United States

Iraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure financial assistance due to?the Middle East conflict, said a source with the IMF as well as an Iraqi official on Thursday. The IMF source said that initial discussions took place at the spring meetings in Washington of the IMF and World Bank last month. Discussions are still ongoing on how much funding Iraq will need and the structure of any loan. Iraqi officials who advise on financial policy have said that Iraq has begun preliminary talks with the IMF and World Bank about a loan for the country's finances,...

It may not be sufficient to wait out the oil crisis. Federal Reserve officials may have to show that they will take action to achieve their inflation targets, just as European counterparts seem to be determined to do. If that happens, it could be a big deal given what Wall Street forecasters are currently thinking. The crude oil futures for the end of year are at their highest levels since the Iran 'war began, with little evidence of a lasting peace agreement. The latest U.S. April inflation data showed that the damage to?already high prices was escalating. The Fed's target...

Venezuela launched a restructuring on Wednesday of its sovereign debt as well as that of the state oil company PDVSA. This boosted bond prices in an effort to relieve itself of 'unsustainable obligations. In a statement, the Government said that the "orderly and comprehensive" overhaul would include both the sovereign debt as well as the debt of PDVSA. The government also stated the goal to "substantially reduce" the debt burdens. In a statement, it was stated that the restructuring is meant to "put economy at service of Venezuelan people", with any relief being directed towards social welfare, inclusive development and...

Canada's main stock index dropped on Wednesday, as gold and technology stocks?came under pressure?while investors viewed developments?around the Middle East conflict and U.S. president Donald Trump's China visit. At 11:03 a.m., the S&P/TSX composite index of the Toronto Stock Exchange fell 0.5% to 34 128.67. ET. It closed Tuesday at its highest level in three weeks. This index is the worst performing on TSX in this?year. It has fallen by nearly 20%. Brian Madden said that the Canadian technology sector was more of a victim than a benefit of artificial intelligence due to a high concentration of software firms. It...

This week, the U.S. will likely move closer to a managed trade system for non-sensitive products. Each side may identify $30 billion in goods that they can reduce tariffs on and sell to one another without violating national security redlines. U.S. -Trade Representative Jamieson Greer first proposed the "Board of Trade", a "deliverable agreement" for this week’s high-stakes'summit' between U.S.-President Donald Trump and Chinese-President Xi Jinping. The plan's contours are still sketchy but there is a clear shift in the dialogue: Washington no longer demands that Beijing change its export-driven and state-directed economic model into one more similar to the...

Brenntag, a German chemical distributor, posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday. Price increases and cost reductions helped, but the company warned of higher crude costs due to Middle East conflict in the months ahead. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has affected the global fuel and feedstock markets and driven up prices in the energy-intensive chemicals industry. Thomas Reisten, CFO of the company, said on a conference call with analysts and reporters that the higher costs for fuel and transportation due to the tensions in the Middle East were being passed onto customers via surcharges and increased prices....

The U.S. Energy Information Administration?said Tuesday that U.S. Natural Gas?output would reach a record-high?in 2026 while demand would decline. EIA predicted dry gas production would rise from a 107.7 billion-cubic-foot record in 2025, to 110.6 bcfd by 2026, and 115.0 bcfd by 2027. The agency also projected that domestic gas consumption would fall from an all-time high of?91.9 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2025, to 91.2 in 2026 and then to?94.4 in 2027. May's projections were higher than EIA forecasts in April, which predicted 109.6 billion cubic feet per day for production and 90.6 for demand. The agency...

A UAE minister told a Damascus Investment Forum that trade between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria has more than doubled since '2025. It will continue to grow. This is a sign of rapidly warming relations between both countries. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State in charge of?Foreign trade, told the first?Syrian Emirati Investment Forum the non-oil trading between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria will reach a record $1.45 billion by 2025. This is a 132% increase from the previous years. He said that the rise in bilateral trade is a positive sign. During the two-day...

A senior Pentagon official stated on Tuesday that the United States war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far, which is an increase of $4 million from an estimate given late last month. The Democrats have been able to gain a lot of ground in the public opinion polls, as they try to tie the war to cost of living issues. The Pentagon announced on April 29 that the war had already cost $25 billion. Jules Hurst who performs the duties of comptroller told lawmakers that the new costs included updated repair and replacing equipment?and operational expenses. Hurst stated...

According to a'senior officer' in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Iran has expanded the definition of the Strait of Hormuz far beyond what it was before the Iran war. Fars, a news agency affiliated with the Iranian government, reported Tuesday that the strait was no longer viewed by the IRGC Navy as a small stretch of water around a few islands, but had been significantly enlarged and given a greater military significance. "In the past the Strait of Hormuz has been defined as a small area around islands like Hormuz or Hengam. But today, this view is changing," said...

Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve chairman, is on his way to the Federal Reserve to "clip the wings" of a bank that he believes has strayed into politics. Many countries are afraid that this will only give the 'U.S. Politicians have more freedom to use financial instruments as a weapon. Warsh, who was nominated by U.S. president Donald Trump in January to succeed Jerome Powell at the helm of the board, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate before Powell's?term ends on May 15th. His confirmation hearing delved into his views on?Fed independence? and a controversial preference to...

Prices of oil rose by nearly 1% on Tuesday as the talks to end U.S. - Israel's?war on Iran? appeared fragile. Tehran's response?to a Washington proposal highlighted stark differences which have kept supply concerns alive. Brent crude futures rose 86 cents or 0.8% to $105.07 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was up 99 cents or 1% at $99.06 as of 0411 GMT. Both benchmarks rose by nearly 2.8% Monday. U.S. president Donald Trump said on Monday that the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "on life support." He cited disagreements on several demands such as the cessation?of?hostilities across all fronts,...

?Gold prices dipped on Thursday as investors focused mainly?on a?recent development in the Middle East conflict and signals from U.S. president Donald Trump's recent meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. At 9:42 am EDT (1342 GMT), spot gold was down by 0.4% to $4,668.34 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell by 0.7% to $4672.70. The dollar?U.S. The dollar rose 0.1% and made metals priced in greenbacks more expensive to holders of other currencies. Oil prices fell after Iran's official media reported that 30 vessels had recently crossed the Strait of?Hormuz. This report briefly boosted gold prices. Bart...

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary, said on Thursday that he was expecting an announcement regarding large Chinese orders for Boeing aircraft when President Donald Trump visits Beijing. Washington wants to expand its exports to China. Bessent told?CNBC earlier in the day that they would be discussing other purchases including energy and agricultural products, as well non-strategic or non-sensitive areas where China could invest in America. Bessent, after meeting with Chinese counterparts, told CNBC’s “Squawk box” program that fireworks were one of the?goods?the U.S. wouldn't seek to reshore. Bessent stated that U.S. officials and Chinese officials had discussed the formation of...

Gold remained largely unchanged on 'Thursday as investors digested a rise in U.S. Inflation due to increased energy costs associated with the Iran War. As of 0931 GMT, spot gold was up 0.1% to $4,689.79 an ounce. U.S. Gold futures for June delivery dropped 0.2% to $4,696.20. China's Xi Jinping said that the trade talks are?making good progress on Thursday at the beginning of a two day summit. However, he warned that disagreements over Taiwan may?damage relationships and even lead conflict. Gold is still hovering at $4,700 while markets digest the latest U.S. inflation figures. Carlo Alberto De Casa, a...

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy. Cerebras Systems' initial public offering in the United States was priced at $185 per share, which is above the upper end of their indicated price range. - 'Chip startup Fractile announced that it raised a $220 million Series?B funding round led by Accel, Factorial Funds and Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund. Cisco Systems will cut?thousands? of jobs in order to?increase artificial intelligence? in its business. The National Football League has signed a four-year contract with Netflix to license three...

Gold prices rose on Thursday as a result of a 'weaker' dollar. Investors were also looking for any signs of progress with the Iran War and focused mainly on talks between U.S. president Donald?Trump & Chinese president Xi Jinping. As of 0440 GMT, spot gold was 0.4% higher, at $4,706.70 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose 0.2% to $4,713.40. Dollar eased making greenback bullion prices more affordable for holders other currencies. GoldSilver Central's Managing Director Brian Lan said, "Gold is consolidating at the moment because everyone is watching what happens in the high level talks between the...

The gold?price remained steady on Thursday as investors centered their attention on the?conversations?between a?U.S. The Iranian war was the focus of attention between President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping. As of 0212 GMT, spot gold remained unchanged at $4,688.43 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell 0.2% to $4,695. GoldSilver Central's Managing Director Brian Lan said, "Gold is consolidating right now as everyone is watching what happens in the high level talks between the U.S.A. and China." Lan said: "I think (gold) is also a window for those investors who want to get into metal." Trump...

Sherritt International announced on Wednesday that 'its external auditor resigned and its finance chief left. These developments would delay the first-quarter filings and could trigger a halt to trading in Canada. A U.S. executive directive that expanded sanctions against Cuba also targeted Moa Nickel - a joint venture between Sherritt Nickel and Cuba's nickel state company. Sherritt has suspended its direct participation in the joint-venture in Cuba following the U.S. Order of?May 1. Deloitte, the Canadian mining and energy firm, announced on Wednesday that it had resigned from its role as 'auditor' with effect from May 12, and has started...

The gold price fell a second time on Wednesday as inflation fears fueled by war weighed on the expectations for interest rate reductions. Markets were also looking forward to the upcoming summit between U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. At 1:59 pm EDT (1759 GMT), spot gold was down by 0.6% to $4,686.35 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures closed 0.4% higher at $ 4,706.70. U.S. Producer Prices increased more than expected in April, posting the biggest gain since early 2020. This is the latest sign that inflation has accelerated amid a 'war on Iran. Peter Grant, senior...

Tyson Foods' Chief Financial Officer Curt calaway stated on Wednesday that U.S. producers are "spotty",?in their efforts to rebuild a nation's reduced herd. Supplies will remain tight as low inventories pushed beef prices to record levels. As part of his efforts to reduce domestic beef prices, President Donald 'Trump' has been considering possible executive actions that would lower tariffs on imported beef and regulations for producers. Prices for milk, eggs and other grocery staples are down since Trump's presidency in January 2025. However, beef prices have increased by over 16%. HIGH?PRICES AND DROUGHT WORRIES Ranchers are slow to keep female...

Nippon Steel is Japan's largest steelmaker. On?Wednesday, it said that its net profit for the fiscal year ending in March will?increase dramatically to a?220 billion ($1.4 billion). This is because the effects of one-off losses are fading from its results. Nippon Steel also reported a 95% decline in profits for the previous financial year, to 17.2 billion Japanese yen. In February, the company announced that it "expected" to lose 70 billion yen in the fiscal year ending in March. This was due to an explosion at a blast-furnace and to costs related to the U.S. Steel transaction. Nippon Steel said...

Gold prices were under pressure Tuesday, as the oil price rose due to falling hopes of an Iran peace agreement. This added to concerns about inflation and the prospect of higher interest rates globally. By 1757 GMT, spot gold had fallen 1.2% to $4678.49 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures closed 0.9% lower, at $4686.70. "Higher oil costs raise the risk that U.S. central banks and others may have to increase interest rate to combat what would certainly emerge as stagflation. Gold is reacting to that," Bart Melek said, global head for commodity strategy at TD Securities. As?hopes of a peace...

Emirates Global Aluminium is sticking to its investment plans, despite the Iran War. This was revealed by the chief marketing officer of the company on Tuesday. EGA, largest aluminium manufacturer in the Gulf, had to close its Al Taweelah Smelter in United Arab Emirates due to an Iranian attack on late March. It is also planning to build the first primary aluminium smelter built in the United States for almost 50 years, alongside Century Aluminum. Adel Abubakar, during a discussion panel at the CRU World Aluminium Conference on Tuesday, said: "I don't think that anything is really changing from an...