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Anna Szymanski is the Editor-in Charge of Open Interest. On?Monday, oil prices fell and global stocks rose after the United States reached a preliminary agreement with Iran. After more than three months of disruption, the memorandum of agreement should allow the?Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Donald Trump, the U.S. president and Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani prime minister announced that a deal was struck late Sunday night. The agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, leaves many questions unanswered. This may mean that market celebrations are premature. Below, I will go into more detail. Listen to the...

Are you looking for inspiration? Weekend 'Reads' will be published every Friday to provide an overview of what the Open Interest team have been watching, reading and listening to. This week the team is recommending a range of articles, from analyses of the 'World Cup to breakdowns of the 'energy shock. You're reading... MIKE Dolan, ROI Finance & Markets columnist: Gene Frieda, at the think tank Bruegel, considers if the latest energy crisis may require temporary fiscal-monetary cooperation in the U.S. and Europe - which could involve central banks purchasing debt or anchoring borrowing rates. RON BOUSSO is the ROI...

Oil fell and global stocks rose on Friday, as fresh 'hopes' of a deal between Iran and the U.S. ignited a rally. Meanwhile, investors awaited Elon Musk’s SpaceX's highly anticipated Wall Street debut. European stocks rose more than 1.5% early in trading after strong gains in Asia. However, Wall Street futures indicated a subdued and generally flat opening. Oil futures fell by about 2.5% when U.S. president Donald Trump announced that a peace agreement could be signed this weekend. Meanwhile, Tehran claimed it had not yet made a decision. Trump has said repeatedly since mid-March that a deal to end...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Oil is back in the spotlight and equity markets are struggling to find a footing after the selloff this week triggered by new?blows against the ceasefire?in?the Middle East. U.S. has?launched a new strike against multiple targets within Iran. President Donald Trump has promised even more attacks in the event of no peace agreement. Brent crude rose by 1.7% to $94.64 on Friday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced that it had targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain and threatened?to...

What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets It's unnerving that the relapse of U.S. Tech stocks on Tuesday occurred as oil prices dropped sharply in the same session. This shows how stock market anxiety extends "well beyond" the energy story. The crude?prices on Wednesday were volatile after the U.S. and?Iran exchanged missile strikes overnight, the most alarming direct interaction between the two sides since the fragile ceasefire was established. Below, I will go into more detail. Check out my most recent column about why the stock exchange is becoming more...

Stock market gains are not the real economy but they offer more than just a warm fuzzy feeling for many families. Stock-based compensation for workers may be a factor that helps bind them'more closely' The U.S. economy has remained stable despite a turbulent post-pandemic period of high inflation, rising interest rates and political and trade uncertainty. Many theories have been put forward, ranging from robust corporate and household finances to tax "cuts" and a three-year old AI investment boom. One of the most popular is that the stock market's resilience has boosted the so-called "wealth effect" and kept the consumption...

Ankur Banerjee gives a look at what the markets will be like tomorrow in Europe and the world. Markets are nervous following the latest escalation of Middle East tensions, but investors have hope that the new 'U.S. The 'attacks on Iran after an Apache helicopter was 'downed near the Strait of Hormuz won't derail a peace deal that will end the war. It may be a wishful thought, as the U.S. army has said that it targeted Iranian air defences, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near this key waterway to respond to attacks against U.S. forces and commercial...

Investors rushed to purchase the latest dips in tech stocks on Tuesday, while oil prices fell after Israel and Iran agreed to?halt their attacks against each other for the time being. In Europe, ASML and Infineon led the way with a 0.7% rise in the 'STOXX 600. U.S. Stock Futures rose between 0.5% and 0.8% as Meta, Eli Lilly, Goldman Sachs and other shares grew in pre-market trade. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, filed a confidential U.S. IPO on Monday, just days before SpaceX made its highly anticipated debut in the market this week. Wall Street CEOs and bankers are...

Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Asian investors, whether very brave or foolish, have returned to buying the dips on Tuesday, and most regional indexes are rebounding. News that Iran and Israel had agreed to halt their attacks for the foreseeable future helped lift oil prices. South Korea's Kospi has gained almost 5% after losing 8% on Monday. It is still up an insignificant 83% this year. The bull market has attracted more retail investors, who borrow to buy, and are therefore vulnerable to margin calls. Recent Bank of Korea...

Oil prices rose by more than $2 per barrel on Monday, after Israel launched new strikes against Lebanon on Sunday despite an agreement between the two nations. This shattered hopes of a ceasefire and the restart of crude flow through the Strait of Hormuz. As of 0013 GMT U.S. crude oil futures were up by $2.10 or 2.32% at $92.64 per barrel, while Brent crude rose by $2.33 or 2.5% to $95.42 per barrel. This erased a majority of Friday's losses, when prices fell on the hope of a deescalation of the U.S. - Iran conflict. The latest strikes seemed...

Oil prices dropped on Friday, as traders grew more confident that a renewed conflict between the U.S.A. and Iran is less likely. Brent crude futures fell $2.08 or 2.18% to $92.95 per barrel at 11:37 CST . Brent closed the previous session 2.84% down. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude was $89.93 per barrel, down $3.11 or 3.34% after a loss of 3.1% on Thursday. Phil Flynn is a senior analyst with Price Futures Group. He said that the market does not see an escalation of tensions between the parties. Even though we haven't reached a deal, the market seems to...

The Nigerian Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is owned by Dangote Group, has increased its crude processing capacity to 700,000 barrels a day during a test conducted by the process licensors. This exceeds the nameplate capacity, 650,000 bpd, and marks a significant milestone in operations, according to a statement released on Thursday. Devakumar?Edwin, vice-president for oil and?gas at Dangote Industries said that the ramp-up is part of a larger plan to expand the capacity to 1.4 million bpd in 30 months. This level could make the facility among the largest globally. The refinery owned by billionaire Aliko. Dangote began fuel production...

On Monday, gold prices reached a near-week-high as a tentative peace deal between the?U.S. Oil prices fell as a result of the Iran deal, which also eased concerns about a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0857 GMT spot gold was up 2.7% at $4,334.48 an ounce. This is its highest price since June 9. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery climbed 2.8%, to $4355.30. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached an agreement to end the war and reopen Strait of Hormuz. This preliminary pact sent oil prices down but left the fate...

Gold rose by more than 2% on Monday, after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. By 0536 GMT the spot gold price had risen 2.5%, to $4,323.29 an ounce, its highest since June 9, and extended gains for a 3rd straight session. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose?2.5% at $4,343.80. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on a framework for ending their war, stopping the U.S.'s blockade...

Gold prices rose by more than 2% after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. Gold spot rose 2.5%, to $4,322.87 an ounce, by 0312 GMT. This was its highest level since the 9th of June and extended gains for a 3rd straight session. U.S. Gold Futures for August?delivery increased 2.5% to $4344.80. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on a framework for ending?their conflict, stopping the U.S.-led blockade...

Singapore is establishing an over-the counter gold clearing system and introducing central bank gold vaulting services. This comes as the city state looks to establish itself as a gold trading hub. Gan Kim Yong, the Deputy Prime Minister, told the Asia-Pacific Precious Metals conference on Monday that the Singapore Exchange will?establish a gold clearing system over-the-counter for Loco Singapore or physical gold in Singapore by the end this year. He said that six banks will be clearing members: DBS, Deutsche Bank ICBC Standard Bank J.P. Morgan OCBC, UOB. Gan stated that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will offer central...

Gold prices rose by more than 1% on Monday after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced they had reached an agreement to end their conflict. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. As of 0010 GMT spot gold rose 1.8% to $4,297.42 an ounce. This is its highest level since the 9th of June. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 1.9% to $4,318.10. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement?on the framework of a peace deal to end their conflict, stop?the U.S. Blockade of Iran, and...

According to a notice received by?on Saturday, Norsk Hydro declared a second case of force majeure for?aluminum sales from Qatar. This was after the Qatalum joint-venture?had unexpectedly terminated its marketing agreement with Norsk Hydro. Hydro, which holds a?50%?share in the Qatalum project, which produces 648,000 metric tonnes per year, along with Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Co, also known as Qamco issued a force majeure order in early March, after the Middle East war interrupted the gas supply to the plant and Qatalum began a shutdown. The?force majeure clause - which exempts parties from any liability in the event of a failure...

Gold prices fell on Friday, and were "on track" to make a loss for the week. This was due to concerns about inflation and possible interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0610 GMT the spot gold price was down by 0.8%, at $4,182.47 an ounce. This was a loss of 3.4% for the week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 2.2% to 4,203.60. Gold dropped to a six-month low before closing at $4,219.69 on Thursday, after U.S. president Donald Trump cancelled planned military strikes?on Iran, and announced an imminent peace agreement. Edward Meir is an...

Gold prices fell on Friday, and were "on track" to make a loss for the week. This was due to concerns about inflation and possible interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0442 GMT spot gold was down by 0.5%, at $4,193.58 an ounce. This was set to be a loss of 3.1% for the week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 2.5% to $ 4,215.30. Gold dropped to a more-than-six month low on Thursday, before closing at $4,219.69 as U.S. president Donald Trump canceled planned military strikes?on Iran, and signalled a forthcoming peace deal. Edward...

Gold prices fell on Friday, and were on track to lose a significant amount of money for the week. This was due to concerns about inflation and possible interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0252 GMT the spot gold price was down 0.5%, at $4,191.17 an ounce. This was a loss of 3.2% for the week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose 2.4% to $ 4,212.70. Gold fell to a six-month low before closing at $4,219.69 on Thursday, after U.S. president Donald?Trump cancelled planned military strikes against Iran and announced an imminent peace agreement. Edward...

Investors covered their short positions on Thursday and gold prices rose, rebounding from the?a six-month low. However, concerns about higher inflation rates in the U.S. and rising interest rates have limited gains. Gold spot rose 0.6%, to $4.097.01 an ounce at 836 GMT. It had fallen earlier in the session to its lowest level since November 21, U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery were down 0.4% to $4,118. Ross Norman, an independent analyst, said that gold is "clearly" oversold right now. It remains to be determined whether or not this is a real recovery of the metal as such or...

Investors?bought? the metal at a bargain price on Thursday as they awaited a crucial U.S. Inflation Report that could influence Federal Reserve policy. Gold spot rose 0.7% by 0741 GMT to $4,103.74 an ounce, after having fallen as low as $4,022.09 per ounce on November 21, earlier in the day. U.S. gold futures for August were down 0.2% to $4,125.10. Matt Simpson, senior analyst at StoneX, said: "With prices hurtling toward $4,000, there's an obvious level of support which could encourage bears to make a quick profit, or tempt battered bulls off the sidelines." The U.S. Dollar Index failed to...

The government is seeking input from the industry regarding a new steel tariff regime. This comes after the users of metals warned that the scheme would be very costly for their businesses. As other countries in the European Union and Britain, they are concerned about the "dumping" high subsidised steel from countries like China. In March, Britain proposed a reduction in its tariff-free allowance for imported steel, and a doubling of the tariff on imports that exceeded this allowance. This new trade measure, which is due to take effect on July 1, was warmly welcomed by British steel producers. The...