United States

The day ahead for European and global markets on Thursday Donald Trump has been the subject of many headlines over the last 24 hours. He promised to stop defense contractors from paying dividends and buying back shares until weapons production increased. He supported a bipartisan bill that targeted countries doing business in Russia. The United States was also removed from dozens of U.N. and international organizations. His vice president said that the U.S. would exert "incredible" pressure on Venezuela by controlling its oil sales. Trump's plans for Greenland are also worth mentioning. But the markets don't seem to give a...

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. president Donald Trump, along with his advisers, are planning to dominate the "Venezuelan Oil Industry" for many years. Trump told his aides that he believed his efforts could lower oil prices as low as $50 per barrel. The report cited people who were familiar with the situation as saying that the U.S. was considering a plan in which they would exert?some control? over Venezuela's PDVSA state-run oil firm, including purchasing and marketing the majority of its oil production. Could not confirm immediately the report. The White House didn't immediately respond to the?'?zeit imediat??'?...

PDVSA, Venezuela's state oil company, said Wednesday that it was?progressing with negotiations with the United States regarding oil sales.?A board member of the company informed?the?U.S. Will need to purchase cargoes at the international price. Washington announced on Tuesday that it had reached a deal with Caracas for access to up $2 billion of Venezuelan crude. This is a sign the Venezuelan government has responded to President Donald Trump’s demand that they be open to U.S. companies and risk further military intervention. Trump has said that he wants Delcy Rodrguez, the interim Venezuelan president, to be installed in this week's after...

Trump warns of more military operations following Maduro's capture Murphy, a Democrat, says that the plan is stealing oil at gunpoint' Rubio: US will make sure oil companies can access Venezuela during the recovery phase. Simon Lewis and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, said that the United States had a three-step strategy for Venezuela. The plan will start 'with stabilizing the country, after U.S. troops seized Nicolas Maduro,' then ensure that U.S. companies have access to Venezuela during the recovery phase, and lastly oversee a transition. Donald Trump warned that he would launch...

MEXICO CITY. Jan. 7 - Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Wednesday that Mexico was not sending more crude oil to Cuba than in the past, but that amidst recent events in Venezuela Mexico had become an "important" supplier of crude oil to Cuba. Sheinbaum's comments were made during her morning press conference, in response to the question of whether Mexico was now the primary oil supplier for Cuba following the United States blockade of oil exports from Venezuela since mid-December. "We are not sending more oil than we have historically." She said. "Ofcourse, with the current Venezuelan situation, Mexico...

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the United States must control Venezuela's oil revenue and sales to achieve the changes it seeks to see in Venezuela. Wright stated that he had been speaking with?U.S. Wright said he was speaking to?U.S. Donald Trump announced over the weekend that the U.S. will "take control" after U.S. troops ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. This could allow U.S. companies to access the vast oil reserves of Venezuela. Wright added that instead of blocking the oil as it is now, the government will sell it to buyers around the U.S. Wright said that the?sales will...

The Financial Times reported that the U.S. oil giant Chevron, along with private equity group Quantum Energy Partners, are teaming up to bid on the international assets of Russian oil company Lukoil, valued at $22 Billion. Chevron's exploration and production portfolio is diverse, globally. The company continues to evaluate potential opportunities. "In all of its activities, Chevron adheres to a code of ethics for business and follows?laws that are applicable to our business." Quantum, Lukoil, and the White House didn't immediately respond to comments. Reports in November said that Chevron was examining options to purchase Lukoil’s global assets. This would...

Wall Street closed higher on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an 'all-time high thanks to surging shares in financial companies, while energy companies jumped following a U.S. military?strike which captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Investors believe that Washington's action against Venezuela's government will allow U.S. companies access to the largest oil reserves in the world. The Trump administration will meet this week with executives of U.S.-based oil companies to discuss increasing Venezuelan production. Exxon Mobil, Chevron and other heavyweights have both surged in the S&P 500 Energy Index. After Washington's military intervention, weapons manufacturers have also seen a...

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Monday over a possible increase in instability?in Venezuela following the capture by the U.S. of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. The 15-member Security Council met at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, just hours before Maduro had to appear before a Manhattan federal judge on drug charges - including narcoterrorism conspiracy. Maduro denies any criminal involvement. Guterres made the statement in a letter to the U.N. Political Affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo. Guterres called for all Venezuelan actors, including the government and opposition parties, to engage in a democratic and inclusive dialogue. He...

Phillips 66, a U.S.-based refiner, announced on Monday that it had?agreed? to purchase the assets and infrastructure from the Lindsey Oil Refinery located in northern?England after the site was liquidated. It will also integrate the key facilities with its Humber?Refinery. The Lindsey Refinery closed last July after the previous owner Prax went bankrupt, putting 420 jobs on the site in danger. Phillips 66 did not reveal the value of the deal, but said that it decided to not restart standalone operations in the refinery after a thorough review during the bid process. The site, they stated, was 'unviable as is,...

Phillips 66 announced on Monday that it has agreed to purchase the assets - and infrastructure - of the Lindsey Oil Refinery, located in northern England, after the site was liquidated. It will then 'integrate' the key facilities within its Humber Refinery. After a thorough review of the bid process, the U.S. refiner announced that it would not restart standalone operations in the British refinery due to the site's size, capabilities and facilities. Phillips stated that the Humber Refinery Complex will integrate storage and infrastructure assets from Lindsey, which will improve supply flexibility, as well as support both traditional?and alternative...

Keir starmer, British Prime Minister said that the United States was responsible for justifying its actions after it captured President Nicolas Maduro. He described the situation as being "not straight forward." "What Venezuela needs is a peaceful, democratic transition." Starmer said that this was the?position we held before the weekend and it is still our position. "International law is a framework, anchor, or benchmark against which we judge all other governments' actions. It is up to the U.S., of course, to justify "the actions" that they have taken. It's not easy. Even today, new developments continue to occur." Maduro was...

Gold prices fell on Thursday, as a strong dollar weighed on investors. They were preparing for a major U.S. employment report due later this week, which will be used to assess the Federal Reserve’s policy and gauge U.S. influence on Venezuela. As of 0539 GMT, spot gold dropped 0.4% to $4435.62 an ounce. U.S. gold GCcv1 futures for February delivery dropped 0.4% to $4444.40. Bernard Sin, Regional Director- Greater China at MKS PAMP, said that traders are weighing increased geopolitical pressures, such as the U.S.'s intervention in Venezuela, against macroeconomic signals coming from the United States. The?dollar remained near its...

Gold prices fell on Thursday as a result of a strong dollar. Investors were preparing for the release of a key U.S. employment report this week, which will be used to assess the Federal Reserve’s policy and gauge U.S. influence on Venezuela. As of 0539 GMT, spot gold dropped 0.7% to $4423.20 an ounce. U.S. gold GCcv1 futures for February delivery dropped 0.7% to $4432.0. Bernard Sin, Regional Director- Greater China at MKS PAMP, said that traders are weighing increased geopolitical pressures, such as the U.S.'s intervention in Venezuela, against macroeconomic signals coming from the United States. The?dollar remained near...

Gold prices fell 'on Thursday due to a strong dollar. Investors were preparing for a major jobs report that will be released later this week. This could give more insight into the U.S.'s monetary policy and they are also assessing U.S. pressure against Venezuela. As of 0344 GMT spot gold fell 0.3% to $4440.67 an ounce, dropping from a high reached in the previous session. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery also fell by 0.3%, to $4449.60. "Traders are weighing up heightened geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S.'s intervention in Venezuela, and the prospect of Greenland becoming a flashpoint due...

BlueScope Steel shares were down by 2% on early Thursday trading after the company turned down an A$13.2 Billion ($8.87 Billion) takeover bid from Australian conglomerate SGH and U.S. based Steel Dynamics. BlueScope's shares were trading slightly below the A$30 per share cash offer, which indicates investors believe a deal can still be struck despite the official rejection by the board. SGH shares traded 0.7% lower on Thursday after BlueScope stated that the offer "significantly undervalued" SGH after trading closed Wednesday. Steel Dynamics shares ended Wednesday's U.S. trade 2.8% lower. Macquarie analysts predicted that the takeover fight would continue. They...

Gold prices dropped more than?1% Wednesday, as investors booked profits following a recent rally. However, it did pare some losses after weaker-than expected U.S. job data increased bets on Federal Reserve rate reductions. As of 11:16 am, spot gold fell 1.1%, to $4,445.32 an ounce. ET (1616 GMT). Prices dropped as much as 1,7% to $4,422.89 in the earlier session. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery were down 0.9% to $4,456.10. David Meger is the director of metals trading for?High Ridge Futures. He said, "We view today's pullback as a general profit-taking after that recent surge." Meger said that the...

A?U.S. A?U.S. ETF provider is seeking approval to launch?the first-ever?exchange-traded funds tracking companies exposed Venezuela. The U.S. capture over the weekend of President Nicolas Maduro sparked an asset rally. Teucrium, a Vermont-based company, filed a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the launch on Teucrium Venezuela exposure?ETF. The ETF will track the stocks and depositary receipts for companies classified as Venezuelan, or that derive at least 50% revenue from this South American country or are based in major trading partners with significant exports into Venezuela. Teucrium's spokesperson said the company was working on the ETF "prior to...

Gold prices fell by over 1% Wednesday, as investors took profits after a recent rally. However, it was able to pare some of its losses following a weaker than expected U.S. payroll growth in December. As of 1138 GMT, spot gold fell 1%, to $4,452.97 an ounce. Prices dropped as much as 1.5%, to a low of $4.427.39 in the earlier session. Spot gold finished 2025 with a 64.4% increase, the largest annual gain since 1979. U.S. Gold Futures for February delivery were down 0.8% to $4,459. David Meger, Director of Metals Trading at High Ridge Futures said: "We view...

The gold price fell on Wednesday, as investors took profits after a?month-long rally which saw the yellow metal break records. A slightly stronger dollar also added to the pressure. As of 1138 GMT spot gold fell 1%, to $4,452.97 an ounce. This was after it briefly touched a record high in the previous session. Bullion reached a record-high of $4,549.71 in December. U.S. Gold Futures for February Delivery?were down by 0.7% to $4,462.70. "The trend is still positive, but some investors are taking profits after the recent rally. The USD has also recovered slightly, which is reducing gold demand, said...

BlueScope Steel's investors are hoping for a A$13.2billion ($8.92billion) buyout bid from SGH or U.S. based Steel Dynamics to win their support in selling Australia's biggest steelmaker. BlueScope shares closed?1.12% higher at A$29.87 on Wednesday, a fractional amount below the A$30 offer per share made public on Monday. The BlueScope board has yet to deliver an official recommendation on the all-cash bid, which was the fourth approach from Steel Dynamics put to the Melbourne-headquartered firm since late 2024. According to the agreement, SGH, owned by Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes would purchase BlueScope, and then sell the North American assets of...

BlueScope Steel's investors are hoping for a A$13.2 Billion ($8.92 Billion) buyout offer from SGH and U.S. based Steel Dynamics to gain their support to sell Australia’s largest steelmaker. BlueScope closed Wednesday with a 1.12% increase in its shares at A$29.87. This is a fractional amount below the A$30 offer that was made public on Monday. The BlueScope board has yet to deliver an official recommendation on the all-cash bid, which was the fourth approach from Steel Dynamics put to the Melbourne-headquartered firm since late 2024. SGH, owned by Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes would purchase BlueScope, and then sell the...

Berkshire Hathaway announced on Tuesday that it had raised the salary for?new chief executive Greg Abel, to $25 million. This is a far greater salary than the $100,000 per year salary that his predecessor Warren Buffett received for over four decades. Abel, who is 63 years old, was appointed chief executive of Berkshire on January 1 after eight years in the role of vice chairman, overseeing Berkshire’s non-insurance business. Buffett set his compensation during this period. It included a $21 million salary in 2020, a $ 20 million salary in 2030, and a $15 million salary plus a bonus of...

Morgan Stanley predicted gold would reach $4,800 an ounce in the fourth quarter, surpassing last year's records. They cited falling interest rates, the change of leadership at the Federal Reserve and central bank and fund purchases. Morgan Stanley also stated in a note dated January 5 that the events of Venezuela over the weekend would likely attract buyers who are looking for a safe place to store their money. However, it did not mention this as one reason why its forecast was $4,800/oz. Bullion reached a record-high of $4,499.71/oz in December and ended 2025 at a gain 64%. This was...