Commodities
Gold rallies as sticky inflation keeps pressure on long-dated Treasuries
PCE data reinforces expectations for prolonged Fed caution, while Treasury buybacks ease long-end yields temporarily. Analyst warns of renewed pressure on the long end.
Gold hits three-month high on trade tensions and Treasury bond buybacks
U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and expanded Treasury bond buybacks underpinned gold prices, while geopolitical risks and Middle East developments added support. Futures and spot prices retreated slightly in early trading.
Baltic dry index climbs for fifth day on vessel gains, typhoon boost
Dry bulk freight rates rise 4.4% as capesize, panamax and supramax segments all advance, with iron ore shipping disrupted by Typhoon Narra.
Trump signs proclamation to ease U.S. beef prices with expanded import quotas
U.S. president authorizes 300,000-ton increase in tariff-free lean beef imports as cattle supply hits 75-year low amid drought and wildfires. Measure faces opposition from domestic livestock groups.
Woodside posts 159% surge in H1 free cash flow as LNG projects advance
Underlying profit hits $1.3 bln as Scarborough nears completion and Trion drilling begins, while structural cost cuts target $350 mln annually from 2028.
Gold’s near-term outlook hinges on $4,577-$4,583 support cluster
Technical analysis flags the $4,577-$4,583 area as a critical pivot for gold’s short-term direction after a pullback from record highs. The analysis projects key resistance and support levels through late August.
Strait of Hormuz traffic falls to multi-week lows amid Iran-Oman corridor talks
Vessel transits through the key oil chokepoint dropped to five ships on Tuesday, down sharply from recent averages, as Tehran and Muscat weigh a temporary corridor. China remains the top destination for Hormuz-bound crude.
Woodside posts 7% rise in H1 profit on higher oil prices
Underlying profit reached $1.33 billion as revenue climbed 14% to $7.45 billion, driven by stronger oil prices despite lower production. Interim dividend increased to 57 cents per share.
NOMAD advances Vermont long-duration energy storage project to Phase 3
U.S. DOE-backed initiative valued at $19 million enters installation phase with eight transportable battery systems across five Vermont sites.
Oil prices fall as Middle East diplomacy hopes rise
Brent and WTI crude decline over 5% weekly as U.S.-Iran tensions ease and inventories rise. Strait of Hormuz traffic remains disrupted despite White House claims.
France’s 2026 soft wheat harvest protein levels exceed five-year average
FranceAgriMer reports 89% of soft wheat samples contain at least 11% protein, above the five-year average, while 61% meet the 11.5% threshold used by some buyers.
EQT Real Estate sells 10.5 million sq ft U.S. logistics portfolio to LBA Realty
Transaction includes 46 Class A buildings across 10 Southern U.S. markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Ur-Energy director sells $109,652 in shares, exercises options
John Cash, a director at Ur-Energy, sold 77,751 shares for $109,652 and exercised options worth $80,884 on Aug. 24. The company holds a 6.14% stake in Noble Plains Uranium, which recently raised $1.01 million.
Hong Kong home prices fall 0.5% in July, first drop in 16 months
Private home prices declined for the first time since March 2025, following a 0.2% gain in June. Year-to-date gains remain at 7.3% despite the softening.
Sinopec’s new chairman overhauls refiner for energy transition
Hou Qijun targets 20% of capital spending for new energy as China’s largest refiner shifts focus amid falling fuel demand and rising electrification.
JPMorgan, Santander to arrange $14B-$15B financing for Argentina LNG project
Banks lead syndicate for a $24 billion floating LNG terminal in Argentina, targeting late November final investment decision. Project aims to liquefy and export shale gas.
Gold sentiment improves on softer U.S. rate outlook, ETP inflows
Weaker U.S. jobs data and softer GDP growth ease rate-hike fears, while central-bank demand rebounds. Dollar weakness and geopolitical risks add support.
McEwen Copper secures $240M loan for Argentina copper project
Funding will advance engineering at Los Azules, with commercial production targeted for 2030. Loan carries a 12% annual interest rate and warrants tied to McEwen Copper shares.
JPMorgan, Santander to arrange $14 bln-$15 bln for Argentina LNG project
Banks to coordinate financing for $24 bln floating LNG venture targeting 12 million tons per year of exports. Partners aim for FID by November.
Philips sells €650 mln green bond under EU Green Bond Standard
Health tech giant prices first EU Green Bond in healthcare under new EU standard, raising €650 million with a 4.0% coupon and 2.7x oversubscription.
Three major silver producers face supply disruptions unrelated to price
Mexico’s Terronera mine halted for 12 days, Peru’s output fell 9% in June, and Chile’s Los Pelambres mine shut due to snow—none driven by silver prices. Analysts say by-product dynamics now dominate supply.
Oil prices fall 5% after U.S. sanctions on Iran fail to sway markets
Brent and WTI crude futures declined nearly 5% as traders shrugged off new U.S. sanctions against Iran and focused on profit-taking after a multi-week rally. Analysts noted limited market impact from Washington’s latest measures.
Oil falls as Hormuz corridor deal eases war premium
Crude prices slide for a third session after Oman-brokered talks suggest a temporary shipping route may soon reopen, reducing supply disruption risks. Weekly losses exceed 9%.
U.S. launches sweeping sanctions campaign to isolate Iran’s economy
Treasury targets nearly 60 entities across five sectors, including gold, shipping and aviation, as part of a coordinated economic offensive. Oil prices ease after two-week rally.