Commodities
London Gas Oil holds near $1,241 as traders eye $1,328 resistance
London Gas Oil futures consolidate in a tight range ahead of a potential breakout above $1,260. Technical indicators suggest limited near-term momentum.
Global markets digest August 2026: equities rise, bonds wobble, Bitcoin surges
U.S. stocks extend gains on CTA normalization, while 30-year Treasury yields hit 19-year highs before easing. Bitcoin breaks above $79,000 amid ETF inflows and Treasury buyback expansion.
Swiss housing prices set to rise further; buyers face affordability squeeze
Rising real estate values and low mortgage costs are supporting Swiss home prices, but structural supply constraints and tax changes are reshaping affordability and investment decisions.
Greenland approves rare earths license transfer to Greenland Mines
Government of Greenland grants approval for transfer of mineral exploration license for the Sarfartoq neodymium-praseodymium project, a key step in Greenland Mines' acquisition.
Metals Royalty secures $165m financing for iron ore royalty acquisition
The Metals Royalty Company will use proceeds from a $165m package to fund a Mesabi Metallics iron ore royalty acquisition and refinance debt. The financing includes $140m in convertible notes and a $25m term loan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fortescue reports record iron ore shipments, AUD 3.5 bln FY26 profit
Australia’s Fortescue posts 9% revenue growth and AUD 3.2 bln free cash flow for FY26, while maintaining a 65% payout ratio. FY27 shipment guidance raised to 197-207 mln tonnes.
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.
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.
Vibra Energia targets mining sector with premium diesel expansion
Brazilian fuel retailer launches Supera Plus diesel for mining operations after trials at Vale’s Salobo and Onça Puma mines showed fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs. Expansion planned into agribusiness, industry and logistics.