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Gold set for a fourth-week loss due to Fed's hawkish bets
Gold fell on Friday for a fourth consecutive week, due to the resilient dollar and expectations that U.S. interest rates will be raised faster in order to curb inflation. By 0441 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.6% to $4.002.77 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 0.7% to $4017.30. Bullion is on course for a 3.8% loss this week after slipping below $4,000 on Wednesday, the lowest level since November 2025. The rapid repricing by the hawkish Fed created a strong bullish movement in the U.S. Dollar, which led to the significant decline in gold prices, said Kelvin Wong. The U.S. Dollar Index?held close to its strongest level since May 2025?and was heading for a second consecutive weekly gain. This made gold more expensive for those who hold other currencies. Wong believes that the gold price has been in a multi-month decline since late January's record high. He sees this correction continuing in the future towards $3,400. Gold prices fell by about 29% compared to the record high of $5,594.82 set on January 29 as inflation fueled by the U.S. - Iran war pushed up rate-hike betting. According to economists polled by the. Gold is often viewed as an inflation hedge, but it can lose its appeal in high interest rate environments. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders expect three Fed rate increases this year. They are pricing in a 64% probability of an increase in September. Silver spot fell 2.6% per ounce to $56.39, platinum dropped 2% to 1,568.55, while palladium lost 0.6% to 1,177.12. All metals were heading for a loss. (Reporting from Bengaluru by Pablo Sinha; Additional reporting by Swati verma; Editing and proofreading by Subhranshu Sahu).
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Soccer-Turkey defeated US 3-2 in LA with a last-gasp goal
Turkey defeated a second-string United States team 3-2 on Thursday with a "last-gasp" goal by Kaan Ayhan. This was their first win of the tournament, as the co-hosts had already won Group D and qualified for the knockout round. Auston Trusty, who scored in the third-minute, delighted a sold out crowd at Los Angeles Stadium. Sebastian Berhalter's long-range shot, shortly after the halftime break, brought the U.S. to parity. Ayhan, the substitute, had the final laugh as he found an empty goal at the far-post to win the match. The U.S. will now focus on Wednesday's meeting in Santa Clara with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the round 32. Turkey returns home at least having salvaged some pride. SUBSTITUTE PULISIC GETS AN OVATION The atmosphere was loud, even though there wasn't anything at stake. U.S. supporters were elated by their team’s strong run. Christian Pulisic, the forward who was taken off the field at halftime of the first match against Paraguay due to a calf problem, received one of the loudest applauses in the 58th-minute. Pulisic was sharp and displayed a lot of spirit. He exchanged words with several Turkish players following a late challenge in the second half. Reporters were told by U.S. attacking?Brenden?Aaronson that "just having him in the game makes such a big difference." "A lot attention is paid to him, so that other players have opportunities and moments." Near the end of the match, the U.S. was concerned when Trusty?was carried away on a stretcher with a hamstring injury. Turkey, which?made seven?changes to?their?lineup, leave the tournament with some consolations after responding to an early deficit and finding multiple gaps in the U.S. defense. Ayhan, a late substitute, scored the final goal of the evening with his last kick. It was a stunning finish to an attacking match. Coach Vincenzo 'Montella, Turkey, said: "I am super happy with the way they played tonight. They showed all their skills, abilities and character." If they hadn't been strong, they wouldn't?have made it tonight. "We can go home with our chins up." Leonardo DiCaprio was in attendance, as were Paris Hilton, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell. (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferris, Peter Rutherford and Rory Carroll)
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Bankers claim Vedanta has accepted bids of $1.75 billion to settle a three-tranche debt.
Three merchant bankers reported on Friday that a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Resources had accepted bids totaling $1.75 billion for a three tranche issuance of dollars bonds. The company is seeking to refinance high yielding debt. Vedanta Resource Finance II raised $500m through bonds with a coupon rate of 7.00%. It also raised $700m through bonds with a coupon rate of 7.3750%. And $550?million via bonds for 11 years at a discount of 7.75%. They added that the pricing was 25 basis point below their initial guidance of 7.25% 7.6250% and 8.0%. The bankers asked for anonymity because they are not authorized to speak with the media. Meanwhile, the company didn't respond to an email asking for comment. The bonds are guaranteed by Vedanta Holdings II, Vedanta Holdings Mauritius and Twin Star Holdings. The notes are expected to have a rating of Ba3/BB+/BB in accordance with the issuer. The proceeds will primarily be used to refinance debt with higher yields worth more than $2 billion. The company aims to purchase back $550,000,000 of outstanding 9.475% 2030 bonds, $500,000,000 of outstanding?11.25% paper in 2031, $500,000,000 of outstanding 9.125% '2032 bonds, and $550,000,000 of outstanding 9.85% 2033 notes. The unit sold seven-year bonds in October at a coupon of 9.1250%. This is one of the documents that it plans to repurchase. (Reporting and editing by Sonia Cheema. Dharamraj Dhutia.
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Turkey wins 3-2 in LA with a last-gasp goal
Turkey's first victory of the tournament came on Thursday when?Kaan yhan? scored a 3-2 win over a United States side that was second string at the?Los Angeles Stadium. The co-hosts had already won their group and qualified for the knockout rounds. Auston Trusty scored in the third-minute to the delight of a sold out crowd. Sebastian Berhalter's long-range shot, shortly after the halftime break, brought the U.S. level. Ayhan, the substitute, had the last laugh when he found the empty net at far post to score the winning goal. The U.S.?now turns their attention to Wednesday's knockout round match with?Bosnia and Herzegovina at?Santa Clara while?Turkey returns home, having at least salvaged a little pride. (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferris, Rory Carroll)
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MORNING BID EUROPE - Chipflation
Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets Apple revealed that a bill must be paid by someone, just as investors were settling in to the idea that AI was still on the rise. Apple has said that it cannot absorb the rising memory and storage costs due to the AI data center boom. Micron's astronomical results this week highlighted the shift. Customers locked in $22 billion worth of Micron memory chips as a sign that markets are tightening and pricing power is increasing. What does it say when Apple, with its supply chain relationships envied by the entire industry, isn't immune to the memory price spike? What's next? Xbox to increase prices? Oh. Asian markets fell on Friday, as news that OpenAI may delay its public debut to next year also soured sentiment. South Korea's KOSPI - a bellwether for the AI industry - fell 8% in one day and 9% over the course of a week, its steepest fall since early March, when the Iran War first broke out. The oil market is still a major player, but it has slowed down. Oil tankers continue to leave the Strait of Hormuz despite a cargo ship being hit near Oman. Brent and WTI crude oil have lost almost all of the gains made by the hostilities that erupted in late February in the Middle East. But a gradual normalisation and a return to demand could tighten the markets next year. This easing was a relief but not enough. In May, U.S. inflation surpassed 4% for the first time in 3 years. This kept an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve on the table. The U.S. Dollar is now in a strong position, while the Japanese yen struggles to reach a low of 40 years, amid growing intervention fears. The dollar index will rise by?2.6% this month. This is its biggest monthly gain in over a year. We'll end our report with the early summer heatwave which has ravaged?Western Europe. This predicament is leading to a boom in air conditioner sales from Asian manufacturers. Health risks of extreme heat are explained as temperatures in Britain, Switzerland and other countries reach record highs. The following are the key developments that may influence Friday's markets: Economic events: French unemployment in May (by Ankur Banerjee Editing done by Shri Navaranam)
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Oil prices down 2% despite resumption in Hormuz shippings, even after vessel hits near Oman
Crude prices fell?2% Friday, and are headed for steep weekly losses amid eased supply concerns. More oil tankers have left the Strait of Hormuz as more stranded vessels leave. Brent crude futures dropped $1.47 or 1.95% to $73.79 per barrel at 0421 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was down $1.44 or 2% to $70.48 per barrel. Shipping data from LSEG revealed that Saudi Aramco, the world's largest refiner, resumed oil loading at its Ras-Tanura terminal in?Gulf on Friday after a nearly four-month halt. The data revealed that two Very Large Crude Carrier were loading crude at the terminal, while another was waiting nearby. Each VLCC can load 2 million barrels. According to June Goh of Sparta Commodities, senior oil analyst, "there is a general selling off as the market reacts?to the increased flows leaving the Strait of Hormuz. China has not yet picked up on crude demand." Both benchmark contracts rose more than 2% Thursday, after an unidentified projectile hit a cargo ship near Oman. This prompted the U.N. shipping agency to suspend their voluntary evacuation scheme. Two U.S. officials said that Iran shot at the cargo ship when it tried to pass through strait. Iranian authorities have said that the safety of vessels traveling outside of designated Hormuz routes cannot be guaranteed. Brent crude and WTI oil are both expected to lose around 8% in the coming week. The data showed that the crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest level this week since the U.S./Israeli conflict began with Iran in February. A ceasefire agreement reopened the waterway and concerns over how long it would remain open also increased?trade. Overall, however, the traffic is still a fraction of what it was before the conflict began on February 28, when 125 ships passed through the strait every day. "A large part of the increase is due to previously stranded ships leaving the Persian Gulf. The vessel flows into the Gulf are much lower. This suggests that after stranded ships have been removed, we may see a reduction in the flow of vessels," ING analysts wrote a note. The earthquakes that occurred in Venezuela on Thursday have also caused supply concerns. Workers have conducted preliminary assessments of Venezuela's oil, gas, and refining infrastructure. They found that the damage was limited, since the country's largest output regions, refineries and pipelines, and terminals were 'far away' from the worst-hit areas. Sources said that despite the lack of electricity, it is doubtful whether oil production can be maintained at its pre-quake level, which was close to 1.2m barrels a day. Reporting by Mohi Nairayan in New Delhi; Sam Li and Lewis Jackson, in Beijing; editing by Kevin Buckland
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The dollar's strength and macro-economic headwinds are expected to cause a weekly decline in copper.
The copper price is expected to fall by at least 1% on Friday due to a stronger dollar and continuing macroeconomic concerns. However, dip buying has limited the loss. Benchmark three-month?copper on the London Metal Exchange fell by?1% at $13,137 per metric ton?by 3:00 GMT. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract remained largely unchanged, with a 0.1% increase at 101,360 Yuan ($14900.84) per ton. The copper price was expected to drop by over 3% in both markets at the end of this week. The U.S. dollar gained 0.09%, partially reversing Thursday's ?decline and making greenback-denominated commodities more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Other economic headwinds from the Middle East war helped push the key U.S. Inflation indicator to its highest level in three year in May. Industrial minerals that are dependent on growth have been impacted by inflation and expectations of higher interest rates. In a note, Chinese broker, Jinrui Futures (a subsidiary of Jiangxi Copper), wrote that lower?Shanghai Copper prices had brought back some buying interest to the market on Thursday. China's Yangshan Copper Premium The, which measures the buying appetite of the largest consumer in the world, reached its highest level in three weeks. Copper stocks on LME Stocks on the CME continued to decline. increased. Material has been withdrawn from U.S. storage facilities ahead of President Trump's recommendation next week to introduce tariffs on imports of copper. Aluminum largely brushed aside jitters following this week's tentative Middle East Peace after a cargo ship said it was?hit by a projectile on the Strait of Hormuz. It fell 0.32% on the LME and 0.59% on the SHFE. The LME has seen the price of the light metal?fall 6% since the beginning of the week, as the Middle East premium declined. Zinc fell by 1.31% among?other LME Metals. Lead lost 0.44%. Nickel dropped by 1.27%. Tin decreased by 2.52%. Nickel fell 1.91%, tin dropped 2.02%, and zinc was down 1.17% on SHFE. Lead also remained unchanged, only up 0.03%.
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Iron ore to suffer seventh-week loss due to soaring inventory and falling steel demand
Iron ore fell on Friday, and was headed for a seventh consecutive weekly loss. This was due to a swollen portside inventory, faltering steel demand in China's top consumer, as well as falling global freight rates. The most traded iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange has fallen 1.5%, to 733.5 Yuan ($107.83), a metric tonne, and is down 1.7% for the week. The benchmark July Iron Ore at the?Singapore Exchange is 0.5% lower, $96.95 per ton. This represents a 2.3% drop so far this week. Stocks of iron ore piled up in ports across China due to a rise in supply by major suppliers. Prices of this key steel-making ingredient are under pressure. According to Mysteel, the Chinese portside iron ore inventory rose 1.3% from the previous week. China's steel demand was also affected by the high temperatures in summer, which hampered outdoor activities in certain regions. Also, trade barriers around the world are increasing and limiting exports. Analysts at Everbright Futures wrote in a report that "the rapid decline in downstream steel consumption" will determine ore prices in the medium-term. The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to end their more than three-month-long?war, which has removed a layer of support for iron ore. Coke and other steelmaking materials, such as coking coal, fell by 0.88% and 1.13 %, respectively. The Shanghai Futures Exchange steel benchmarks have mostly fallen. Hot-rolled coils fell 0.51% and wire rod dropped 0.15%.
What is the risk of nuclear contamination from Israel's attack on Iran?
Israel claims it wants to prevent a nuclear catastrophe in the region, which is home to millions of people as well as producing much of the oil in the world. Israel's military announced that it had hit a Bushehr site on the Gulf Coast, home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant. But later said the announcement was an error.
Here are some details about the damage that Israel has caused and what experts have to say about the dangers of contamination and other disasters.
What has Israel done so far? Israel has declared attacks on nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Arak, as well as Tehran. Israel claims it wants to prevent Iran from building an atom-bomb. Iran has denied ever wanting one. IAEA, the international nuclear watchdog, has reported damage at the Natanz uranium plant, the Isfahan nuclear complex, including the Uranium Conversion Facility and the centrifuge production plants in Karaj, Tehran and Karaj. Israel announced on Wednesday that it had targeted Arak (also known as Khondab), the location of a heavy-water research nuclear reactor. This type of reactor can produce plutonium easily, which can be used, like enriched Uranium, to make an atom bomb's core.
The IAEA reported that they had received information that Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor had been struck, but it was not operating and had no reported radiological effects.
WHAT RISKS DO STRIKES LIKE THIS PRESENT?
Peter Bryant, professor of radiation protection science at the University of Liverpool, England, who specializes in nuclear energy policy and radiation protection, has said that he's not concerned with the fallout risk from the strikes.
He pointed out that the Arak facility was not in operation while the Natanz site was underground. No radiation leakage was reported. He said that the issue was controlling what happened in that facility. Nuclear facilities were designed to do that. He said that uranium is only dangerous when it's inhaled, ingested, or gets into your body.
Darya Dolzikova is a senior researcher at London's think tank RUSI. She said that attacks on the facilities at the front of the nuclear fuel chain - where uranium gets prepared to be used in a reactor -- pose chemical risks, and not radiological ones.
UF6, or uranium hexafluoride is the main concern at enrichment plants. She said that when UF6 reacts with the water vapour in air, it creates harmful chemicals.
She added that the weather conditions would affect how much material was dispersed. In low wind, material is likely to settle near the facility. In high winds, material will travel further, but also disperse widely.
Underground facilities have a lower risk of dispersion.
What about nuclear reactants?
A strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor would be of major concern.
Richard Wakeford is Honorary Professor of Epidemiology, University of Manchester. He said that whereas contamination from attacks on the enrichment facilities will be "primarily a chemical issue" for the nearby areas, extensive damage of large power reactors would "be a different tale".
He added that radioactive elements could be released into the ocean or through a plume containing volatile materials.
James Acton, director of the Nuclear Policy Program for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that an attack on Bushehr could "cause an absolute radiological disaster", but that an attack on enrichment plants was "unlikely" to have significant off-site effects.
He said that uranium is barely radioactive before it enters a nuclear reactor. "The chemical form of uranium is toxic, but it doesn't travel long distances. It's also barely radioactive." "Israel's attacks so far have had virtually no radiological effects," he said, despite his opposition to Israel.
Why are Gulf States particularly concerned?
The Gulf States' impact on any attack on Bushehr will be exacerbated by the possible contamination of Gulf water, putting at risk a vital source of desalinated drinking water.
According to the authorities, in the UAE, more than 80% drinking water is desalinated, and Bahrain has become fully dependent on desalinated waters since 2016. 100% of the groundwater was reserved for contingency planning.
Qatar is completely dependent on desalinated drinking water.
According to the General Authority for Statistics, in Saudi Arabia, which is a larger country with more natural groundwater reserves, 50% of water supplies will be desalinated by 2023.
Some Gulf States, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, have access to multiple seas to draw their water, but countries like Qatar and Bahrain are congested along the Gulf shoreline with no other coastline.
If a natural catastrophe, an oil spill or even a targeted assault were to disrupt a water desalination facility, hundreds of thousands would lose their access to freshwater instantly, said Nidal Ilal, Professor and Director of the Water Research Center at New York University Abu Dhabi.
He said that coastal desalination plants were particularly vulnerable to regional hazards such as oil spills and nuclear contamination.
(source: Reuters)