United States

Prices of oil climbed on Friday, just before the long holiday weekend here in 'the U.S. Brent futures rose 46 cents or 0.64% to $72.26 per barrel at 0407 GMT. West Texas Intermediate rose 32 cents or 0.47% to $69.01 per barrel. The U.S. market will be closed Friday in advance of Independence Day. Independence Day is celebrated on Saturday. The two benchmarks had their lowest level since the U.S./Israeli War on Iran, which began in late February. Brent was up by 0.35% for the week and WTI rose by 0.43%. These were the lowest weekly movements in the past?months....

Britain's National Grid said on Wednesday that it would invest $1.75billion for a 35 percent stake in Joulent. Joulent is a U.S. platform for developing power infrastructure for the data centres. It wants to take advantage of the surge in demand for electricity driven by AI. The agreement will fund Joulent’s first project: a 2,67-gigawatt, gas-fired facility developed in a joint venture with Chevron in?West Texas. Chevron will also supply power to a Microsoft data centre campus under a 20 year power purchase contract. National Grid's shares dropped 1.4%, trading at 1,230.5 pence as of?1142 GMT. AI-related demand for electricity...

Donald Trump's favourite word is "tariff". His continued use of the term last year sparked fear in the markets as his administration unilaterally implemented the most protectionist trade policies since 1930. The 'bark' was worse than the bite. Just over a month has passed since Trump declared "Liberation Day" and the average U.S. Tariff rate is lower in April 2025 than most feared. At just under 10% the daily effective rate of pre-substitution is still four times higher than it was at the end 2024. Tariffs are barely a factor on the financial markets. This is partly because investors are...

?U.S. The Energy Information Administration reported on Tuesday that crude oil production in April was the highest ever recorded at 13.93 million barrels per day. This is the highest level on record. Producers increased output to counter higher oil prices due to the Iran War. EIA data show that production rose by 216,000 barrels per day in April. Production in New Mexico reached a record of 2,37 million barrels per day. Texas' crude production increased by 36,000 bpd to 5.83 millions bpd. This is the highest level since November. The Permian Basin is located in Texas and New Mexico, where...

The oil prices were little altered on Tuesday, but they were heading for their largest monthly and 'quarterly' losses since the COVID-19 Pandemic early in '2020. Investors were looking at potential U.S. - Iran talks in Doha amid the strained -interim ceasefire of the four-month long war. Brent futures dropped 13 cents or 0.2% to $73.02 per barrel at 12:34 pm EDT (1634 GMT), whereas U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 89 cents or 1.3% to $69.86 per barrel. The two crude benchmarks are close to the levels they reached on February 27, just before the U.S. and Israel...

Cuba's Foreign Minister said that the talks started earlier this year between Cuba and its long-time enemy the United States have stagnated, leaving little hope of an end to U.S. Sanctions that have?seiged the islands economy. Top diplomat?Bruno? Rodriguez said that U.S. Sanctions are "causing death" in Cuba, as the islands economic collapse and severe shortages in food, fuel and medicine make life on the island's 9 million residents nearly unbearable. At a Havana press conference, Rodriguez stated that "talks between Cuban and US have not progressed." "The US delegations' generally respectful conduct has been accompanied with constant threats against...

?U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday urged gasoline retailers to lower their prices in honor of the?U.S. The United States celebrates its 250th birthday. President Donald?Trump reiterates his message that "we are watching." Bessent, in an interview with Fox News, said: "I'd encourage all gasoline retailers. Some of them are owned and operated by Big Oil. Others are independent. And some are international convenience stores." "I'd encourage them to act responsibly, particularly?during the 250th anniversary because we are watching." Bessent reiterated his boss's warning to gas stations Monday that they must lower their prices immediately, or else face "big...

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday urged gasoline'retailers' to lower prices in celebration of the U.S.'s 250th birthday, reinforcing 'Trump's message with a warning 'we're monitoring' Bessent, in an interview with Fox News, said: "I'd encourage all gasoline retailers. Some of them are owned and operated by Big Oil. Others are independent. And some are international convenience stores." "I'd encourage them to act responsibly, especially during the 250th anniversary of the?Oil Industry, because we are watching." Bessent repeated his boss's warning to gas stations Monday that they must lower their prices immediately, or else face "big issues." "If Retailers...

Donald Trump's favourite word is "tariff", and his continued use of the term last year caused fear in the markets, as the U.S. administration unilaterally implemented the most protectionist trade policies since 1930s. The bark was worse than the bite. Just over a month has passed since Trump declared "Liberation Day" and the average U.S. Tariff rate is lower in April 2025 than many had feared. The daily effective pre-substitution rate, at just over 10%, is four times higher than it was at the end of 2024. Tariffs are barely a?record in today's financial markets. This is partly because investors...

Donald Trump's favourite word is "tariff". His administration's unilateral protectionist trade policies of the 1930s were a cause for concern in the markets. The bark was worse than the bite. Just over a month has passed since Trump declared "Liberation Day," but the average U.S. Tariff rate is now lower than what many had feared for April 2025. At just under 10%, however, the daily effective rate before substitution is still four-times its level at the end 2024. It's also the highest, barring last year, since the early 1940s. Tariffs barely register on the financial markets of today. This is...

IMF Chief Economist?Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas stated on Friday that strategic petroleum releases prevented a more rapid rise in oil prices due to the Middle East war. However, the global economy is at risk if the fragile ceasefire agreement between the U.S. Gourinchas said in an interview that the reserves of the countries were now depleted. This meant they would have less maneuvering room if the conflict flared up again. Gourinchas has warned for years that geopolitical tensions can lead to an even more fragmented global economy. He did not give any details on a new forecast the IMF will release on...

The global equity markets fell on Friday as investors continued to take profits from?highly-flying tech and chip stocks. Meanwhile, crude oil prices plummeted as more tankers left Strait of Hormuz. Wall Street saw all three indexes trading lower, with choppy trading, as losses in energy, industrials and technology offset gains in healthcare stocks and real estate. The Dow Jones was on course for a gain, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are headed for weekly losses. The chip stocks fell 5% for a loss of 7.7% per week, the biggest weekly drop since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped...

Gold rose on Friday, and was expected to gain a weekly profit after four weeks of losses. Weak U.S. job data dampened expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise rates in the near future. Gold spot was up 1.3% to $4,176.29 an ounce at 1006 GMT after reaching its highest level since June 23. Bullion is above its 21-day moving average and up over 2% this week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery gained 1.53% to $4188.80/oz. Data released on Thursday revealed that nonfarm payrolls increased by 57,000 in the U.S. last month. This was below the 110,000 economists had...

Gold gained 1% on Friday, and investors were set to?make their?first weekly gains in five as they dialed back expectations for U.S. interest rate hikes after softer than expected jobs data. As of 0612 GMT spot gold was up by 1% to $4,165.29 an ounce. It had earlier reached its highest level since the 23rd of June. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery gained 1.3% to $4,178.50. Bullion is on track to gain 1.8% in a week, its first weekly gain since?May 29. Weaker-than-expected data from nonfarm payrolls as well as private payrolls have tempered inflation concerns and interest rates...

Operation Epic Fury, which was launched at the end February, quelled the early-year euphoria of copper and tin. Since then, the Iran war has been the main topic of discussion. This has made it difficult for traders to make sense of the headlines because they are so confusing. It seems that the Strait of Hormuz has entered a quantum world in which it is simultaneously open and closed, depending on who is speaking at any particular point?in time. Vanda Insights, a provider of oil market analyses, founded by?Vandana hari, says Schrodinger Strait is "continuing to reopen, but it's patchy and...

As investors lowered their expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes after softer than expected U.S. job data, gold rose by more than 1%. As of 0235 GMT spot gold rose 1.4% to $4179.94 an ounce. This was its highest price since June 23. U.S. Gold futures for delivery in August gained?1.6%, to $4193.20. Bullion is on track to gain 2.3% in a week, its first weekly gain since the week of May 25. Weaker-than-expected data from nonfarm payrolls as well as private payrolls helped ease concerns about inflation and longer-term interest rates. The dollar was heading for a weekly decline,...

Gold ?extended its gains, climbing more than ?2% on Thursday, after ?weaker-than-expected ?U.S. Non-farm payrolls reduced expectations for Federal Reserve interest rates to rise this year. As of 9:00 am EDT (1300 GMT), spot gold was up by 2.4% to $4,126.97 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures climbed 1.4% to $4,139.20. Dollar-priced materials are now cheaper for holders of other currencies, as the U.S. index fell by 0.7%. The lower than expected jobs number indicates a reduced likelihood of rate increases later this year. Gold tends to do better when interest rates are lower, said David Meger, director at High Ridge...

Gold rose on Thursday, helped by a weaker oil price, soft jobs data and comments made by the Federal Reserve Chair that inflation risks had eased. This was ahead of U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls Data. As of 0855 GMT the spot gold price was up 1.2% to $4,078.25 an ounce after reaching its highest level since last June 23. After U.S. payrolls for?June, the metal snapped a two day losing streak and closed higher at $4029.89. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery climbed 0.2% to $4,090.70/oz. Nikos Tzabouras is a senior market analyst with Tradu.com. He said, "The precious metal has...

The U.S. construction sector grew in May, despite the fact that mortgage rates were higher due to the Middle East conflict. Census Bureau of the Commerce Department?said that construction spending increased 0.1% on Wednesday after a downwardly-revised 0.3% rise in April. Economists surveyed by predicted construction spending would gain 0.1% following a previously reported increase of 0.4% in April. In May, construction spending declined 1.5% compared to the same month last year. The amount spent on private construction projects remained unchanged in May after increasing by 0.3% the previous month. Residential construction investment increased by 0.3% due to renovations. The...

Gold prices were stable on Wednesday, but remained near the seven-month low they hit the previous session as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates and Treasury yields rose. As of 1109 GMT spot gold was unchanged at $4,010.11 an ounce, having touched its lowest level in November last year of $3,942.99 during the previous session. U.S. Gold?futures?for August delivery fell 0.4% to $4.023.80/oz. The yellow metal suffered its first quarterly decline since 2024. U.S. Treasury rates rose for the third consecutive session. The stronger U.S. Dollar also increased pressure, as it made bullion more expensive for overseas buyers. UBS analyst...

South32, an Australian company, announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to sell the'majority' of its aluminium assets for up to $5.6 billion. Alcoa acquired the individual interests of the diversified mining company in Australia's Worsley Alumina, South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium and Brazil's MRN Bauxite Mine, Brazil Alumina Refinery, and Brazil Aluminium Smelter. South32 said that the U.S. aluminium giant will also assume rehabilitation provisions of around $1.2 billion. Matthew Daley, the new CEO, said that "our business will be simpler, with a portfolio of upstream operations with higher margins, reduced complexity, and greater resilience." This will allow for a...

CopperTech Metals announced a delay in its U.S. initial public offering on Tuesday. The company cited volatility in the global copper equity sector. Postponement is despite a resurgence in investor appetite for new listings. This has been bolstered by buoyant equity market and several blockbuster initial public offerings. Copper prices are volatile due to the expectations of new U.S. Tariffs, and the supply restrictions that will be imposed in response to the surge in AI-related demand. After a review, U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick will?update the president on the refined copper?market and domestic refining capacity on Tuesday. Global X Copper...

The dollar was firmer amid expectations that U.S. rates will be raised, and gold edged up from a near seven-month low. As of 1150 GMT spot gold was up 0.4% to $4,031.29 an ounce after hitting its lowest level in November 2025 earlier in session. U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 0.2% to $4.045.30/oz. "The failure to maintain gains (for gold), highlights the current fragile mood, where traders continue to?sell into strength instead of buying into weakness, which is a noticeable shift from behaviour seen in the past few years," said Saxo Bank Analyst Ole Hansen. Bullion fell more...

Labor?office data showed on?Tuesday that the number of unemployed in Germany dropped unexpectedly?in June. According to a recent poll, analysts and economists predicted a rise of 7,000. The total adjusted number of unemployed people dropped to 2.984 millions, below the '3 million mark. In June, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at?6.3%. This is unchanged from previous months. In a recent statement, the head of the Labour Office, Andrea Nahles, said that there was little evidence of change on the labour market. The unemployment rate is only marginally decreasing, while the employment that is subject to Social Security contributions continues...