Commodities
South African rand gains as dollar slides; gold strengthens
The rand advanced 0.3% against the dollar while gold prices rose, as the U.S. dollar index fell 0.6% and global investors awaited key U.S. employment data.
US stocks cautious as oil prices rise; Swiss franc strengthens on inflation data
Dow Jones and Nasdaq futures show muted gains ahead of key U.S. jobs data, while rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions curb risk appetite. Swiss franc surges to 0.9392 per euro after unexpected inflation jump.
Scorpio Tankers reports Q3 2026 TCE rates, charters three vessels
Scorpio Tankers disclosed daily TCE revenue rates for Q3 2026 and secured three-year charters for two LR2 and one MR tanker. Fleet expansion includes newbuild deliveries through 2030.
European natural gas prices retreat after hitting war-era peaks
Dutch front-month contract falls 1.7% as traders take profits; British NBP drops 2.7% from multi-year highs amid Middle East tensions.
S&P warns on risks in China's credit rating practices
Agency flags discrepancies in local ratings vs global standards as regulators push for reform. China's bond market faces growing scrutiny over rating concentration.
Impala Platinum posts R31.7 bln profit, reserves up 9% in FY2026
South African miner reports record earnings and free cash flow, declares R17.1 bln in dividends as platinum group metals prices surge. Reserves rise to 53.8 mln ounces.
Wheat hits 3-year high as Black Sea tensions disrupt grain exports
Chicago wheat futures surged to $7.84 per bushel, the highest since 2023, amid escalating military activity in the Black Sea that threatens Russian and Ukrainian grain shipments.
Gold steadies below $4,600 ahead of Fed’s Warsh speech at Jackson Hole
The metal’s 16% August rebound faces its first major test as traders await Friday’s Jackson Hole address by new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Market reaction to Wednesday’s sticky inflation data underscores the thin line between further gains and a reversal.
Oil edges lower amid U.S.-Iran strike uncertainty
Crude prices slipped as market participants assessed potential supply risks tied to escalating geopolitical tensions.
Gold holds near $4,400 after Trump comments ease oil rally
Gold futures advance 0.3% as Middle East tensions ease; silver slips 0.1%. Fed speakers signal inflation progress while ADP jobs data miss estimates.
Gold steadies near $4,400 after rebound as Trump, Fed ease inflation bets
Gold held around $4,400 per ounce on Thursday after a 1% rebound as remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump and a dovish signal from a top Fed official eased inflation concerns. Silver slipped 0.1%.
Gold slumps 5.25% on week as yields surge past 4.8%, breaking key supports
Non-yielding metal falls to lowest since Aug. 19 as 10-year Treasury yield hits 4.81%, erasing year-to-date gains; Fed hike odds jump to 70% by Wednesday.
Wheat futures retreat in Chicago after multi-year highs
Chicago wheat fell 8.5 cents to $7.74 per bushel Wednesday, paring gains after overnight highs amid Black Sea export concerns and profit-taking.
Gold.com posts record $5 bln Q4 revenue, net income rises 18%
Precious metals retailer Gold.com reported a near-doubling of revenue to $5 billion in Q4 2026, while net income increased 18% to $12.2 million. Full-year revenue surged 132% to $25.5 billion.
Raw sugar hits 16-month high; arabica coffee falls 3.7%
ICE raw sugar futures rose 1.9% to 18.70 cents per pound, while arabica coffee dropped to a five-week low as Brazilian exports recovered. Cocoa prices also fell after a surge to one-year highs.
Trump scraps Iran MOU, oil climbs above $88 as Hormuz talks stall
U.S. revokes June accord aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz as Iran-linked shipping incidents rise and new sanctions expand economic pressure. Brent crude advances to $88.28.
Heat and floods threaten China's key crop harvests
Extreme weather in major growing regions risks lowering corn, soybean and cotton yields, potentially lifting imports of feed grains and U.S. agricultural products.
Green Pool cuts 2026/27 global sugar deficit forecast to 3.24 mln tons
Revised estimate reflects higher Indian output and Russian beet trials, offsetting EU and UK declines amid drought pressures.
Soybean futures reach contract highs on Chinese demand
Futures prices climb to the highest level in the current contract cycle amid reported buying interest from China.
Brazil extends crude oil export tax for 60 days after court ruling
Camex approves 12% levy extension as legal dispute with oil firms persists; ruling suspending the tax prompted temporary reinstatement.
Gold futures drop 3.2% in U.S. session as dollar strengthens
December gold futures fell to $4,514.16 per ounce, pressured by a 0.52% rise in the U.S. Dollar Index to 99.61. Silver and copper also declined.
Brazil coffee exports revised higher by 1.23 million bags in August
Cecafé corrected partial August export data after a system error undercounted shipments from the Santos port. Arabica futures fell before partially recovering.
Trump to meet refiners as Iran war lifts U.S. gasoline prices ahead of midterms
President Donald Trump plans to convene with major U.S. refiners and fuel retailers next week to discuss measures to curb gasoline prices, which have risen amid tensions with Iran and the ongoing war that began in late February.
US energy rig count steady at 588 as oil rigs dip, gas rises
Total US energy rigs held flat at 588 in the latest week, with oil rigs falling 5 while gas rigs rose 5. Year-over-year growth remains strong at 9.7%.