Commodities

Lindt & Sprüngli slashes 2026 revenue growth outlook after European slump
Swiss chocolate maker cuts full-year organic revenue growth forecast to 0-2% from 4-6%, citing consumer price sensitivity and extreme summer heat in Europe.

Lindt & Sprüngli Cuts 2026 Sales Growth Forecast, Shares Drop
Swiss chocolate maker trims organic revenue growth outlook to 0–2% from 4–6%, citing European heat and consumer price sensitivity.

Dax dips as oil above $100 spooks European stocks
European equities opened lower on Thursday as Brent crude held above $100, weighed by renewed Middle East tensions and softening US tech sentiment.

Austria Plans 12-Cent Fuel Price Cut for Oct-Nov
Vienna will slash mineral oil taxes and trim refiner margins to lower pump prices by more than 12 cents per liter, citing inflation as a top priority.

Euro falls to $1.145 as oil rises and German political turmoil weighs
The euro slipped to $1.145, its lowest since late July, amid higher Brent crude prices and mounting political risk after the CDU’s defeats in German state elections.

SMI Reclaims Gains Before ECB, Copper Retreats From Record, Oil Holds Above $100
Swiss blue chips reversed morning losses ahead of an almost certain 25-basis-point ECB rate hike, while copper fell 2.2% from a record and Brent crude stayed above $100 on Middle East risk.

FTSE 100 Rises as Fed Hike Lifts Mood Ahead of BoE Decision
UK stocks gained ground Wednesday on the back of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve rate increase, with investors looking ahead to Thursday's Bank of England policy meeting.

Helvetia Baloise posts CHF 632M underlying H1 earnings, IFRS profit hit by merger write-down
Underlying earnings rose to CHF 631.6 million in the first half of 2026, while IFRS profit fell to CHF 84.6 million after a CHF 671.7 million accelerated write-down on intangible assets from the Baloise merger.

Swiss equities open lower as SMI falls, Novartis under pressure
The Swiss Market Index drops 0.6% to 13,979 points, with only three SMI stocks gaining. Novartis faces renewed pressure, while Adecco and Barry Callebaut perform well.

FTSE 100 falls as oil rises and AI safety dispute clouds markets
European and U.S. shares eased as Brent crude climbed on a Saudi pipeline outage, while AI leaders clashed over development speed and UK labour data showed cooling pay growth.

European Stocks Fall as Crude Oil Holds Above $90 on Iranian Threats
Brent crude extends gains past $90 on Persian Gulf supply risks, compounding euro-area inflation pressure ahead of the ECB's expected rate hike.

Copper Hits Record as Novartis Drops on Study Miss; SMI Expected Lower
Copper surged to an all-time high above $14,500 a tonne on supply fears, while Novartis sank 5.2% pre-market after a failed muscle-disease study. The SMI was expected to open down.

DAX slips below 26,000 points as rate outlook and oil prices tighten
The German benchmark index fell 0.37% to 25,951, breaking the 26,000 level amid ECB rate‑hike expectations, US inflation data and Brent crude trading above $97.

UBS flags commodities as inflation hedge amid Middle East risks
Strategists recommend broad exposure to energy, metals and agriculture as geopolitical tensions and weather patterns reshape supply. Brent crude near $87, European gas at 65 euros/MWh.

Global bond rout deepens as oil prices surge past $92; UK 30-year gilt yields hit 28-year high
Long-term UK borrowing costs rise to levels last seen in 1998 as oil climbs above $92 a barrel, while eurozone inflation hits a three-year high. Global bond markets extend sell-off amid inflation and fiscal concerns.

Swiss diesel prices stay high despite falling Brent crude
Diesel at Swiss pumps holds near 2.20-2.30 francs/litre even as Brent crude dips 7% to $87/bbl. Global refining shortages, Russian export ban and record-low U.S. distillate stocks keep costs elevated.

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.

Solstice Gold expands Strathy project with Leckie Zone acquisition
The deal adds 24 hectares of patented claims and 9.4 km² of non-patented claims to the Strathy Gold Project, bringing total holdings to 57 km². Consideration includes $600,000 cash and 2 million shares.

Rockhopper to raise capital for second Sea Lion FPSO amid project expansion
Rockhopper Exploration plans a capital raise to fund its 35% share of a second FPSO for the Sea Lion oil project, with Navitas Petroleum exercising an option to acquire the vessel. First oil from the Northern Development Area remains on track for early 2028.

Swiss market opens lower as pharma stocks weigh; gold hits 3-month high
SMI falls 0.22% in pre-market as Roche and Novartis drag; DAX seen little changed. Brent oil dips 1.5% to $92.94/barrel; WTI at $85.61. Gold climbs 0.75% to $4,637/oz.

Stanmore reports 18% EBITDA rise in H1 2026 on higher coal prices
Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation climbed to $174 million as strong coking coal prices offset cost pressures. Full-year guidance maintained.

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.

Canada supplies 68% of U.S. aluminum imports in first half of 2026
Canadian exports met 68% of U.S. aluminum import demand in the first half of 2026, while total domestic production covered 95% of import needs. Washington weighs tariff reductions on Canadian metal.

Jefferies flags metals breakout risk on currency debasement concerns
Analysts initiate buy ratings on Canadian miners as fiscal deficits and currency risks drive early moves in gold and crypto. Copper and industrial metals seen as next in line.

