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Demand for iron ore continues to grow, resulting in a fourth consecutive day of rising prices.
Iron ore futures extended gains for the fourth day in a row?on Thursday. Demand was steady as hot metal production remained high, and the Singapore 'iron ore' contract declined on lower energy costs. The contract for September iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was 0.62% higher, at 817 Yuan ($120.10) per metric ton. As of 0704 GMT the benchmark June iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange fell 0.12% to $109.9 per ton, marking its seventh consecutive day of gains. According to data compiled and a report from the Shanghai 'Metals Market, hot metal production is expected to peak at the end of April, boosting demand for iron ore. However, rising?prices are dampening transaction volumes. The note stated that the market's?momentum has been strengthened by the?steady destocking of iron ore and the?lack of upward resistance to iron ore prices. Four sources have confirmed that workers on strike over a pay dispute halted the mining of two blocks in Guinea's massive Simandou iron-ore project, operated by a consortium headed by China's Baowu Resources. According to two union representatives and a consultant for the project, rail and port operations are still going on, but blasting, loading, hauling, and dumping has stopped. Simandou is home to the largest untapped iron-ore deposits in the world. After a?decades long delay, exports began?in November and are expected to reach a peak annual production of 120,000,000 metric tons. Coking coal and coke, which are used to make steel, also declined on the DCE, losing 0.5% each, and following a broader decline in the energy market. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's steel benchmarks were mixed. Hot-rolled coils and rebar both gained 0.85%, while wire rod barely changed. Stainless steel fell by 0.48%. $1 = 6.8029 Yuan (Reporting and editing by Ruth Chai)
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Solvay's first-quarter profits are in line with last year, but it passes on the costs of the Iran war to its customers
Solvay, a Belgian chemicals company, said it would pass on higher energy and transportation costs to its customers in response to the Iran War. Solvay says it will assess how the temporary closure of its Saudi Arabian-based joint venture peroxides would affect its business during the second quarter. It adds that the overall impact is limited. Vara Research had predicted a core profit of 220 millions euros, but the comments accompanying them showed that it fell to 219 million euros (257.37 dollars), a 12.4% decline. Solvay's Middle East sales are less than 5%, but since mid-March, production has been stopped at the 50-50 Saudi Hydrogen Peroxide Joint Venture with?Sadara Chemical Company. This joint venture is itself a joint project of Saudi Aramco, Dow and Dow. The company stated that "this?impact" on the second quarter will be?assessed, and will depend on when platform activity will resume. Solvay CEO Philippe Kehren, who spoke to reporters after presenting the results, said that the site will restart within a few months. Solvay shares dropped 8.8% after the news pushed the SBF 120 index to its lowest point. ($1 = 0.8509 euro) (Reporting and editing by Christoph Steitz, Louise Heavens, and Olivier Cherfan from Gdansk)
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Engie's first-quarter results are in line with expectations
The French utility Engie reported on Thursday that its first-quarter earnings had dropped after the?warmer temperatures?had lowered domestic gas sales and deliveries. The company's earnings before interest, tax and nuclear were $4 billion, down 8.4% compared to a year ago. This was in line with the analyst consensus estimate of 3.4 billion Euros compiled by LSEG. The company stated that the decline in 'earnings was partly attributable to their energy management business which supplies gas and power to both retail customers as well as business clients. Operating profit at this business was down 12.2% to?1.14billion euros. Data from the company showed that its renewable and flexible power division also saw a sharp decline in operating profits. The warmer weather contributed to this?16.1% drop to just a little under 1 billion euros. Engie confirmed this week a report that onshore wind development in the United States had slowed. However, it said that solar and battery development continued. Some permits are being revoked. "It's obvious that obtaining the required authorisations is in fact difficult," Engie Finance Chief Pierre-Francois Riolacci said to reporters. Even when permits are not required on federal land, we face difficulties getting approval from agencies. Riolacci said that the company continues to target the Middle East for its renewable energy development. He said that the conflict had not caused any disruptions to its gas customers.
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Gold gains on third day of optimism about US-Iran peace agreement
Gold prices rose on Thursday for a third straight session, supported by a weaker dollar. Hopes of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran eased fears over inflation. As of 0615 GMT spot gold was up by 0.4% to $4,707.52 an ounce. It had risen about 3% Wednesday, reaching its highest level since April 27. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery?rose by 0.5% to $4 716. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, predicted that the war between the U.S. and Iran would end quickly as Tehran considered an American peace proposal. According to sources this proposal would end the conflict formally while leaving key issues unresolved. The U.S. demands that Iran cease its nuclear program and reopen Strait of Hormuz. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade. He said that gold prices are rising today due to a "subdued" dollar and declining oil prices. The current ceasefire, though tentative, continues and there are growing hopes of a long-term, durable agreement between Washington, D.C., and Tehran. Gains are limited, but traders remain cautious about how fragile the pause is. Dollars hovered around a three-month low, which was hit during the previous session. This made bullion cheaper for holders of currencies other than dollars. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields have fallen by 0.6% this week. This has lowered the opportunity costs of gold. Brent crude oil has fallen by about 6% this week, as optimism grows about the possible end of the Middle East war. The rise in oil prices has pushed gold prices down by more than 10%. Increased crude oil prices can stoke the inflation and increase interest rates. Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation, but high interest rates can weigh down on this non-yielding investment. Investors are now awaiting the'monthly U.S. Employment Report on Friday to see if the U.S. Economy remains'resilient enough for the Federal Reserve to maintain its monetary policy. Spot silver increased 1%, to $78.09 an ounce. Platinum was down 0.1%, at $2,059.60. Palladium rose 0.6%, to $1,546.24.
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Mike Dolan: If the war in Iran ends, the ROI-Trapdoor will creak for dollars.
The U.S. Dollar has fallen to its pre-conflict levels due to renewed optimism about a possible ending to the Iran War. If it weren't for the U.S.-focussed artificial-intelligence boom, the greenback might be a clear casualty of ?any peace deal. The dollar exchange rate was one of few prices that rose on the onset of war, aside from the oil price itself. This happened primarily 'by default. Other major economies in Europe and Asia were considered more vulnerable to the energy crisis than America, which is oil-rich. At the margins, Gulf States and other countries seeking dollar liquid assets also played a role. The move was mostly a relative performance play. The gains were modest. In the first month of the war, the DXY Index against the currencies most traded rose by as much as 3 percent. It has now given it all back. The dollar's strength has been eroded by a tentative de-escalation, and a fragile ceasefire. The greenback's strength has been weakened by a hesitant de-escalation and a shaky ceasefire. The question of whether a trapdoor will open under the dollar if war ends and Strait?of Hormuz reopens has become a key issue for the global markets. In order to figure out what's going on, there are three main concerns. First, how quickly a normalization of oil prices would bring back Federal Reserve easing to the interest rate futures stripe while eliminating summer tightening biases in Europe and Asia. The relative rate shift is arguably cancelled out by the fact that the oil and war spikes have taken two Fed rate cuts from the horizon for this year. The twin threats of energy and rates have cast a dark shadow on European growth. However, the euro would be better off if they were removed together. It's a question as to how quickly inflation and expectations can be reduced to return central banks to their pre-war levels. Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump's nominee to the Fed Chair, may bring back U.S. ease-up talk as he takes over the hot seat. The U.S. stock exchange, economy, and labor market are not conducive to rate cuts. Warsh is likely to face stiff opposition from regional Fed bosses. The hawks in Europe have been winning the battle of the last few weeks, but the economies are still weaker and will be arguing against rate increases if the oil prices already start to fall. Sell Dollars in May? Second, the Beijing summit between Trump's and China's president Xi Jinping in this month - postponed due to the war – and whether or not it will revive pressure for a stronger?yuan and ease another friction point on a list of trade disputes that is already fraught. The dollar reached its lowest level in over three years against the offshore currency renminbi as the latest attempt to reach a peace agreement in Iran played out on Wednesday. The dollar has fallen over 2% this year against the yuan, compared to a DXY loss of only 0.2%. If Trump's presumption of a bias towards a weaker currency is to have any effect, it seems that the yuan channel will be the best vehicle. The third factor is often overlooked by the bears of the dollar: the Wall Street recovery, which has been fueled by the sharply improved U.S. profits forecasts, as well as the soaring AI investment spending. If capital flows are as important to the dollar's performance as interest rate gaps or trade, then switching back to U.S. stocks can be a powerful boost. The profit-growth predictions for S&P500 companies for 2026 are now as high as 23%, up from 15% at the start of the war. The Euro Zone Stoxx equivalents also rose, but only by three percentage points. This leaves 2026 profit growth estimates 10 points behind S&P 500. The forward price/earnings ratios of U.S. stock prices remain higher than those in Europe or historical averages. However, a new price surge and momentum can cover this as they have done for many years. A dollar trapdoor may well exist. It appears that the drop below it is shallower than first thought. The opinions expressed are those of Mike Dolan a columnist at. This column is great! Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast daily on Apple, Spotify or the app. Subscribe to the Morning Bid podcast and hear journalists discussing the latest news in finance and markets seven days a weeks.
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Lanxess reports muted earnings but expects a better second quarter
Lanxess reported on Thursday a'muted' quarterly core profit, which was? broadly?in line with the market expectations. However, it said that March saw a slight improvement as customers began to turn to European chemical manufacturers to avoid any supply risks. The German specialty chemicals company stated that "a persistently weak economy, geopolitical uncertainty and last year's divestments" characterized the first quarter of 2026. It said that cheaper raw materials and pressure from?Asia on prices in certain segments also drove down selling prices. Since March, we've seen a slight improvement in the momentum. Due to the Middle East conflict, many Asian competitors' supply chains have been disrupted. This has caused customers to return to European suppliers like Lanxess. The war has?roiled the global markets and driven oil prices up, while re-igniting fears over global inflation and economic growth. Lanxess announced?earnings?before?interest, taxes depreciation, and amortisation, (EBITDA), pre-exceptionals, of 94 millions euros ($110million) for the first quarter, a little above analysts' expectations of 92million?euros, according to a poll on Lanxess website. The Cologne-based firm said it was expecting a?improvement in the second quarter and aimed for EBITDA before exceptionals of between 130 million to 150 million euros. The company also announced its full-year forecast for 2026.
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Vigils planned across Australia for dead 5-year-old Indigenous girl
On Thursday, mourners will gather in Australia to hold vigils in memory of a five-year old Indigenous girl who was allegedly abducted and murdered. Her alleged murder shocked the country. The gatherings take place a week after authorities found the girl dead following a five day search that involved hundreds of volunteers as well as police. The death and disappearance of Kumanjayi Baby, the name given to her by Indigenous customs, has dominated headlines across the country. After the arrest of a suspect suspected of abducting and murdering the woman, violent clashes broke out in Alice Springs. 400 Indigenous people gathered to demand "payback," which is a traditional punishment that is mostly physical in Aboriginal societies. Since then, the?Alice Springs Community has been conducting "sorry-business," a period of mourning and cultural practices after a death. A vigil will be held by the girl's family in the Outback on Thursday night. Others?will also be held throughout the country to remember the girl. The organisers of the Vigil have asked participants to bring candles and wear pink, as it is the favourite colour of the girl. Kumanjayi 'Little Baby' disappeared from her home in the suburbs of Alice Springs, on the evening April 25. The search for her involved hundreds of people, who combed the dense bushland surrounding the town. It is a popular tourist destination in Australia's northern territory. Jefferson Lewis, 47, was charged with murdering her and two other crimes, which are not public for legal reasons. Reporting by Christine Chen, Sydney; Editing and proofreading by Thomas Derpinghaus
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Russell: Exports of refined fuels from Asia to the US plummet after the closure of Hormuz
The impact of the 'crisis' on the physical fuel markets has worsened. Prices for crude oil futures fluctuated in line with headlines about the conflict between the United States, and Iran. Brent contracts fell 7.8% to close at $101.27 per barrel on Wednesday, despite the fact that a sustained and full reopening of the 'Strait of Hormuz is still a long time away. The United States and Israel's February 28th attack on Iran has led to a reduction in the volume of refined products shipped throughout Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is the main energy-consuming region in the world and the destination of about 80% of the pre-war cargoes. In April, the combined export volume of these three fuel types was about 3 million barrels a day (bpd), below the average in the three months before the start the conflict. According to commodity analysts Kpler, jet fuel is the part of the barrel that has been most affected. Asia's fuel exports fell to 596,000 BPD in April from 1.54 Million BPD in the three-month period prior to the beginning of the war. The Kpler data for April was the lowest since 2017. It shows that flow levels are about one-third lower than pre-conflict. Most of Asia's jet fuel exports are destined for other Asian countries who import it, while smaller quantities go to Africa, Europe, and North America. India's jet fuel exports fell to 48,600 barrels per day (bpd) in April, from 141,000 bpd before the war, and China's to 135,000 from 308,000 bpd. According to Kpler, the United Arab Emirates shipped zero jet fuel during the month of April, compared to an average of 106,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the three months preceding the war. Singapore assessment prices reflect the shortage of jet fuel cargoes. The price of oil ended at $158.91 per barrel on Wednesday. This is up 70% from its close on February 27th, the day before Israel and the U.S. launched their aerial attack against Iran. SUPPLY SQUEEZE The price of gasoil, the building block for diesel, ended at $141.30 per barrel on Wednesday. This is up by 55% compared to the level before the war. Kpler reports that Asia's transport fuel exports dropped to a 9-year low in April of 2,22 million bpd, down from a 3.54 million average in the three month period before the start the the?Iran War. Exports from Japan fell to 32,600 BPD in April, from 148,600 BPD before the conflict. South Korea's dropped from 507,000 to?451,000 BPD, India's to 371,000 from 494,000, and China's to 22,000 from 126 300. The same is true for gasoline. Asia's exports fell to 1,59 million bpd from an average of 2,28 million bpd during the three months before the Iran War. South Korea's shipments fell to 181,300 bpd. This is down from the pre-war level of 377,000. China's shipments dropped to 47,000 from 116,000. Data shows how quickly refiners in Asia are struggling to secure enough crude oil to keep refineries running. As commercial and strategic stocks are depleted, the longer the Strait of Hormuz is closed to most vessels the greater the likelihood that crude shortages will be in Asia. You like this column? Open Interest (ROI) is your new essential source of global financial commentary. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, X. These are the views of the columnist, an author for.
Mets sweep weather-interrupted Colorado series
The weather changed the plans for Thursday's off-day between the New York Mets & Colorado Rockies.
The teams' game on Tuesday was postponed by rain, and the snowstorm which dropped 5.8 inches of snow pushed the first pitch back several hours on the following day. The Mets will play a makeup game against the Rockies on Thursday afternoon.
Christian Scott (0-0) will face Colorado's lefty Jose Quintana (1-2, 4.07). The Colorado lefty Jose Quintana will face a pitcher with a 4.26 ERA.
The Mets have won two of their nine games on the road and are currently 4-1 after winning the first two.
Scott will be starting against the Rockies again for the second time of his career. On July 13, 2024 he played in a no-decision game, where he gave up three runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. In his two previous starts, he has failed to complete five innings.
New York could complete its first sweep of the season Thursday afternoon. The Mets started the season with seven wins in their first eleven games. They then went on to lose 12 consecutive games and 17 out of 20.
Last weekend, they played a series with the Los Angeles Angels before heading to Denver where they won despite wintry conditions.
Mark Vientos has been a catalyst for the recent success of?New York. He was a slumper during the 12-game losing run, but has recovered to produce again.
Vientos has six RBIs and two home runs in four games played so far this month.
Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager, said: "We've been there." "We haven’t seen him in a long time, but when he's hot, man, that guy can carry a whole team."
The Rockies have another player on the rise. Mickey Moniak was the Philadelphia?Phillies' No. Mickey Moniak, the No. He had a career high of 24 home runs hit in 2025, and he is on track to surpass that number this season.
Moniak leads the Rockies with 11?homers and 21 RBIs. He has also had four multi-homer games this year. He had a single on Wednesday night, extending his hitting streak to 18, which is the longest in his career.
TJ Rumfield, a teammate, said: "I see an entire baseball player." "I see a baseball player with a lot of brains. I see someone who knows exactly what he is doing in the box. He looks relaxed all the time.
It's important for younger players to learn how calm and composed he is when he's in the box, as well as how he handles pitches. This is one of the best hitters the league has. I try to "pick up" on what he is doing.
Quintana just finished his longest outing of the season. He threw six-innings of one-run baseball in a no decision against the Atlanta Braves. He has a 3.86 ERA and a 3-3 record in six starts against the Mets.
Field Level Media
(source: Reuters)