United States

Why are global equity markets so resilient to the Iran Oil shock? Oil at $100 per barrel 'doesn’t mean the same thing it used to. Brent crude is up around 70% in price since the Iran War began on February 28, to $120 per barrel as of Thursday morning. Despite their volatility, global equity markets are still significantly above pre-war levels. There are a number of explanations but the most important one is rooted in mathematics. Fatih Birol is the head of the International Energy Agency. He has called the current oil crisis the worst ever - worse than the...

Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. Central Command (Axios) reported Wednesday that U.S. president Donald Trump will receive a briefing on new 'plans' for a?potential armed action against Iran. According to a report citing unidentified sources, the briefing will be held on 'Thursday. The 'White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Axios cited sources to report that CENTCOM had prepared a plan of a "short, powerful" strike on Iran. This would likely include infrastructure targets. The report said that Washington would hope to see Iran be more flexible at the table when it comes to nuclear...

German semiconductor materials provider Siltronic reported lower-than expected quarterly sales on Tuesday, as the company continued to be affected by an?uncertain market environment. According to a LSEG poll, the average analyst's forecast was 317 million euro. The German company's EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) was?65.1 million euros compared to 78.3 millions euros last year. This is below analysts' expectations of 67.4million euros. It is encouraging that the growth of AI-driven end market has continued to strengthen. But capacity constraints at our customers, particularly in the memory-chip sector, and persistently high inventories for 200 mm products are dampening...

Eni, Italy's energy producer, signed a deal with Venezuela's oil ministry and the state-run PDVSA on Tuesday to "relaunch" a heavy crude project within the Orinoco belt. PDVSA has been working with its key partners to sign preliminary agreements that confirm their interest in oil and gas projects or allow them to expand. This is as the government continues a broader?review on all contracts within the oil industry in order for the reform. In recent weeks, U.S. Chevron, British Shell, and Spain's Repsol have also signed similar agreements in order to confirm or expand their partnerships. The agreement with Eni...

The charts below, two months after the Iran War began, show the impact of the war on the economy in emerging and developing countries. They are facing increasing inflation, fiscal strains, and trade disruptions. 1/DIRECT HITS Middle East countries and their neighbors are the most directly affected. Qatar recorded its first-ever?trade deficit of $1.2 billion after the Strait?of?Hormuz closure slashed imports by half and exports more than 90%. JPMorgan's economists predict that Qatar's economy will shrink by 9% in this year due to damage caused to an LNG facility, which is more than Iran's forecast of minus 6.1%. The Fund...

Contemporary?Amperex Tech Co (CATL), the world's biggest EV battery manufacturer, launched a $5 billion share sale on Monday in Hong Kong. The company is looking to capitalize on its shares which are nearing record highs. According to a termsheet seen by, CATL will be?offering HK$628.20 - HK$651.80 for new H shares, a discount ranging from 3.5% - 7.0% on Monday's closing price HK$675.50. The fundraising is part of CATL's efforts to lock in capital as its share price continues to rise. It also faces an EV market in China that is fiercely competitive and where it has been difficult for...

Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to meet in Washington, D.C. this week for a meeting that may be Jerome Powell’s last as the head of the U.S. Central Bank. Energy prices remain high and the Iran War is at a standstill. This will likely prolong uncertainty regarding the outlook for economic and monetary policies. After a major obstacle was removed from the way, it now seems more likely that Powell's eight-year tenure at the Fed will end on May 15. Kevin Warsh's confirmation by the Senate as his successor was lifted on Friday. Powell is likely to oversee a vote...

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, reiterated his commitment to reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. This comes a day after TotalEnergies's head warned of a global energy shortfall if the Iran swar continued for several months. Speaking at a press conference with Greek Prime Minister KyriakosMitsotakis in Athens, Macron said that geopolitical uncertainties can lead to panic, which in turn could cause shortages. "Our aim is to achieve full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the next days and weeks in accordance with the international law. This will guarantee freedom of navigation, without tolls, on the Strait of...

Maduro is captured by US forces in Caracas raid in January The charges against him and his spouse include narcoterrorism conspiracies Defense attorneys call restrictions on payment unconstitutional By Luc Cohen A court filing on Friday showed that the United States has agreed to change its sanctions against Venezuela so that the South American nation's government can pay Nicolas Maduro’s defense lawyer. This is a reversal of a restriction which had 'threatened' to derail the drug-trafficking case brought against the former Venezuelan President. Maduro and Cilia Flores were arrested by U.S. Special Forces on 3 January from their Caracas home...

The Republicans are revising their plan ahead of the November midterm elections. With gas prices in the U.S. up, Donald Trump's ratings on approval down, and Iran still a hot topic, they're recalibrating. The strategy? The strategy? Four people who attended the meeting said that a group of Trump's advisers, including White House chief staff Susie Wiles and political?chief James Blair, laid out a plan to help candidates promote Republicans' policies on?tax reductions? and inflation. Republicans are trying to keep Trump out of the spotlight, because they fear that his declining political fortunes will hurt competitive congressional races. Trump's party...

Sefcovic said that during his Friday talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent he had raised concerns over 'the recent U.S. easement of sanctions on Russian Oil,' and understood it would not happen again. Sefcovic said he had been told by U.S. officials the relief in sanctions was due to concerns over the "extremely hard situation" that some low-income countries face, who are heavily dependent on imported oil. The U.S. Treasury Department issued on Friday a general license related to Russia, allowing for the sale and delivery of Russian crude oil as well as petroleum products on vessels from April...

Trump Administration announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on an independent "teapot refinery" in China for?buying billions worth of Iranian crude oil while Washington and Tehran are struggling to restart peace negotiations. Treasury Department targeted Hengli Petrochemical Refinery Co., which they said was one of Iran's biggest customers for crude oil and petroleum. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department said that it had also imposed sanctions against about 40 shipping firms and vessels operating as part of Iran’s shadow fleet. Last year, the Trump administration imposed sanctions against teapots Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group and...

China has exported large quantities of a rare earth used in chip-making and aerospace to the United States. Customs data showed that in March, tight controls, which caused shortages and record-high prices, could be loosening. The 60-ton shipment is 50 percent larger than the total yttrium shipped to the U.S. from China since April, when China implemented export controls on several rare earths at the height of the trade war. While rare earth exports were mostly resumed following a 'trade truce' late last year, the yttrium shipment was largely stuck. This caused shortages and production stops for aerospace and semiconductor...

Ford Motor raised its annual guidance by $500 million on Wednesday, thanks to significant tariff refunds. However, it said it still faced rising material costs as it worked to source aluminum for the?lucrative F150 pickup trucks. Ford Motor Company received $1.3 billion of relief from the U.S. Supreme Court's February ruling that invalidated some Trump Administration tariffs. Ford booked a gain in the first quarter on the expected refund, which boosted its bottom line. However, the company acknowledged that it is uncertain how quickly the government will reimburse them. Ford's guidance was raised by less than the refund amount, as...

Gold was largely unchanged on Wednesday as investors awaited the comments of U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to assess the economic impact of the Iran War as peace negotiations stall. As of 0611 GMT spot gold was down 0.1%, at $4,590.80 an ounce. It had fallen to its lowest level in April 2 the previous session. U.S. Gold futures for delivery in June?fell by 0.1% to $4604 Investors are expecting the Fed to maintain interest rates at the end its two-day meeting, later that day. War-driven energy shocks have reignited already-high inflation. "Much market resilience since last April's panic-driven...

Investors waited for a U.S. report on gold. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments will be used to assess the economic impact of the Iran War as the peace talks stagnate. As of 0439 GMT spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,602.82 an ounce after dropping to its lowest level in April 2 the previous session. U.S. gold futures for June delivery rose 0.2% ?to $4,616.40. Investors anticipate that the Fed will hold interest rates at a steady level after its two-day session later in the day. The market's resilience has been built on the assumption that the Fed will step...

Gold prices were largely stable despite choppy trading on Wednesday, as investors awaited the comments of U.S. Federal Reserve chair?Jerome Powell to assess the economic impact of the Iran War in the face stalled talks. As of 0243 GMT spot gold rose 0.1% to $4,597.07 an ounce after dropping to its lowest level in April 2 the previous session. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery were stable?at $4610.20. As markets anticipate the FOMC meeting, gold remained stable. Much of the market's resilience following last April's tariff panic was built on the assumption the Fed would be ready to intervene if...

Pernod Ricard & Brown-Forman announced that they had ended their merger talks after failing to reach mutually satisfactory terms. Last month, the companies announced that they had been in talks about a possible merger. This would have combined the second largest spirits producer in the world with the largest American whiskey producer. Sazerac American spirits group, which has brands such as Corazon Tequila and Svedka Vodka, emerged this month as a potential new bidder for Brown-Forman. Pernod Ricard said Tuesday that it remains confident and focused on its operating model and strategy, backed by a strong team of committed employees...

On Tuesday, gold fell to a near four-week low, due to persistent inflation fears after U.S. President Donald 'Trump' appeared unsatisfied by Iran's most recent proposal to end war. Investors were also awaiting the Federal Reserve's meeting on monetary policy this week. Gold spot dropped 1.7%, to $4,600.61 an ounce as of 1:42 pm EDT (1742 GMT), having hit its lowest level in April 2. U.S. Gold Futures closed 1.8% lower at $4,608.40. It's rekindled pessimism in the Middle East about peace. "The strait is closed because the Trump administration has rejected Iran's most recent offer," said Peter Grant. Gold...

Gold prices were steady on Monday as traders remained 'cautious' ahead of central bank meetings. They were wary that the persistent rise in oil prices might lead to a more hawkish stance. As of 1100 GMT, spot gold was unchanged at $4,707.16 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell 0.4% to $ 4,722.60. Fawad Rasaqzada is a market analyst for City Index and FOREX.com. He said that the main message traders are preparing to hear is that central banks would be more hawkish in their approach because oil prices had risen, which has increased inflationary pressures. The (gold)...

Gold prices were largely stable on Monday as traders remained 'cautious' ahead of central bank meetings. They feared that the persistent rise in oil prices would lead to a more hawkish stance. As of 0910 GMT, spot gold was down 0.1% at $4,704.01 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell 0.4% to $ 4,719.90. Fawad Rasaqzada is a market analyst for City Index and FOREX.com. He said that the main message traders are preparing to hear 'is that central bankers will be more hawkish in their approach than they previously were because oil prices have increased and inflationary...

Investors remained largely 'on the sidelines' on Monday as they awaited clarity regarding the stalled talks between Iran and the United States. As of 0728 GMT, spot gold was up by 0.1%, at $4,714.51 an ounce. Last week, gold fell 2.5% and ended a four-week streak of gains. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell?0.2% at $4,729.40. Kyle Rodda is a senior financial analyst at Capital.com. He said, "We are just watching to see if there is any progress in the U.S.-Iran talks?in the next few days. That's going be the biggest driver of gold." After a report that said...

Investors remained largely on the sidelines as they awaited clarity regarding the ongoing peace talks between Iran and the United States. As of 0553 GMT, spot gold was unchanged at $4,709.50 an ounce. Last week, gold fell 2.5% and ended a four-week streak of gains. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell?0.3% at $4,725.10. Kyle Rodda is a senior financial analyst at Capital.com. He said, "We are just watching to see if there is any progress in the U.S.-Iran talks in the next few days. That's what's going be the biggest driver of gold." Dollar eased, lending support to the...

Gold rose?on Monday, aided by a weaker?dollar?as news of Iran's new proposal to end its war with the U.S. boosted hopes for a deescalation of the Middle East conflict. As of 0407 GMT, spot gold was up by 0.4%, at $4,726.62 an ounce. Last week the metal dropped 2.5%, ending a four-week winning streak. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery were unchanged at $4,742. The?dollar, which lends support to the bullion market, eased after it was reported that Iran had given the U.S. through Pakistani mediators a new proposition on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as well as...