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Energy Markets

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

Markets take stock of Trump’s U-turns and the relief rally is stuttering

Investors struggled to sort through the noise of the Trump administration, its erratic stance on tariffs, and the Federal Reserve leadership. This week, U.S. president Donald Trump attacked Fed chair Jerome Powell. He then retracted his calls for the resignation of the chair, leaving investors in the dark about the final state of tariffs against China, despite the many headlines. A source said on Wednesday that, in the event of talks with Beijing, the Trump administration may consider lowering tariffs for imported Chinese products. This follows a Wall Street Journal article which stated that Trump's White House was considering reducing...

Crude Oil

Dollar and stocks are in focus as US-Japan talks take center stage

The dollar rose slightly on Thursday as traders took stock in the trade negotiations between Japan and the U.S., despite the uncertainty surrounding tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. Gold prices reached new record highs on the back of safe-haven flows. Investors also digested comments made by Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell who warned about the risks of slowing down growth and increasing prices due to tariffs. After a bruising trading session on Wednesday, the spotlight remained on technology stocks in light of the warnings issued by bellwethers Nvidia & ASML and ahead of TSMC's earnings. Japan's Nikkei index rose...

Crude Oil

Gold surges as shares in Asia plummet after Nvidia calms fears about fans

The shares fell on Wednesday in Asia as the AI darling Nvidia was hit by U.S. curbs to chip sales to China. This highlights the potential damage that could be caused in a global trade war. Gold also hit a new record, and safe-haven currencies rose. Treasury yields remained steady before a major speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, scheduled for later that day. The traders are wondering whether he'll echo the surprising dovish tone of his Fed Governor Christopher Waller or remain more balanced. Washington's overnight issue New export licensing requirements Nvidia and AMD have agreed to ship...

Crude Oil

Bonds hold steady, shares gain on tariff relief

Asia shares rose Tuesday, but futures showed weakness in Europe and America after President Donald Trump said he could grant exemptions to auto-related tariffs. U.S. Treasury Bonds steadied after staging a recovery over night following last week’s historic selloff. Meanwhile, the dollar continued to lose favour with investors. Trump said Monday that he is considering a change to the 25% tariffs on imports of foreign autos and auto parts from Mexico, Canada, and other countries. These tariffs can increase the cost of a vehicle by thousands of dollars. Trump stated that car companies need "a little time" to manufacture cars...

Crude Oil

Stocks rally in relief after Trump's tariff pause

On Thursday, global shares surged after U.S. president Donald Trump announced he would temporarily reduce the heavy duties he just imposed on several countries. In a shocking reversal, Trump announced on Wednesday that he would pause many of his new tariffs for 90 days following a market crash which erased trillions from global stocks. George Lagarias is the chief economist of Forvis Mazars. He said, "You have had a relief rally since realising that the market pressure resonates with President Obama." Lagarias said, "The main takeaway is that there will be limits and thresholds which he (Trump), will probably respect."...

Crude Oil

US assets left behind at relief rally after Trump's tariffs pause

On Thursday, Asian shares rose and a manic sell-off of bonds stabilised after U.S. president Donald Trump announced he would temporarily reduce the heavy duties he just imposed on several countries. After a market crash that wiped trillions from global stocks, and sent U.S. Treasury Bonds and the dollar tumbling, Trump announced on Wednesday a 90-day suspension of many of his new duties in an unexpected reversal. The dollar and U.S. stocks futures were not included in Thursday's relief rally, despite a surge overnight on Wall Street. Investors' confidence is eroding and "sell America" trading has intensified. The world's political...

Crude Oil

Stocks rally in relief after Trump suspends tariffs

On Thursday, global stocks rose, the dollar recovered its footing and the manic bond saleoff stabilized after U.S. president Donald Trump announced he would temporarily reduce the heavy duties he just imposed on several countries. After a market crash that wiped trillions from global stocks, and sent U.S. Treasury Bonds and the dollar tumbling, Trump announced on Wednesday a 90-day suspension of many of his new duties in an unexpected reversal. Overnight, Wall Street's "Magnificent 7" stocks soared again. Their market value grew by more than $1.5 trillion. S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index posted their largest daily percentage...

Crude Oil

US assets are battered by trade war as'sell America trade' is intensified

The latest trade war escalation between the United States of America and China has shook the global markets on Wednesday. Investors have dumped bonds, stocks and the dollar. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump's 104% tariffs against China went into effect. Beijing responded with 84% duties on U.S. imported goods. According to George Saravelos, head of Deutsche Bank's foreign exchange research, the seemingly wholesale withdrawal of Treasuries from the market and the dollar as the "backbone" of the global financial systems could be indicative of a general decline in investor interest in holding U.S. assets and the end of an era....

Crude Oil

Euro up as stocks ease amid US-China trade war

The major stock indexes declined on Tuesday after the United States announced that 104% tariffs on imports from China would take effect shortly after midnight. However, the euro and European equity futures rose following reports that Germany's parties had reached an agreement on a coalition. However, two people who knew the situation said that the German coalition was still not agreed upon. Investors were optimistic earlier in the morning that Washington would be willing to negotiate some of its aggressive trade tariffs. The Trump administration is also It is important to begin discussions with other trading partners that are being...

Crude Oil

Dollar and shares tumble as Trump tariffs cause recession fears

The stock market limped into the weekend on Friday. The dollar was headed for its worst month-end in a while, and gold flirted near a record high as investors worried that U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs could tip the global economic system into recession. Asian shares have struggled to recover the heavy losses of Thursday's session. The Nikkei 225 index in Japan fell by 1.85%. This is a continuation of its 2.8% decline from last Thursday. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan fell 0.26% on thin trading, as markets in China Hong Kong and Taiwan were closed for the holiday....

Crude Oil

Gold and stocks rise as investors wait for Trump tariff clarity

The global stock market rose on Tuesday, following Wall Street’s overnight gains. Gold reached a record high and Treasury yields dropped as markets waited for details about U.S. president Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. The Japanese yen and Swiss franc held steady as demand for traditional safe-haven assets increased. The risk-sensitive Australian Dollar also rebounded, after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept interest rates unchanged, as expected, while warning of a "pronounced" uncertainty in the global economy. Investors anxiously await April 2, the day Trump has called "Liberation Day", where he promises to reveal a massive tariff plan. The Office of...

Crude Oil

Gold reaches record highs on US tariffs, while Asia stocks fall

Asian stocks dropped on Friday, with South Korea and Japan seeing heavy selling. Meanwhile, gold reached a new record high after the latest tariff salvo by U.S. president Donald Trump raised investor fears of a full-blown trade war. Trump has moved forward with a 25% auto import tariff that will kick in next Monday. This move has drawn fierce criticism from politicians, industry executives and car manufacturers around the world. Trump's escalation of the global war on trade that he started upon regaining power has shocked the markets. Shares of automakers around the world have been hit especially hard. In...

Refined Products

Refined Products

South Korea hosts Alaska Governor and energy team amid talks of gas pipeline

Alaskan state officials, including the governor and energy officials, visited South Korea to discuss energy collaboration on Tuesday. This was in response to President Donald Trump's call for U.S. ally countries to join an stalled pipeline project. The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea said that the Governor Mike Dunleavy delegation included officials from the Glanfarne Group, which is a partner in a project to transport natural gas from Alaska's remote northern region via a $44-billion pipeline, and the state agency for gas. Dunleavy and South Korean Industry Minister Ahn duk-geun discussed energy issues including the Alaska LNG project and...

Refined Products

Sources say that Taiwan's CPC Corp. offers March jet fuel as a rare offer.

Three trade sources on Tuesday said that Taiwan's CPC Corp. is looking to export jet fuel in March. This would be the first time in almost three years that it has made such an offer. They added that the state-owned oil company issued a tender for a combined cargo of 150,000 to 150,000 bbls. of jetfuel or 150,000 bbls. of jetfuel and 150,000 bers. of gasoil with 10ppm of sulphur. A document that was reviewed by on Wednesday showed the cargo would be loaded between March 6-22. Sources said Tuesday that the tender will close on February 19, but it...

Heating Oil

Sources say that Taiwan's CPC Corp. offers March jet fuel as a rare offer.

Three trade sources on Tuesday said that Taiwan's CPC Corp. is looking to export jet fuel in March. This would be the first time in almost three years that it has made such an offer. They added that the state-owned oil company issued a tender for a combined cargo of 150,000 jet fuel barrels and 150,000 jet fuel barrels with 10ppm of sulphur. It was not possible to confirm exact loading details. One source stated that the tender will close on February 19, but it is valid until February 20. A second source said that the rare move was due...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Trump's trade tariffs and threats

Since returning to office in January, Donald Trump has issued numerous tariff threats. These range from a duty on all imports to a targeted tariff on certain sectors or countries. Trump's threats changed over time. This left other nations and business unclear as to what was next. It also created uncertainty for consumers and triggered a recent stock-market selloff. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS Trump's vision is based on a gradual roll-out of tariffs that will apply to all U.S. imported goods. Last month, Trump asked his team of economists to...

Mineral Resources

South Korean steelmakers are looking to U.S.-made products with higher value as Trump tariffs begin.

As major producers around the world prepare for Wednesday's increased tariffs, two major South Korean steelmakers have been evaluating their options to invest in new facilities. They said that the options included investing in operations in the U.S. The U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to increase protection for American producers of steel and aluminum restores global tariffs that are effective at 25% on all metal imports. It also extends these duties to hundreds downstream products, such as nuts and bolts, bulldozers blades and cans. Canada, the largest foreign supplier of aluminium and steel to the U.S.A., Brazil, Mexico, and South...

Mineral Resources

Trump's trade tariffs and threats

Since returning to office in January, Donald Trump has issued numerous tariff threats. These range from a duty on all imports to a targeted tariff on certain sectors or countries. Trump's threats changed over time. This left other nations and business unclear as to what was next. It also created uncertainty for consumers and triggered a recent stock-market sell-off. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS Trump's vision is based on a gradual roll-out of tariffs that will apply to all U.S. imported goods. Last month, Trump asked his team of economists to...

Mineral Resources

Vietnam decides to temporarily impose anti-dumping tariffs on China steel products

The trade ministry announced on Friday that Vietnam would levy a temporary antidumping tax of up to 27,83% on certain hot-rolled coils steel products from China. In a statement, the Ministry said that the tariff would be effective on March 7, and it will last for 120 days. Baoshan Iron & Steel, Maanshan Iron & Steel are among the companies affected by these duties Vietnam launched an investigation into anti-dumping in July after complaints by Vietnamese producers. After business hours, the Chinese ministries of foreign affairs and commerce did not respond to faxed comments. Hanoi's decision comes after the U.S....

Mineral Resources

Donald Trump's trade threats and tariffs

Since Donald Trump returned to office in the United States last month, he has imposed numerous tariffs on imported goods and threatened to do so more frequently. These can be broad - such as a tariff on all imported goods from abroad - or targeted at certain sectors, countries, or regions to try and get them to comply with his demands. Trump's threats are constantly changing, and other nations and businessmen are unsure of what to expect next. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS Trump's vision is based on a gradual rollout...

Mineral Resources

Karnataka State in India receives investment proposals totaling $115 billion.

A government spokesperson announced that Karnataka, a state in southern India, had received investment proposals totaling nearly 10 trillion rupees (115.31 billion dollars) as the country attempts to boost its manufacturing sector and create jobs in an economy slowing down. At the Invest Karnataka event held on Tuesday, a spokesperson stated that the proposed investments would be focused on renewable energy, automobiles, steel, semiconductors, and other areas. Not all of the proposals have been approved and the government does not provide a timetable for these investments. New Indian Express reported last week that the state government plans to implement 70%...

Mineral Resources

Donald Trump's trade threats and tariffs

Since Donald Trump returned to office in the United States last month, he has imposed numerous tariffs on imported goods and threatened to do so more frequently. These can be broad - such as a tariff on all imported goods from abroad - or targeted at certain sectors, countries, or regions to try and get them to comply with his demands. Trump's threats changed over the years, from small levies up to those exceeding 200%. Other nations and businesses are unsure of what will happen next. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS...

Mineral Resources

United States, Japanese, Philippine leaders discussed China's behavior in South China Sea, White Home says

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday met essentially with his equivalents from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation amongst the three countries, the White Home stated. The 3 leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, and China's unsafe and unlawful habits in the South China Sea, it said in a statement. The three leaders agreed on the significance of continued coordination to advance a complimentary and open Indo-Pacific. Biden spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. late on Sunday, a week before Biden leaves office and hands power to President-elect Donald Trump...

Mineral Resources

What's at stake for Asian companies in a Trump presidency

Donald Trump has actually been chosen U.S. president, topping an amazing comeback 4 years after he was voted out of the White Home. Here is what business in Asia have bought the United States, what Trump has stated about them and what possible U.S. service policy changes would mean for Asian companies. SEMICONDUCTORS Asian chipmakers, led by Taiwan's TSMC and South Korea's Samsung Electronics, have jointly invested a minimum of $117 billion in the U.S., encouraged by the current U.S. administration's essential initiative aimed at lowering its dependence on Asia for high-end chips. In return, they have gotten or been...

Fossil Fuels

EU set to select firm for important minerals joint purchasing platform

The European Union, rushing to develop a 9 million euro joint getting mechanism for important minerals and energy, is choosing between 8 bidders competing to develop a platform, documents revealed and sources with direct understanding told Reuters. The bloc's reasoning for pooling together buying orders is that it would hand individuals more take advantage of to attain more beneficial deals and rates for crucial minerals necessary for the green shift that sell thin and nontransparent markets frequently controlled by China. The EU aims to sign an agreement by the end of the year and begin establishing areas of the platform...

Mineral Resources

Previous disturbances at Apple facilities in India.

A fire at a major Tata Electronic devices plant manufacturing elements for Apple iPhones in southern India halted production on Saturday, the most current in a series of events disrupting Apple's facilities in the area. It is not yet clear what caused the blaze in Tata's Tamil Nadu plant. Apple has been considering a large manufacturing base in India since it began iPhone assembly in the country in 2017. Presently, its products are produced through contracts with companies consisting of Foxconn and Tata Electronics. The level of the fire's effect on Tata's products is still unknown. One structure where iPhone...

Mineral Resources

U.S. manufacturing ETFs win possessions as financiers bet on 'reshoring'.

Financiers are piling into exchange traded funds concentrated on business that are restoring or expanding production in the U.S. and benefiting from federal government subsidies. Some $2.25 billion has streamed into a little group of ETFs highlighting the so-called reshoring theme this year, bringing their total assets to a record $9.67 billion by the end of August. Companies keep describing reshoring as a long-lasting driver of their development, and our goal is to find beneficiaries or enablers of that pattern before that theme is mainstream, said Chris Semenuk, who oversees the actively managed Tema American Reshoring ETF, introduced last year....