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Energy Markets

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Association says South Korean refiners are considering Venezuelan crude imports

An official of the Korea Petroleum Association stated that South Korea's refiners were considering importing Venezuelan crude to diversify their supply sources, as the conflict in the Middle East is disrupting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. GS Caltex is one of the country's largest refiners. In June, it imported 110,000 barrels from Venezuela to?test its quality. The association official confirmed a?local report. Officials said that the refiner would assess whether or not the crude is suitable for their facilities, and evaluate product yields. Officials said that the other 'three refiners - HD Hyundai Oilbank SK Innovation, and 'S-Oil -...

Oil & Gas

UAE's ADNOC expands its energy partnership with South Korea

ADNOC, the state-owned oil company of the UAE, announced on Wednesday that it had entered into a long-term partnership with South Korea for energy security. The agreement aims to increase cooperation in areas such as crude supply and emergency supply coordination. The partnership extends existing agreements. This includes a pledge made by the United Arab Emirates in March that they would supply South Korea up to 24,000,000 barrels of crude oil. It was announced at a visit to South Korea by Sultan al-Jaber. ADNOC Group CEO and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. ADNOC stated that both parties would...

Refined Products

Yonhap reports that the prosecutor has charged South Korea's four oil refining companies with collusion over price.

Yonhap News Agency, citing the prosecution, reported that South Korean prosecutors indicted four oil refiners for alleged collusion over fuel prices, which was estimated to have caused anti-competitive damage worth $17 billion. Yonhap reported that the companies are HD Hyundai Oilbank GS Caltex S-Oil and SK Energy. The 'Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office spokesperson did not reply to my phone call and text message seeking confirmation of the report. A phone call or text message asking for confirmation of the report was not answered. Yonhap reported that the prosecutors alleged pricing managers from HD Hyundai Oilbank, SK Energy and other...

Oil & Gas

Danish brewer Carlsberg files IPO for India unit

The Danish brewer, Carlsberg, has filed a confidential application for an IPO of its Indian operations, the company announced on Thursday. It joins a growing number of multinationals seeking to tap India's booming equity markets. The 'confidential - route allows companies to keep the IPO filings they make with the country’s markets regulator secret until the launch. Two sources familiar with the matter said that Carlsberg India's planned listing would not raise new capital, but it would allow its parent company to sell a portion of its stake. The brewery is a fully owned subsidiary of Carlsberg Group. This move...

Fossil Fuels

Don't confuse turbulence and decline. McGeever: This market is on its feet

The markets are awash with red flags that warn of another turbulent second half in 2026. Don't mistake turbulence for a sign of a correction. Late bull markets are often characterized by wild volatility, eye-watering price fluctuations and a wide range of asset classes and benchmark indices. This is when exuberance becomes irrational, to paraphrase late Federal Reserve chair?Alan Greenspan. These dynamics are playing out in varying degrees on many markets. Silver has fallen 55% since its January peak and Bitcoin's value has dropped by more than half since November. The tech market has been a volatile ride -- the...

Oil & Gas

Mike Dolan: No silver bullet to solve Fed's inflation problem with the Iran peace deal

The Gulf peace may reduce pump prices but it won't solve the Federal Reserve’s biggest problem. That is, a U.S. Economy that was already overheating prior to the Iran War. Oil prices falling to levels seen before the war could spur demand and increase cost of living fears at a crucial time. This sounds like "damned-if-it does, damned-if-it doesn't" dilemma. Normalizing fuel prices may not solve the Fed's dilemma over inflation and interest rates as quickly as President Donald Trump or the Fed would like. The 'inflation debate' before the conflict was ambiguous, as markets sided with the Fed's guidance...

Fossil Fuels

Wall Street Journal, June 25,

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy. Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate oil companies that have not reduced gasoline prices in line with the falling crude cost, accusing them of "gouging". The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for up to 35 billion dollars worth of Thaad interceptors?to replenish U.S. stocks after the 'Iran War. SK Hynix, a memory-chip giant, plans to raise more than $29 billion via a Nasdaq IPO to fund its expansion...

Oil & Gas

SK Hynix to list in the US for $29 billion as AI demand increases

SK Hynix, a South Korean company, said it planned to?raise up to $29.4billion through a U.S. -stock market listing. This would be one of the largest?listings globally. If completed at the top end, the deal would be the second-biggest share sale after a record $85.7 billion initial public offering by SpaceX earlier this month, surpassing Saudi Aramco's $25.6 billion IPO in 2019and Alibaba'ssimilar-sized offering in 2014. The planned listing reflects a strong global appetite for AI linked equities even as volatility rises across U.S. technology and semiconductor markets. This comes after Elon Musk's SpaceX and other record-breaking equity offerings in...

Fossil Fuels

SK Hynix, a South Korean company, will raise up to 29 billion dollars in US listing

SK Hynix, a South Korean company, said it plans to raise as much as 45.45 trillion won ($29.43billion) through a U.S. IPO. The company is aiming to increase its 'investor base' and 'production capacity for artificial intelligence chips. The listing of American depositary receipts, if completed to the top, would be one of the largest ever in history. It is comparable in size with Saudi Aramco’s IPO scheduled for?2019. Investor and analyst reactions to the latest news: CLSA SENIOR ANALYST SANJEEV RANA "If (SK Hynix can) get a valuation multiple that is similar to Micron for example, the local shares...

Oil & Gas

What are India's largest share offerings as Jio Platforms prepares to make a record IPO?

Reliance Jio Platforms, owned by Indian billionaire MukeshAmbani, filed?regulatory documents for an IPO that would raise $3.8 billion. This is the largest-ever stock offer in India. The National Stock Exchange of India is preparing to launch another IPO, which will likely be worth $3.3 billion. The five biggest Indian IPOs so far: HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIANA In October 2024, Hyundai, India's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer and the third-largest carmaker in the world, raised $2.95 billion in India's largest-ever IPO. The South Korean parent company of the manufacturer sold a 17.5% share in a "pure offer for sale", where existing shareholders sold...

Electric Utilities

India's biggest-ever IPOs before NSE and Reliance Jio offerings

The National Stock Exchange of India filed draft papers to?along-delayed listing? that will be one of the two mega initial public offerings in India this year. Alongside billionaire Mukesh?Ambani's Reliance Jio. NSE's IPO will likely?be worth $3.3 billion based on a?pricing of its shares in the private market, and it comes?after...years of regulatory delay. As part of this issue, existing investors will sell 6% equity in the company. This will be an offer-for sale with no new equity raised. Ambani’s AI-to Telecoms arm Reliance Jio Platforms, is also preparing for an IPO that could be the largest ever in India....

Fossil Fuels

The price of oil has risen by more than $2 since Israel's attack on Lebanon

Oil prices rose by more than $2 per barrel on Monday, after Israel launched new strikes against Lebanon on Sunday despite an agreement between the two nations. This shattered hopes of a ceasefire and the restart of crude flow through the Strait of Hormuz. As of 0013 GMT U.S. crude oil futures were up by $2.10 or 2.32% at $92.64 per barrel, while Brent crude rose by $2.33 or 2.5% to $95.42 per barrel. This erased a majority of Friday's losses, when prices fell on the hope of a deescalation of the U.S. - Iran conflict. The latest strikes seemed...

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

ADNOC will switch the oil price benchmark from Murban to Platts-Dubai.

Abu Dhabi National 'Oil 'Co announced on Friday that it will switch the benchmark for its monthly official selling price for all of its crude grades from Murban crude prices to Platts Dubai pricing for immediate-month from November 1. ADNOC said that the change will apply to Abu Dhabi crude grades onshore and off-shore, including Murban Das Umm Lulu Upper?Zakum and Murban. The company stated in a?statement?that it would align ADNOC OSPs with the month of cargo loading. ADNOC will announce the differentials between Dubai and ADNOC quotes in the month prior to cargo loading. ADNOC stated that the new...

Crude Oil

Document shows that Kuwait Petroleum is offering full-range of naphtha for delivery.

Kuwait Petroleum Corp. has bid 55,000 metric tonnes of full-range naphthalene?on a spot-tender basis. The company stated that the offer was made on a delivery basis based on a ship. The company 'tender for Asian markets' stated in its offer that the "product must be intended to East of Suez, and cannot be resold, or delivered elsewhere, without the seller’s written consent. This consent shall not be unreasonable. KPC offered?naphtha free-onboard?before the U.S. war with Iran started. The first time since February, it resumed offering cargo in June. The company stated that the cargo would be delivered by a tanker...

Crude Oil

Asian stocks stumble after a rout; Fed leaves markets guessing about rates

Asian stocks were choppy in trading on Thursday, after a week of market turmoil sparked by AI fears. A divided Federal Reserve remained steadfast on interest rates, leaving bond markets unsure about the next move. Brent futures fell below $90 a barrel after jumping by 7% the day before as fighting escalated in the Middle East. Data showed that tankers were still making their way out of this region despite continued strikes. Investors were confused by the Fed's split decision on whether it would raise rates to combat inflation. The yields on longer-dated U.S. Treasuries reached 19-year-highs. This week, Asian...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

South Korean shares, notoriously volatile, soar after renewed semiconductor purchases

South Korean shares rose 16% on Friday morning, fueled by a new surge in investment in global semiconductor stocks. This is the latest swing in a market that has been thrown back and forth by leveraged bets. The benchmark KOSPI rose 919.07 or 16.43% to 6,512.63 at 0115 GMT after three consecutive sessions that saw the index drop to its lowest levels since April 7. Both chipmakers are set to record record gains. Both chipmakers are responsible for more than half the KOSPI market capitalisation. The shocking turnaround was after the Philadelphia Semiconductor?Index soared 8% in U.S.A. on Thursday. Micron...

Mineral Resources

The 400 million ASML "printers" key to the AI chip boom

ASML is Europe's most valuable firm thanks to its dominance of lithography systems. These are?huge?chip printing? machines that cost up to $400 million and are essential to companies driving the?AI boom. Chipmakers have expanded their capacity quickly due to AI advances and the global expansion of data centers. ASML supplies memory chip makers such as SK Hynix and Micron, as well to TSMC which manufactures chips for Nvidia. In the middle of the product range, the company faces new competitors from China. It is also being pressured by the United States regarding exports of certain tools to?Asian nations. The Dutch...

Mineral Resources

South Korea's KOSPI reports its biggest drop since early March, as chipmakers slump

South Korean shares fell nearly 11% in their 'worst session for about five months' on Tuesday, as a global chipmaker selloff?hammered SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics and CXMT, while CXMT’s stellar debut in the market heightened concerns about Chinese competition. The benchmark KOSPI fell 732.09 or 10.84% to 6,023.66, its largest daily loss since the 4th of March, when the index experienced a record drop following the outbreak of the Iran War. The price fell by as much as 11.3% in one day and triggered a circuit breaker, the 14th time in history. The price also fell below 6,000 for the...

Mineral Resources

South Korea's KOSPI falls 7% as the global chipmaker sale deepens

South Korean shares fell 'on Tuesday, as a global sale of chipmakers weighed down on technology heavyweights. Pressured 'by concerns about a 'intensifying competitive environment - from China - and a steep drop in SK Hynix shares listed in the U.S. The benchmark KOSPI fell 500.47 points or 7.41% to 6,253.81, prompting "sidecar" trading restrictions on both the KOSPI index and junior Kosdaq, temporarily suspending programme trading. Memory-chip manufacturer SK Hynix fell 10% after 'its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which were issued in the United States, dropped to a new record low and below their original U.S. offering prices. Samsung...

Mineral Resources

Investors focus on US tech earnings as South Korean shares lose early gains

South Korean shares closed slightly higher on Tuesday, after a sharp rise in the early going. However, caution before key U.S. technology earnings and chip earnings underscored the market's reliance on heavyweight chipmakers. The benchmark KOSPI Index settled 0.7% higher, at 6,797.7, after rising 6.2% during early trading. This was largely due to a 9% increase in AI memory chips maker SK Hynix. SK Hynix reversed its course and ended marginally lower, while Samsung Electronics finished slightly higher. The'sharp swings' highlighted the dominance and power of Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and other companies that together account for more than half...

Mineral Resources

As the AI rally cools, Indonesian stocks that have been beaten down feel the love.

Some investors are buying back the laggards as big investors start to sell and Indonesia's battered, unloved stock markets is gaining some love. Jakarta's stock market has been Asia's worst performing'major' stock market for this year. It is down by 28%. Investors have been looking at markets with less of a focus on AI. David Chao is the Asia-Pacific Global Market Strategist at Invesco, based in Singapore. He said: "We have been buying Indonesia and taking a profit in South Korea." "Indonesia remains the most overlooked macro-growth story." BARGAIN HUNTERS ARE SEEKING VALUE AS SENTIMENTS CHANGE Although still cautious, the...

Mineral Resources

New York Times Business News - July 7,

These are the most popular?stories from the New York Times business pages. The New York Times has not?verified?these?stories and cannot?guarantee?their accuracy. U.S. president Donald Trump will likely restore the rights of Turkey to buy F-35 stealth jets at the NATO summit, which would reverse a 7-year-old ban imposed by Trump himself. Canada announced on Monday that it has selected ThyssenKrupp to build a fleet of submarines in collaboration with the Norwegian, German and Canadian governments. This is a move towards reducing Canada's military and economic dependence on the United States. Walmart announced on Monday that it would be slashing the...

Mineral Resources

Australia's Lynas and South Korea's JS Link Sign Deal for Malaysia Magnet Factory

Lynas?Earths 'announced on Tuesday that it had signed a deal with South Korea JS Link for the development of a magnet plant in Malaysia. JS Link, a magnet manufacturer in?South Korea, and the Malaysian factory planned by JS Link will receive rare-earth material from the Australian producer until January 2038. This partnership comes after a magnet manufacturing agreement between the two companies in last year. Under the new?deal, JS Link is going to establish a permanent magnet factory in Kuantan (Malaysia) with 3,000 tonnes of neodymium, iron, and boron (NdFeB). Lynas stated that it will invest a total of?about A$50m...

Mineral Resources

South Korean shares rise 4.1% on chip stocks' recovery

South Korea's KOSPI recovered sharply on Wednesday morning. It surged 4.1% in the first 30 minutes after nearly a 10% plunge just a day earlier. Retail?investors were rushing to buy a dip. KOSPI increased by more than 330 points, to 8,550.21, just moments after trading started at 0000 GMT. Market leader Samsung Electronics jumped more?than 9% and SK Hynix gained 5%. Seo 'Sang-young is a strategist with Mirae Asset Securities Co. He said that the rebound immediately recouped the double-digit losses of the previous session as retail investors filled the order books. Seo stated that "retail investors are a major...

Mineral Resources

Trump Administration pivots towards buying stakes of critical sectors

As part of its efforts to reduce its dependence on China, the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to secure U.S. supplies chains for essential minerals and semiconductors. Federal grants are being converted into equity stakes within companies. The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded $500 million on Wednesday to SandboxAQ, a company backed by Nvidia. This money will be used to develop new materials to make chips. The following companies are linked to the strategic investments push: SANDBOXAQ In exchange for a small stake in the company, the U.S. Commerce Department awarded $500 million to SandboxAQ, a Nvidia-backed company. The...

Mineral Resources

South Korea anticipates favorable outcome following Lee's EU Steel Request

A senior South Korean adviser to the president said that the European Union would give maximum consideration to South Korea’s request for favorable?treatment of their?steelmakers, under the new import regime. The request was made by the South Korean president Lee Jae Myung during a Wednesday meeting in Brussels with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Commission. Kim Yong Beom, a presidential policy advisor, told a press briefing that Lee had asked the EU to "consider" South Korea's status as a strategic?partner and a?partner in a free trade agreement. Kim said that...

Mineral Resources

Korean shares plunge on tech saleoff, worst week since March

South Korean stocks plunged on Friday, and are headed for the steepest weekly decline since 'late March. A global retrenchment in technology and the stalled U.S. Iran?peace negotiations?have severely impacted investor risk appetite. The Korean won fell to its lowest level against the US dollar since 2009. Bond yields also spiked. This prompted government officials, including Finance Minister Koo Yun Cheol, to issue a verbal warning about speculative bets. Broadcom's disappointing results on Wall Street sent semiconductor stocks tumbling. Investors who bet heavily on the demand for Broadcom's custom AI chips were disappointed. The Philadelphia semiconductor index fell 2.2%. KOSPI,...