Western Europe

Western governments are re-arming, but may be spending billions on the wrong arsenals. Drones and algorithms are just as important as tanks and missiles. Ukraine could be in a good position to show what the West needs today. Last week, at the NATO summit held in Ankara (Turkey),?U.S. The President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others noted that Ukraine was able to use drone technology to strike Russian energy infrastructure. They called this an "escalation," which they believed could lead to the resolution of the conflict. The European Union is looking to rearm itself, due to the...

Tuesday, oil prices rose and stocks fell in Asian trading after Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would re-impose its blockade of Iranian ships in the Gulf and charge a 20% surcharge on all cargo crossing Strait of Hormuz. After a volatile session, MSCI’s broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan fell 1.7%. The biggest declines were in South Korea and Taiwan, where shares at their lowest points exceeded 3%. Japan's Nikkei fell by 0.8% while S&P500 e-minis futures declined by 0.3%. The CSI 300, the benchmark for Chinese stocks, fell 0.4% less than the regional index after Tuesday's export and...

The price of oil rose 2% to its highest level in four weeks on Tuesday as the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade of?Iran and the U.S. and Iran intensified their attacks in the Strait of?Hormuz. This increased uncertainty over?energy flow. Brent crude futures rose $1.68 or 2% to $84.98 a barrel at 0051 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude gained $1.65 or 2.1% to $79.79 a barrel. Brent crude gained 9.6% during the previous session. This was its largest daily gain since May 2019. The oil prices have reached their highest level since June 17, when the two countries signed...

The oil prices soared?on?Monday as Iran increased its strikes against?Gulf States following US attacks, threatening energy?shipments through the Strait?of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose $2.34 or 3.08% to $78.35 at 2311 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.21 or 3.09% to $73.62 a barrel. The U.S. and Iran launched new strikes against each other over the weekend. This is the latest in a series of counter-attacks and attacks on shipping through the Strait. U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz was open for commercial?traffic. Iran had earlier declared that it had closed the Strait...

China said on Friday that it would increase cooperation with Namibia, particularly in the energy, agriculture, infrastructure and minerals sectors. This was during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Namibian president Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, which took place?in Beijing. Nandi-Ndaitwah is on a 7-day trip to China, since Sunday. He's seeking investment from China, the second-largest country in the world and the top lender. The goal of the trip is to implement the election promises to create jobs and diversify Namibia's economy. "In Namibia we affirm an unwavering commitment (to) this longstanding friendship" between Namibia and China, said Nandi Ndaitwah....

The International Energy Agency said on Friday that the recent escalation of hostilities between the U.S., Iran, and other countries could change its forecast of an oil surplus next year. Global supply increased in June after the Strait of Hormuz was reopened, but it still lagged behind pre-war levels. Last month, global oil markets were given some relief as a peace deal between the U.S.A. and Iran allowed the opening of Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this strait had effectively cut off up to 14 million barrels of crude per day during the height of the biggest oil supply...

Government data released on Thursday shows that oil product inventories in Singapore, Asia’s main trading hub, have barely changed from week to week. This is because declines in light distillates and residual fuels offset gains in middle distillates. Enterprise Singapore data shows that total onshore oil product stocks were hovering at 40.33 million barrels for the week ending July 8 compared to 40.45 millions barrels last week. Markets are anticipating an increase in inventories if exports to regions like Northeast Asia continue to rise, after a recovery of refining operations these past two months. China's outflows will also increase after...

Oil prices rose on Thursday, after the U.S. launched new?strikes in Iran. This dented hopes of an end to the Iran war, and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint that supplies one-fifth of the world's oil supply before the war. Brent crude futures were up 78 cents or 1% at $78.8 per barrel as of 0054 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures rose 74 cents or 1.01% to $74.26 per barrel by 0054 GMT. WTI and Brent crude prices rose by more than $1 in the post-settlement trading on Wednesday,...

Oil prices rose by more than 5% Wednesday, while global stock and bond markets fell as investors fled risky assets after U.S. president Donald?Trump declared that the Gulf Conflict was over following the signing of a memorandum with Iran. Trump said that he didn't want to engage Tehran. He was speaking in Ankara, Turkey, ahead of the NATO summit. He said that dealing with Iran was a waste. After the U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged attacks in Gulf, market sentiment was already fragile. Brent crude futures jumped 5% to $78 per barrel, the biggest gain in a single day since...

Oil prices jumped by over 3% Wednesday, bond prices fell as U.S. sanctions against Iranian crude oil?threatened a ceasefire. Stocks wobbled due to concerns that the record AI rally might be losing its buyers. Brent crude futures rose 3.3% to $76.54 per barrel, the highest gain in a single day since May. Although this was far below the peak of $120 at the height of fighting, it was still enough to introduce a new inflation risk in the bond market. Jason Wong is a senior strategist with BNZ Wellington. "Obviously, the market does not like these attacks... But it's still...

Ankur Banerjee gives us a look at what the European and global markets will be like today. And then, 'like that' we are back to looking at shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. A new round of tit for tit attacks has upended the tenuous U.S. - Iran ceasefire. This has clouded the long-term prospects of peace in the Middle East. Oil prices jumped 2% after investors worried about a slow recovery in Middle East supply. The U.S. has reimposed sanctions on Iran's crude oil sales, adding to the worries. Since the conflict began at the end of Feburary,...

The price of oil rose by nearly 2% after the U.S. military conducted?airstrikes on Iran and reimposed crude sales sanctions. This sparked fears that their fragile truce could unravel, and Middle East supplies might be disrupted once again. U.S. Central Command announced on Tuesday that the U.S. airstrikes came in response to Iranian attacks against three commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway used to transport Middle Eastern oil shipments into wider markets. Brent crude futures rose $1.38 or 1.9% to $75.54 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas intermediate crude climbed...

Gold prices dropped nearly 3% Monday after U.S. president Donald 'Trump' said he would reinstate a naval blockade against Iran. This would boost oil markets and reignite inflation fears, as well as raise the prospect of longer-term higher U.S. rates. By 10:38 am EDT (1438 GMT), spot gold had fallen 2.8%, to $4.005.59 an ounce. This was the lowest price since July 1. Prices fell for a second consecutive session. U.S. Gold Futures fell 2.4% to $4013.40. The Middle East conflict is causing oil prices to rise, and the Federal Reserve could tighten policy. This is bad for gold and...

Gold prices dropped more than 1% on Sunday as fresh strikes in the Middle East sparked inflation fears, raising the prospect of longer-term interest rates in the United States. By 9:08 am EDT (1304 GMT), spot gold had fallen 1.4%, to $4.064.02 an ounce. Prices fell for a second consecutive session. U.S. Gold Futures fell 1% to $4 071,80. "I'm not bullish on gold for the short term." The Middle East conflict is causing oil prices to rise, and the Federal Reserve could tighten policy. This is bad for assets that yield nothing, like gold", said?Fawad Rasaqzada at Forex.com. He...

Gold prices fell for a second session in a row on Monday, as renewed?hostilities? in the Middle East fueled inflationary fears and raised expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high for longer. By 1100 GMT, spot gold had fallen 1.4%, to $4.061.64, while U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery were down by 1.1%, to $4.069.60. U.S. forces and Iranian drones have exchanged heavy attacks, including missiles and drones. Tehran has also hinted at the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. On hearing the news, oil prices rose by over 3%. "Renewed hostilities (in the Gulf) rekindle...

De 'Beers announced on Monday that it will pause production at its Venetia Mine in South Africa for a period of two years. This is part of an overall effort to streamline operations and reduce costs in order to cope with the continued weakness in rough diamond trading. Anglo American is the majority owner of the diamond producer. The company said that the move would delay and reduce some expenditures on an underground mine project, but maintain investment in infrastructure for a higher level of production when the market conditions improve. Venetia is South Africa's biggest diamond mine in terms...

Gold prices fell for a second session in a row on Monday, as renewed 'hostilities' in the Middle East fueled inflationary fears and raised expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high for longer. Spot gold fell 1.2% at $4,072.49 an ounce as of 0847 GMT. U.S. Gold futures for August were down 0.8% at $4,081.30. U.S. forces and 'Iranian forces have exchanged heavy drone and missile assaults. Tehran has targeted U.S. facilities in states on the other side of the 'Gulf, and hinted at the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. On hearing the news, oil...

Gold was down on Friday and set to lose a 'weekly loss' as concerns about the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy were fueled by rising crude oil prices and tensions between Iran and the United States. By 1106 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.4% to $4105.97 an ounce, a decline of about 1.6% over the past week. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 0.6% to $4114.80 an ounce. Han Tan, Bybit's chief market analyst, said that spot prices "may again test $4,000 per ounce as a psychological support level should tensions escalate and oil prices extend their recovery." The...

Emirates Global Aluminium announced on Friday that its Al Taweelah refinery in Abu Dhabi had restarted the production of feedstock for aluminum smelting. The restart has raised expectations of a faster than expected recovery in aluminium production, after disruptions caused by war with Iran. It also added pressure on benchmark prices for aluminum at the London Metal Exchange. The contract was last down 1.5%, at $3.152 per metric ton. In early July, EGA announced that it would restore production at the Al Taweelah Complex earlier than expected, although hot metal production could take up to one year to return to...

Gold?edged down on Friday - and was on course for a 'weekly drop, on fears that escalating U.S. - Iran tensions would fuel inflation. This could keep the Federal Reserve hawkish in its monetary policy. Gold spot fell by 0.2%, to $4.113.02 an ounce at 0735 GMT. It was on track for a weekly drop of 1.5%. U.S. Gold Futures for August?delivery fell 0.4% to $4121.90. Tim Waterer is the chief analyst at KCM Trade. He said that gold was in consolidation mode after yesterday's gains. Traders were hesitant to commit to further upward movement due to the uncertainty surrounding...

Gold prices rose on Friday as the dollar weakened, but were on course for a weekly decline on fears that the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran could fuel inflation. This would keep the U.S. Federal Reserve in a hawkish policy direction. As of 0303 GMT spot gold was up by 0.2%, at $4,128,92 per ounce. It is heading for a weekly decline of over 1%. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery were unchanged at $4,139.50. Dollars were at their lowest level in a week, which made greenbacks priced bullion more accessible to holders of other currencies. Tim Waterer...

The Iran War has caused a supply shock that is reviving the old Western aluminum smelters. Magnitude 7 Metals in the U.S. is reactivating its New Madrid smelter located in Missouri. Over the Atlantic, Norwegian producer Hydro announced the partial restart of the Slovalco joint-venture smelter. The two plants were idled due to low aluminum prices and a spike in energy prices that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Washington and Brussels are both desperate to reduce their reliance on an import of a metal used in a wide range of industries. The return of these zombies smelters will not...

Gold prices fell more than 1% after the?U.S. Donald Trump declared that the interim peace agreement with Iran is "over", which sent oil prices soaring and revived fears of inflation. Gold spot fell by 1.4% at 1027 GMT to $4,049.92 an ounce, its lowest price since July 2. U.S. gold futures for August delivered fell 2.3% to $4.059.80/oz. Oil prices rose by more than 6% following a statement from?Trump that the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Iran in June to end their four month conflict was "over", and that he did not want to engage Tehran. UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo...

India's import restrictions have caused shortages on the world's largest market for precious metals, driving premiums up to their highest levels in six months despite a weaker than usual demand. India's lower imports, which meet more than 80% its silver demand by purchasing it overseas, could have a negative impact on the global price of silver, as well as help narrow its trade deficit and reduce pressure on its currency, the rupee. Chirag Thakkar, the chief executive officer of Amrapali Group Gujarat - a major silver importer - said that "Silver Imports are almost at a standstill, creating a severe...