports such as steel and aluminum, and plans to impose an additional 25% duty for car imports. He also intends to announce reciprocal duties next Wednesday against the countries that he believes are responsible for most the U.S. trade deficit. The European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has met with U.S. counterparts this week in Washington. EU envoys...