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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO launched on Friday an operation called Eastern Sentry in response to Russian drones entering Polish airspace this week. Rutte said at a NATO press conference in Brussels that "we must make it clear to the world our determination and our capability to defend our territories." He said this while standing next to NATO's top commander U.S. Air Force general Alexus Grynkewich. Rutte stated that NATO was still assessing possible intentions behind the incursion. This led to Polish and NATO allies shooting down drones, the first such action NATO has taken since Russia's...

In a Wednesday filing, Judge Leonard Stark stated that a Delaware court was inclined to deny the motion filed by Gold Reserve last month to disqualify an affiliated hedge fund Elliott Investment Management's bid to purchase Citgo Petroleum, a Venezuelan-owned refiner. Next week, the court will begin the final hearing in the court-organized sale of shares to pay creditors who have been owed money for expropriations or debt defaults that Venezuela has made. The hearing follows the selection of the $5,9 billion bid by Elliott's Amber Energy affiliate as the best offer in the auction. This choice was met with...

Investors and bankers on Wednesday said that BHP, the world's largest copper miner, is focusing on growing its own assets as it transitions to a new leadership. This means it will not be able to gatecrash a planned $53 billion merger between Anglo American Resources and Teck Resources. Anglo American, a London-listed company, and Teck Resources, a Canadian firm, announced their merger on Tuesday. This is the second-largest tie-up in this sector. The goal of the merger is to create a global heavyweight focused on copper. The deal was announced just over a month after BHP canceled a $49-billion bid...

Investors bought traditional safe-haven investments on Tuesday. Gold briefly reached a record high after the Israeli military claimed it had attacked Hamas leaders in Qatar. This marked an escalation in the conflict in this region. The Japanese yen, Swiss franc and oil prices all rose by about $1 per barrel. COMMENTS: MICHAEL BROWN SENIOR RESEARCHER, PEPPERSTONE LONDON. The immediate reaction to the spike in crude benchmarks, and a slight increase in spot gold is logical. Qatar's response immediately shows that it is not looking to escalate tensions or retaliate. "I'd expect the rally in crude to fade relatively rapidly, as...

Egypt's Petroleum Ministry announced on Monday that the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, or EGAS, has signed a preliminarily agreement with BP for drilling five new gaswells in Mediterranean Sea. The Ministry's efforts to increase exploration and production are reflected in the memorandum signed by EGAS, a state-owned company. Egypt, once the largest gas exporter in the region, is increasingly importing to meet its domestic demand, as production from old fields declines and new investments are slow. According to the Joint Organisations Data Initiative, gas production in May decreased by more than 40% compared to March 2021. The statement said...

Databricks, a firm that provides analytics, announced on Monday that it is on track to reach $4 billion in revenue annually, an increase of more than 50% over the previous year. This was due to the surge in demand for its artificial-intelligence products. The Series K funding was led by Andreessen Hoowitz, Insight Partner, MGX Thrive Capital, and WCM Investment Management. It raised $1 billion with a valuation of over $100 billion. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the company's AI strategy. This includes expanding its products, launching an entirely new category of operational databases, as well as future...

Databricks, a firm that provides analytics, is on track to reach $4 billion in revenue annually, an increase of more than 50% over the previous year. This was due to the surge in demand for its AI-based products. The company, which serves around 15,000 clients, including Shell, the energy giant, and Rivian, an electric vehicle maker, has exceeded a revenue run rate of $4 billion, with AI products exceeding $1 billion. The Series K funding was led by Andreessen Hoowitz, Insight Partner, MGX Thrive Capital, and WCM Investment Management. It raised $1 billion with a valuation of over $100 billion....

Blue Water Acquisition Corp announced on Friday it had submitted an offer worth $10 billion to purchase the parent company of Venezuelan-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum. The proposal also included a $3.2 million settlement for holders of Venezuelan bonds that were in default. The auction for PDV Holding's payment to up to 15 creditors was closed by a U.S. court last month, after an officer who oversaw the auction received improved bids. However, the court stated that it would accept unsolicited bids if they were submitted after the deadline. Blue Water Acquisition Corp. is a special-purpose acquisition company that was formed...

The oil prices continued to fall into the third session of Friday. They are now headed for a loss on a weekly basis for the first time since three weeks, as supply expectations increase and a surprising buildup in U.S. crude stock adds to concerns about demand. Brent crude futures dropped 10 cents or 0.15% to $66.89 per barrel at 0420 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude fell 13 cents or 0.20% to $63.35. Brent is down 1.78%, and WTI is down 1% this week. ANZ Research analysts said in a Friday note that the price of crude oil remained...

They announced on Thursday that Brazil's Raizen, and Mexico's Femsa, have decided to end their partnership, established in 2019, through the joint venture Grupo NOS, which operates an extensive network of convenience shops across Brazil. In response to operational challenges and high levels of debt, sugarcane processor Raizen has embarked on a divestment plan. The Brazilian company said that the agreement, which was described by both parties as amicable, did not include any cash considerations. Raizen will also receive 1,256 Shell Select convenience stores and Shell Cafe convenience shops. Femsa will receive 611 Oxxo shops, a distribution centre located in...

Two sources revealed new details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s major tax reform. India will cut consumption tax on 175 products, including shampoos, hybrid cars, and consumer electronics. Two sources revealed that India plans to reduce goods and services taxes (GST) from 18% down to 5% on products like talcum, toothpaste, and shampoo. This is expected to boost sales at companies such as Hindustan Unilever, and Godrej Industries. Before the Diwali shopping period, which begins in October, brands such as Samsung, LG Electronics and Sony will dominate sales, consumer electronics, like air conditioners, televisions and other electronic devices, could see...

According to documents filed by the officer overseeing sale, a $5.89 billion offer from an affiliate hedge fund Elliott Investment Management was recommended as the winning bid in a U.S.-court-organized auction for shares of the Venezuelan-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum. Robert Pincus, a court officer, made the recommendation despite an attempt by a Gold Reserve subsidiary to sweeten their $7.4 billion deal earlier in the week. Pincus, in a ruling earlier this month said that an improved offer from Elliott's subsidiary Amber Energy was superior. The court then gave the Gold Reserve Group three days to match the bid. Pincus stated...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Whirlpool, an appliance maker in the United States, told the U.S. Government that its overseas competitors may be undervaluing imports to avoid paying hefty tariffs by using federal data generated through import paperwork. ANZ Group has agreed to pay a total of A$240m ($159.70m) in penalties as part of a settlement deal for five issues within its Australian Markets & Retail business that were at the center of a regulatory investigation. The White House Chief of Staff...

Gold prices increased on Friday and remained close to the record highs set earlier in the week. Signs of a weakening U.S. labour market reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would deliver its first rate reduction of the year, next week. As of 9:19 am EDT (1319 GMT), spot gold was up by 0.4% to $3,649.54 an ounce. This is still close to the all-time high set on Tuesday of $3,673.95. This week, the metal is up 1.8% and on track for a fourth straight weekly gain. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery were up 0.4% to $3,688.10. Daniel Pavilonis...

Investors' expectations of U.S. rate cuts and concerns over possible shortages have fueled copper prices to their highest levels in five months. The price of three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange rose 0.2% in open-outcry official trading to $10,068 a metric ton. This is its highest level since march 26. The price of copper has increased by around 15% in the past year, but it has been unable to break through the $10,000 psychological barrier. Base metals rallied along with other markets after U.S. jobless claims surged on Thursday, confirming the belief that Federal Reserve would cut interest rates....

Embraer's CEO said that the Brazilian planemaker expects to achieve 100 commercial aircraft deliveries annually in 2028. He added that supply chain problems will likely prevent Embraer from reaching that milestone sooner. As part of its recovery after the industry crisis caused by the pandemic, the world's third largest planemaker increased annual deliveries. It expects between 77-85 commercial jet deliveries in 2019, up from 73 last year. Embraer's CEO Francisco Gomes Neto warned that supply-chain snags could limit Embraer's production plans. The company last delivered 100 commercial jets annually in 2017. In an interview with a newspaper on Wednesday, he...

The copper price fell on Thursday. It climbed above $10,000 per metric ton, but then retreated under the pressure of a stronger dollar and lingering uncertainty about how tariffs would affect demand. After touching $10,015, the price of three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange dropped 0.3% to $9.983 per ton during official open-outcry trades. This was the second consecutive session that it moved above $10,000. Nitesh Sha, a commodities strategist at WisdomTree, said: "I believe the news on copper markets is still quite positive, but the dollar has firmed up a little this morning and added some headwinds to...

Gold prices rose on Wednesday as investors hoped that the Federal Reserve would resume rate reductions at its meeting next week, after softer than expected U.S. inflation figures. As of 9:16 am EDT (1316 GMT), spot gold was up 0.6% to $3,647.79 an ounce after reaching a record high on Tuesday of $3,673.95 per ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery were up 0.2% to $3,687.40. Labor Department data revealed that U.S. producers prices fell unexpectedly in August. This was due to a decrease in service costs. Fawad Rasaqzada is a market analyst for City Index and FOREX.com. He said...

The copper price remained stable on Wednesday, as the market awaited data on loans from China's top consumer and U.S. Inflation numbers that may determine the direction in which U.S. Interest Rates will move. The benchmark copper price on the London Metal Exchange was 0.10% higher, at $9.929 per metric ton of official rings. Traders reported that volumes were low as consumers and producers were absent. The market was dominated by funds, which reacted to macro-factors. China's loan data is due on September 10-15. Analysts will focus on the total social finance numbers, which they use as a gauge for...

The gold price hovered at a high level on Wednesday. This was due to expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month. Market participants were also awaiting U.S. inflation figures for clues about its monetary policy. As of 0821 GMT spot gold was up 0.5%, at $3,643.78 an ounce. It had hit a record high on Tuesday of $3,673.95 per ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery were flat at $3.682.30. Ricardo Evangelista is a senior analyst with ActivTrades. He said that gold's gains are due to expectations of Fed rate reductions, and signs of cooling...

The copper price fell on Tuesday, as cautionary trading in anticipation of an important revision to U.S. employment numbers was offset by support from a major incident at a mine in Indonesia. In open-outcry official trading, the price of three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange dropped by 0.1% to $9.905 per ton. Commodity Market Analytics' Dan Smith said, "There has been a lot focus on the U.S. Economy with revisions to the U.S. Job Growth through March due today. Last Friday's data revealed that the job growth had almost stopped in August." Investors braced themselves for revisions which could...

The copper price was stable on Monday. This was due to the outflows of warehouses registered at the London Metal Exchange. A weaker dollar and expectations for stronger demand in China were also factors. In official open-outcry trade, the benchmark copper price on the LME fell 0.1% to $9.890 per metric ton. Last week, the contract reached a five-month peak of $10.038 amid growing expectations that U.S. rates will be cut in this month. The Yangshan premium and the import appetite of China, the top consumer, also supported the market. Its three-month record price is up 1.8% at $58 per...

The copper price rose on Friday, as a lower dollar and expectations of stronger demand in China boosted prices ahead of the U.S. Jobs Report later in the day that could provide greater clarity about the U.S. rate trajectory. In open-outcry official trading, the price of three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange increased by 0.5% to $9.947 per ton. On Wednesday, the contract reached a five-month peak of $10.038 due to the growing expectation of a U.S. rate cut in the latter part of the month. A lower interest rate improves prospects for metals that are growth-dependent, and a...

Berkeley, a British homebuilder, reaffirmed Friday its profit forecasts for fiscal years 2026-2027 and reported stable sales over the first four-month period of fiscal 2026. Housing market in the UK is facing renewed uncertainty, as high borrowing costs are causing affordability issues. Planning and regulatory obstacles also compound the situation. Developers, such as Persimmon, Barratt Redrow and others, are increasingly using incentives and discounts to boost demand. Berkeley has maintained its forecasted pre-tax profit of 450 millions pounds ($607,9 million) for year ending April 30th 2026. It also projected a similar result for fiscal 2027. LSEG data shows that analysts...