Commodities
Morgan Stanley lifts India steel stocks outlook on price strength
Indian steel equities seen extending gains as hot-rolled coil prices rise 27% from December lows, while Morgan Stanley flags near-term monsoon risks.
Global shipping faces 2026 demand slump, elevated rates amid chokepoint risks
US container volumes forecast to drop 4.2% YoY as tariff shifts reshape trade flows, while Red Sea and Panama Canal disruptions sustain freight rate premiums.
Tether’s $120 million Uruguay bitcoin mining venture collapses
Dispute with state utility UTE over power supply terms led to the shutdown of two mining sites valued at $120 million. Tether’s local unit Microfin settled debts after power was cut in July 2025.
Data centres seen consuming silver at scale of major miner’s output
World Silver Survey 2026 projects data centre demand to exceed 42 million ounces annually by 2027, reshaping industrial consumption patterns. Silver price near eight-week high as yields ease.
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.
Nordic Iron’s Blötberget project NPV rises to $325m on drilling results
Updated mineral resource estimate boosts Blötberget and Väsmanfältet deposits, lifting net present value and extending mine life to 23 years. Pre-feasibility study published as DFS work begins.
Switzerland secures gas supply option via France-Italy pipeline
Bund and gas industry arrange fallback gas access for winter 2026-27. Option covers about 10% of projected winter demand. Costs capped at low single-digit millions, shared across all gas users.
Gold allocation: Study recommends up to 20% in diversified portfolios
Research suggests a 9% gold and 11% silver allocation for Swiss investors, rising to 25-30% after tax, with disciplined rebalancing to manage volatility.
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.
Gold prices rise above $4,580 on technical breakout; targets $4,626
Technical analysis suggests gold could test $4,626 after breaking above key resistance levels, with macro factors including lower yields and geopolitical risks supporting gains.
Wheat buyers shift sourcing as Black Sea attacks tighten supply
Chicago futures surge 17% since July as Asian buyers seek alternatives to Black Sea wheat disrupted by Ukrainian port strikes. Egypt and Indonesia among nations scrambling to secure cargoes.
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.
North Dakota oilfield activity rises as crude prices climb toward $80
Rig count increases to 33 in August from 27 in July as Bakken crude trades at a $4.39 premium. Operators cite sustained price strength and Middle East supply risks as drivers.
Südkorea testet Arktis-Route nach Europa trotz EU-Sanktionsrisiko
Erste Containerschiff-Pilotfahrt durch Russlands Nordostpassage soll Fahrzeit um bis zu 35% verkürzen, doch westliche Partner warnen vor Kooperation mit Moskau.
Swiss nuclear plant costs estimated at $14-43 bln in new study
A report by Swiss Academies of Sciences estimates construction costs for a new nuclear reactor between 14 billion and 43 billion francs, factoring in delays and financing risks. State support likely required.
ASP Isotopes outlines commercialization roadmap at Emerging Growth Conference
CEO Paul Mann details multi-phase expansion plans for helium, LNG, and medical isotopes, targeting $300 million EBITDA by 2031. Stock has fallen 73% from 52-week high.
U.S. Treasury yields surge in 2026 as bond ETFs face steep losses
Long-dated Treasury yields hit multi-year highs in August 2026 amid fiscal deterioration and inflation persistence, pressuring bond ETFs like TLT and AGG into deep oversold territory.
Diesel prices surge to $170/bbl as refining bottlenecks expose hidden energy shock
Analysts warn Brent’s $91/bbl price masks severe diesel shortages, with European diesel trading near record spreads and refinery constraints distorting energy markets.
China semiconductor equipment imports rise 9% in July, led by Shanghai
July marked the first year-over-year increase in 2026 as logic chip demand drove a 9% rise in imports, with lithography and assembly equipment leading gains. Barclays forecasts further acceleration in H2.
Sugar futures surge to over one-year highs on supply tightness
Raw sugar prices hit 17.99 cents per pound, while white sugar reached $564.40 per ton amid concerns over El Nino and India’s potential import shift. Brazil’s output forecast also weighs on market.
SQM posts record Q2 2026 profit as lithium rebound boosts revenue to $2.47bn
Net income surged 646% year-over-year to $660 million as lithium prices and volumes soared, while adjusted EBITDA margin reached 53%.
Leroy Seafood lifts wild-catch outlook despite Q2 earnings dip
Norway-based seafood producer raises full-year EBIT guidance for wild-catch segment to NOK 400-450 million on higher volumes and pricing, offsetting a 26% drop in Q2 operational EBIT.