United States

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...

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...

Brent crude oil prices for second-month delivery traded higher than the price for immediate delivery on Wednesday for the first since the start of the Iran war in late February. This signals an 'increased supply near-term. Brent crude oil, the global benchmark traded 12 cents more for contracts with September delivery than those with August deliveries, suggesting the market has priced in a large supply of crude in the near-term. We have the 'prospect of a rush of physical supply coming out of the Arab Gulf. Neil Crosby is the head of Sparta Commodities' research. "We are currently in a...

U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio met with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait (Kuwait) on Wednesday. He pledged not to undermine the security of these Gulf allies, as he tried to reassure Gulf Allies sceptical about a 'proposed deal' to end the U.S. - Israeli war against Iran. The U.S. and Iran?accord signed last week is the first between American and Iranian Presidents since the?1979 Islamic Revolution. It includes a $300 billion fund proposal and the lifting of certain sanctions against Tehran. Rubio, who arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE late Tuesday night for...

Eleven commodity day traders have offered to donate PS1million ($1.32 million) to a fund for crisis situations as part of a deal that will end a three year investigation by Britain's market regulator into possible violations of competition law. The Financial Conduct Authority announced on Wednesday that it considered the traders' obligations appropriate. This included changing how they handled sensitive information, annual training and a payment likely to exceed any FCA penalty. The traders who mainly traded in?energy futures have proposed to arrange a contribution to Crisis and Resilience Fund. This is a government scheme which?provides financial support to families...

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...

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...

United?Nations?Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on?Wednesday? that climate adaptation should be treated as an important priority by governments -- and valued appropriately by the financial system. As climate risks increase and funding gaps widen, this must become a top priority. Guterres said that as droughts, flooding and other extreme weather conditions affect communities around the world, adaptation has been chronically underfunded and undervalued. "Finance Ministers, Central Banks, Planning Ministries and Public Investment Authorities must 'treat climate risks as core economic policies in order to mobilize greater domestic resources," said he, urging government to 'incorporate climate risk into everything from fiscal policy...

The Republican-majority U.S. Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would halt U.S. military action against Iran. However, it is not clear what impact it will have on the war while President Donald Trump's Administration negotiates a deal with the Islamic Republic. The Senate voted in favor of a concurrent resolution that was passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month. This reflects a growing concern among Trump's Republicans over the unpopular conflict which began on February 28, despite the majority of Republicans voting for it. Four 'Republicans joined all Democrats except one in voting for the resolution. ?Two Republicans did...

Mark Lashier, CEO of Phillips 66 in the U.S., said 'on Tuesday that it will take some time for crude supplies to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.' This is because there remains uncertainty about a return to normal shipping activity. The Strait of Hormuz continues to be used on a limited scale, which eases immediate concerns about supply and lowers crude prices. Energy companies monitor how quickly crude flow, inventories, and shipping activity returns to normal. Lashier, speaking at a JPMorgan Conference, said that between 90 and 100 million barrels of crude oil remain trapped in this strait. They...

Under the interim agreement to end the war with Iran, the U.S. began lifting some sanctions. However, it will be difficult for any comprehensive agreement to unravel the tangled webs of restrictions that restrict the country's trade and activities. It is for this reason that any attempt to lift the sanctions against Iran may take many years, and foreign investment could be slow to return. WHEN WILL THE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN BE RELEASED? Since decades, the U.S. has imposed sanctions, trade 'embargos' and asset freezings on Iran over its nuclear program, human rights record, and support of groups in the...

The U.S.-Iran diplomatic relationship has resulted in a reduction of gasoline prices for Americans. This is the sixth consecutive 'weekly drop, and a 15% decrease from the peak reached in May. According to GasBuddy, the?national average gasoline price fell by 14.1 cents per gallon in the past week. It was $3.85 a gallon on Sunday. Prices fell in the majority of states. GasBuddy data revealed that gasoline prices dropped by 25 cents per gallon over the last week in Colorado, 22 cents in Arizona, and 21 cents (per gallon) in Ohio. This drop could ease the pressure on 'U.S. Donald...

On Wednesday, spot gold prices fell below the psychologically important?level? of $4,000 an ounce for the first time since 2025. This was due to a stronger U.S. dollar and growing expectations that interest rates would remain high. Dollar-priced gold is now more expensive to holders of other currencies. After the U.S. Central Bank struck a hawkish tone at its most recent policy meeting, traders have increased their bets that interest rates will rise in the U.S. this year. They also continue to worry about inflationary pressures due to the Iran War. Tai Wong, an independently-owned metals trader said that the...

Lingyi iTech, a Chinese company, priced its Hong Kong IPO at HK$10.18 ($1.06bn), allowing it to raise HK$8.3bn ($1.06bn), which will be used in part to expand its AI capabilities. Apple's supplier is aiming to capitalize on the rising demand for AI computing and advanced equipment. In its prospectus, it stated that approximately 37.6%, or about HK$3,07 billion, of the IPO proceeds would be used to upgrade core manufacturing processes and increase production capacity. The next three years will see a total of?HK$1,71 billion invested in the manufacturing of high-density AI server, humanoid robotic hardware and AI optical communications infrastructure....

China announced Wednesday plans to create a 'whistleblower hotline' that will encourage citizens to report the smuggling?of restricted?critical minerals. Beijing is continuing its crackdown against a sector which has given it so much diplomatic leverage. The Ministry of Commerce will reward organisations and individuals who report violations of export controls, such as transshipment. Callers must call during normal business hours. The hotline is closed for 2.5 hours over lunch. You can also submit information?via a?form online. China processed the majority of rare earths in the world and used its production control to great diplomatic advantage during the U.S. trade war....

Investors weighed conflicting signals about U.S. peace talks with Iran as they assessed the varying signals from U.S. and Iran. Gold spot fell 0.7%, to $4,081.24 an ounce, at 0751 GMT. It had earlier fallen to its lowest level since June 11. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery declined by 1.2% to $4.098.70. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Tuesday that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections in "infinity" while Tehran claimed it had not made such a concession during negotiations. This raises questions about whether their fragile peace agreement will survive. Both sides disagreed over the details of a...

Investors weighed conflicting signals about the U.S. - Iran peace talks as they assessed rising bets that U.S. interest rates would rise. Gold spot fell 0.5% at 0609 GMT to $4,088.97 an ounce, after hitting its lowest level since June 11. U.S. gold for August delivery fell 1% to $4106.30. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Tuesday that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections indefinitely. However Tehran claimed it had not made any such concessions during negotiations. This raises questions about their fragile peace agreement. Both sides disagreed on the specifics of a provision which would give Iran access to...

Gold fell on Wednesday, reaching its lowest level for 'almost two months, as the dollar rose amid rising bets that the U.S. would raise interest rates, and investors analyzed conflicting signals regarding the U.S. Iran peace talks. Gold spot fell 1%, to $4,067.51 an ounce, at 0236 GMT. It had earlier fallen to its lowest level since the 11th of June. U.S. gold contracts for August delivery fell 1.6% to $4.083.90. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that Iran agreed to nuclear inspections in "infinity" on Tuesday. Tehran denied this and said they had not made such a concession during...

The?U.S. dollar?hit a one-year high on Tuesday, outweighing support from lower oil prices amid progress in U.S.-Iran talks. Dollar?hit a year-high on expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. This outweighed support from lower oil prices in light of progress in U.S. Iran talks. By 11:45 am, spot gold had fallen by 1.2% to $4138.79 an ounce. ET (1545 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell by 1.1% to $4156.40 an ounce. The U.S. Dollar rose to its highest levels in over a year, making gold more expensive for foreign buyers. Right now, gold and silver don't look...

?Gold prices fell on?Tuesday as the U.S. Dollar hit a year-high on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike, which outweighed support from softer prices for oil amid progress in U.S.Iran negotiations. By 9:26 am, spot gold had fallen 1.7% to $4118.73 an ounce. ET (1326 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery?fell by 1.6% to $4135.60 an ounce. The U.S. Dollar rose to its highest levels in over a year, Tuesday. This made gold more expensive for buyers from abroad. "At the moment, gold and silver aren't looking at the Middle East." Bob Haberkorn is a senior market analyst...

CopperTech Metals aims to raise up to $3.57 'billion? in its U.S. IPO, joining a 'wave' of companies aiming for the crowded IPO market this summer. It said that the U.S. copper and cobalt company is looking to raise up to $423.5 by selling 23.5 million shares at a price between $16 and 18 per share. After a short lull, the IPO market is now booming. The stock markets are bouncing back and investors' appetite has increased. This week, e-bike startup Lime and silver?miner Sinda launched their U.S. initial public offerings. ITG, a digital infrastructure company, and Italian technology company...

Executives have revealed that Orion Critical 'Mineral Consortium is in advanced talks to establish three new public-private partnership in Asia as it looks to fund a?global? pipeline of $20 billion opportunities. The consortium will form a third leg of investment in Asia to complement the $1.8 billion raised last year by the group to improve access to critical minerals such as copper, lithium and rare earths. The project is being led by Orion Resource Partners a mining-focused private equity firm, and backed up by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ. Orion Resource Partners...

The?U.S. dollar was stronger on Tuesday and this pushed gold prices down?more that 1%. ?dollar fell?more than 1% on Tuesday,?pressured by a firmer 'U.S. As of 0414 GMT, spot gold was down by 1.1%, at $4,142.61 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 1% to $4160.20. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst at KCM Trade. He said that while gold had received some relief this week from lower oil prices, it was not getting any help from the U.S. Dollar, which "continues" to rise on expectations of Fed interest rate hikes. Gold is less affordable for buyers...

Gold prices rose on Monday, after recovering from a?low? of over a week in the previous session. Progress in U.S. Iran peace talks helped to stabilize oil prices, and eased inflation fears. Gold spot rose 0.5%, to $4.182.39 an ounce at 1:50 pm. ET (1750 GMT). On Friday, prices reached their lowest level since June 11. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery? Settled 1% Lower at $4,202.7 per ounce. Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank, said that energy prices would remain the key driver of precious metals in the short term. We're watching the bumpy discussions in Switzerland between?U.S. Iran...