Geopolitics

Swiss equities edge higher as franc weakens; new price targets set
SMI futures rise 0.16% ahead of session; analyst revisions span Allreal, DKSH, Emmi and Sika. Swiss franc extends losses against dollar and euro as oil holds above $93.

FTSE 100 edges higher as oil falls, Iran tensions ease tech-led losses
UK benchmark reverses early declines after Brent crude drops over 1% and geopolitical jitters fade. Gainers led by energy and consumer staples as global equities drift lower.

US stocks mixed as oil dips, SMI extends losses; ABB falls, Richemont rises
U.S. benchmarks diverge with Dow up 0.1%, S&P 500 down 0.3% and Nasdaq 100 down 0.6% as Brent crude drops 1.1% to $93.10. Swiss SMI falls 0.47% with ABB leading decliners and Richemont among top gainers.

Gold tests double top as bearish momentum builds amid U.S. Treasury actions
Futures briefly topped $4,738 an ounce before pulling back as sanctions announcement looms; technical resistance and Treasury bond-buying program weigh on outlook.

European stocks mixed as Iran sanctions, Nvidia loom over week
Euro Stoxx 50 slipped 0.22% as traders awaited U.S. sanctions on Iran, Nvidia earnings and Jackson Hole policy signals. FTSE 100 rose 0.35% on metal gains; SMI flat near 14,447.

Industrial metals outlook: Copper, aluminum and steel forecasts through 2026
J.P. Morgan projects copper at $14,800/mt by Q4 2025, while aluminum targets $3,800/mt in Q3 2026 amid Middle East supply risks. Steel prices diverge by region due to tariffs and China’s property slump.

Six EU countries push for September talks on taxing oil firms' windfall profits
Germany, Spain, Italy and three others urge EU finance ministers to address surging energy costs with a targeted windfall tax framework ahead of September meeting in Dublin.

Swiss market falls as Roche, Novartis weigh; Nestlé, Holcim rise
SMI slips 0.15% as pharma majors drag; Nestlé gains 0.5% while biotech stocks retreat. Brent oil drops 1.5% to $92.94 amid geopolitical jitters.

U.S. to unveil sweeping sanctions on Iran as tensions escalate
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns of a 'global pariah' designation for allies of Tehran. Iranian official vows oil exports will halt if economic pressure persists.

U.S. Treasury announces sweeping sanctions against Iran amid oil export threat
Washington prepares 'economic D-Day' targeting Tehran's financial networks, as Iran vows to halt all oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran claims discovery of 7.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
New field in Fars province holds over 212 billion cubic meters of gas, with 5.7 trillion cubic feet deemed recoverable. Oil minister cites 'sweet' gas quality to reduce costs.

Iran warns U.S. of economic retaliation amid escalating sanctions
Tehran cautions Washington over potential blowback from stricter trade restrictions, as Trump administration prepares to unveil sweeping measures. Iranian officials vow reciprocal measures against regional oil exporters.

U.S., Iran escalate rhetoric as new sanctions set for Monday rollout
Washington and Tehran exchange threats ahead of Washington’s announcement of sweeping new economic penalties on Iran, while oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain near halt.

German DAX falls below 26,000 points amid energy and rate pressures
The German blue-chip index slipped 0.65% to 25,921 points, extending losses as rising oil prices and bond yields weighed on sentiment. The Euro Stoxx 50 and MDax also declined.

Swiss gasoline prices rise above 2 francs per liter for first time since 2022
Average price for 95-octane gasoline reaches 2.02 francs per liter, driven by Middle East tensions, reduced refinery capacity and Rhine transport disruptions. Diesel climbs to 2.27 francs.

Euronext wheat hits four-week high as Black Sea disruptions curb exports
Benchmark wheat prices surged 1.8% to €241 per metric ton on Euronext amid escalating war-related shipping disruptions in the Black Sea, redirecting demand to Western Europe.

Gold rises as Trump escalates economic pressure on Iran
U.S. sanctions threat against Iran lifts gold, oil prices; Fed rate-hike odds remain low ahead of Jackson Hole. Analysis flags technical resistance and profit-taking risks.

China warns U.S. against Iran sanctions escalation after Trump threat
Beijing cautions Washington that further sanctions on Tehran would undermine diplomatic solutions, as Trump threatens a 'trade war' over Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. debt tops $40 trillion as Fed minutes, Iran tensions lift markets
Fed minutes show dissent on rates as U.S. debt surpasses $40 trillion; Brent crude rises on geopolitical risks while Walmart's ad unit growth supports retail shares.

FTSE 100 edges lower as Middle East tensions lift oil prices
London’s blue-chip index slipped 0.03% as Brent crude surged 2.4% amid U.S.-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. Anglo American and JD Sports led sector declines.

Oil prices hold near multi-week highs on Middle East supply risks
Brent and WTI futures rise modestly as geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten crude flows. Market watchers see limited downside amid tight supply dynamics.

Global bond yields surge to multi-decade highs on US turmoil
US long-term borrowing costs hit 2007 highs, dragging G7 yields higher amid Iran war, inflation fears and political uncertainty. Central bank responses remain uncertain.

Swiss SMI rises 0.21% as oil climbs fourth day; Geberit, Implenia surge on earnings
Geberit surged 8% after beating half-year expectations, while Implenia jumped 9% on strong growth outlook. Brent crude rose 0.7% to $91.61 as Iran conflict persists; BKW and Straumann fell 4.5%.

Euro zone bond yields surge to two-decade highs amid debt concerns
German 10-year yield hits 15-year peak as France and Italy follow; ECB tightening bets rise to 45 bps. Oil climbs above $92 a barrel on geopolitical risks.

