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Energy Markets

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

India's rice harvest is a record crop, resulting in a surplus of ethanol.

India has allocated record volumes of rice for ethanol production, as it battles with unprecedented inventories. These are expected to grow further when the new crop arrives. This is a turnaround from the earlier shortages which led to export restrictions. The conversion of more rice into ethanol helps reduce the rice stock in the world’s largest producer and exporter. It also keeps India’s ambitious ethanol blend programme on track, despite the drop in sugar cane supplies. India lifted the last of two years' worth of export restrictions in March. The poor rains had curtailed rice production. The abundant monsoon rainfall...

Oil & Gas

Sources say that Itochu will not participate in the Seven & i Buyout.

Two sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that Japan's Itochu has withdrawn from a proposed buyout of Seven & i Holdings by the founding family. Seven & i founders Ito family started talks with the Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard to privatize the company for a reported $58 billion. Nikkei reported on Wednesday morning that Itochu decided to not participate in the purchase. Nikkei reported that Itochu considered investing 1 trillion yen (6.69 billion dollars) but saw little synergy between its food and beverages business and Seven & i. Seven & i & Itochu declined comment. Itochu's decision not to...

Oil & Gas

India greatly raises import tax on edible oils to support farmers

India has raised the fundamental import tax on crude and fine-tuned edible oils by 20 portion points, the government stated on Friday, as the world's greatest edible oil importer attempts to assist secure farmers reeling from lower oilseed prices The move could lift edible oil prices and dampen need and consequently decrease abroad purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil. After the duty walking announcement, Chicago Board of Trade soyoil extended losses and fell more than 2%. New Delhi on Friday imposed a 20% fundamental customs task on crude palm oil, crude soyoil and unrefined sunflower oil from Sept....

Oil & Gas

Extreme Asian heat spurs LNG demand ahead of summer months

Severe temperature levels throughout Asia are driving up melted gas (LNG) demand in the region as importers look for freights ahead of summertime, with imports in South Asia hitting records. This could tighten readily available supply and additional lift Asian spot prices that have currently gotten a third considering that April, with heatwaves across South and Southeast Asia boosting air-conditioner use and other cooling demand. Costs are now at a near six-month peak above $12 per million British thermal systems (mmBtu) and are anticipated to stay raised. Spot prices are now driven by Asian demand. Temperature levels in South Asia...

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Thailand presents new trade proposal that offers zero tariffs for many US products

The Thai Finance Minister announced on Monday that Thailand had submitted a new proposal to the United States. It offered to reduce tariffs to zero for many U.S. imported products in an effort to avoid steep tariff increases on its own goods. Washington has threatened to levy a 36% tax on Thai imports, if no agreement is reached before July 9th when the 90-day period that caps tariffs at 10% for most countries expires. Last year, the United States was Thailand's largest export market, accounting for 18.3%, or $54,96 billion, in total. Washington claims that its trade deficit with Thailand...

Electric Utilities

Investor's letter: Vietnam cuts retroactively subsidies for solar and wind farms

According to a petition from investors, Vietnam's state-owned power utility has reduced the subsidised prices that it pays for electricity generated by solar and wind farms. These farms now face defaulting on their bank debts. The document was sent to Vietnam's highest authorities on May 16, and follows a letter from the majority of signatories in which they warned that billions of dollars were at risk due to retroactive changes made by Vietnamese authorities to subsidies, even though they were targeting a massive expansion of solar energy capacity. Documents show that, starting with invoices for January, a subsidiary EVN's Vietnam...

Fossil Fuels

Saigo, a Japanese player, wins Chevron in the largest major LPGA playoff ever.

Mao Saigo, a Japanese player, won the Chevron Championship after beating four other players in a sudden-death playoff. The 23-year old won his first major after being tied with Ryu Haeran of South Korea after three rounds. However, a few late mistakes led to a score of two over par on Sunday. She sank a birdie on the par five 18th hole to keep herself in it. She joined China's Yin Ruoning and South Korean Kim Hyo Joo as well as Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan from the United States, in the playoff. In a televised statement, she said:...

Environment

Mining

Mineral Resources

US copper futures rise as tariff fears loom

U.S. Copper Futures soared by nearly 6% Monday, increasing their premium over London Prices amid growing speculation about new import tariffs after President Donald Trump’s latest aluminum trade measures. Trump announced on Friday that he would increase the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, up from 25%. U.S. Comex Copper Futures rose 5.7% to $4.9175 a pound. This is the highest price since April 3. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange rose by 1.1% at $9,597.50 a metric ton as of 0944 GMT. The COMEX premium over the LME, a global benchmark price, has...

Mining

London copper prices rise on weaker dollar but US-China Trade Conflict caps gains

The copper price in London rose on Monday due to a weaker currency, but renewed U.S. China trade tensions heightened supply chain concerns, which limited the metal's further rise. As of 0706 GMT, the benchmark three-month price for copper on London Metal Exchange (LME), was up by 0.7% to $9,572 a metric tonne. China's commodities markets were closed Monday due to the Dragon Boat Holiday. As markets assessed potential inflation and growth risks from U.S. president Donald Trump's latest tax policy, the dollar edged down, paring its gains of last week. Trump's announcement on Friday that he would increase import...

Mineral Resources

Pandora's annual U.S. Tariff Impact is $178 Mln

Danish jeweller Pandora estimated on Thursday that the total impact of U.S. Tariffs on its company would be around 1.2 billion Danish Crowns ($178.34 millions) per year. This is before any mitigation actions taken by the company. Pandora's shares fell 12% to a low of 15 months on Thursday after U.S. president Donald Trump raised duties on imports of goods from many countries. This included a 37% duty on Thailand where the company has two factories that produce most of its charms bracelets and other jewelry. Pandora's biggest market, the U.S.A., which accounted for 31% in revenue last year, estimated...

Mining

Indonesian miners' group calls on government to reconsider proposed royalty increase

The Indonesian Mining Association urged the Government to reconsider its plan to increase royalty rates on mining products, as the miners already struggle with increasing operational costs and tightening cash flow. Indonesia may consider raising the royalties that mining companies pay for commodities such as coal, nickel and copper. Authorities say this is to improve the industry's governance. Hendra Sinadia, Executive Director of the group, said: "An increase in royalty rates will increase the burden on the business community. It can also affect production and investment planning." He said: "We ask that the government reconsider its plan to raise tariffs,...

Mining

Thai EV production set to increase, sparking price wars in a battered market

Thai EV sales may jump by 40% in 2025 President of the association: Production and subsidy conditions are driving EV sales Analysts say that new supply and limited demand may intensify the price war. By Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK - Thailand's auto industry is already suffering from a slump in sales and experts say that a price war on EVs could be extended due to a rise in production by Chinese car manufacturers. Suroj Sangsnit is the president of Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand. He said that electric vehicle sales are expected to increase by 40% in Thailand this year. This...

Mineral Resources

Weather concerns to crush India's sugar production, export hopes

Sugarcane yields in India are decreasing due to in 2015's dry spell and this year's extreme rains, which could decrease the country's sugar production below usage levels for the first time in eight years, farmers and market officials said on Monday. Lower-than-expected output by the world's second-largest sugar producer might eliminate the possibility of India permitting exports in the existing season ending in September 2025, supporting worldwide sugar prices. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh account for more than 80% of the nation's total sugar production, with lower walking cane yields in these states prompting trade homes to decrease their output...

Mineral Resources

Thai SCG halts operations at $5.4 bln Vietnam petrochemical complex

Siam Cement Group (SCG). , Thailand's largest industrial conglomerate, said on. Monday it has actually suspended business operation at its $5.4 billion. Long Son Petrochemicals complex in Vietnam after just one month. due to the chemicals' low margin. The chemicals industry has been grappling with high. inventory and destocking for the previous couple of quarters, putting. pressure on numerous firms. The resumption will depend upon worldwide vibrant demand, SCG. said in a statement to Reuters. SCG did not provide a clear timeframe for the suspension but. expected the chemicals industry would remained tough well. into the 2025. LSP, which began...

Mineral Resources

Myanmar's embattled junta chief takes on function of nominal president

All duties of Myanmar's token president have been moved to the chief of the judgment junta, Minutes Aung Hlaing, after the small head of state was placed on medical leave following a period of extended health problem, state television stated on Monday. Myanmar has actually been in swallowed up in chaos since Feb. 2021 when the military led by Min Aung Hlaing ousted an elected civilian government in a coup, activating a wave of protests that has transformed into an across the country armed rebellion versus the junta. Although Myint Swe, 73, is just a token president, the junta has...

Mineral Resources

Singapore Airlines plane made 'significant drop', people flung upwards, say guests

There was little caution of the mayhem that was to come as passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 relaxed with just three hours to Singapore after a long haul flight from London. However as the Boeing 777-300R overlooked Myanmar it unexpectedly hit extreme turbulence, extremely tossing travelers, flight attendants and meals around the cabin. Unexpectedly the aircraft begins tilting up and there was shaking, Malaysian student Dzafran Azmir said. The 28-year-old braced himself and inspected he had his seatbelt on. He did. A lot of the other guests did not, he said. There was a really remarkable drop so everybody...