Commodities
Gold hovers near double-top formation as geopolitical risks rise
Futures consolidate near $4,640 after a brief rally as Iran-US tensions and rising U.S. debt weigh on markets. Technical signals suggest downside risk if key support breaks.
U.S. EPA permits early switch to winter gasoline to ease fuel costs
Regulator moves up transition to less costly fuel blend starting Sept. 1, aiming to boost supply amid elevated gasoline prices. Policy shift follows Iran conflict and $4-plus-per-gallon national average.
Electra extends Glencore cobalt supply deal to 2031
Five-year extension secures 10,000 metric tonnes of cobalt hydroxide for Electra’s Ontario refinery, aligning with LG Energy Solution’s 60% offtake commitment through 2029.
U.S. debt tops $40 trillion as markets eye trade talks, Fed signals
U.S. debt exceeds $40 trillion for the first time, while energy prices surge amid Middle East tensions. Trade deal deadline with Canada delayed to Saturday, as markets await Fed commentary and corporate earnings.
Silver rises above $68.88 as technical breakout fuels bullish bets
Technical analysis points to sustained upside if resistance at $69-$70 holds, with a short-term mean at $67.84. Fundamentals align as the Silver Institute projects a sixth annual deficit by 2026.
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.
Exxaro's 1H 2026 coal output jumps 11% as energy transition accelerates
South African miner reports record coal production and renewable energy gains, but earnings per share fall 20% amid higher costs and manganese acquisition. Dividend maintained at R7.00 per share.
Middle East oil risks push tanker prices to record highs
VLCC and second-hand supertanker values exceed $130 million as Gulf exporters charter fleet to bypass Strait of Hormuz threats. Charter rates also hit historic peaks.
Gold rallies past $4,500 as dollar weakens; analyst sets new targets
Analyst flags $4,500 breakout as U.S. Treasury bond support triggers short covering; outlines resistance and downside scenarios with updated price levels.
KN Energies posts 60% profit jump in H1 2026 on LNG demand
Net profit surged to €13.8 million as regulated LNG activities drove revenue to €58.1 million. EBITDA rose 15% to €31.1 million amid strong European gas market conditions.
Ramelius posts record 74% EBITDA margin on lower gold output
Australian miner Ramelius Resources reported FY26 underlying EBITDA of A$765.4 million despite a 36% drop in gold production. Record margins and cash returns offset lower volumes amid portfolio optimisation.
E-mini crude oil futures jump 2.6% as Strait of Hormuz tensions tighten supply
Futures rise to $86.55 on record diesel crack spreads and a 328,000-barrel U.S. crude draw, amid escalating Gulf shipping disruptions and no U.S.-Iran talks.
European gas prices rise as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowdown persists
Dutch front-month futures gain 0.2% as Qatari LNG cargoes remain stranded amid reduced tanker traffic through the Persian Gulf.
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.
Oil steadies near one-month high as U.S.-Iran tensions support weekly gain
Brent crude set for second straight weekly advance above $93 a barrel after U.S. threats of new sanctions on Iran and threats to the Strait of Hormuz tightened supply concerns.
Asia stocks slip on the week as bond yields, oil remain elevated
Regional equities end lower amid persistent inflation pressures from elevated crude prices and U.S. Treasury yields near multi-year highs. Dollar index hits three-month low.
Odfjell posts 68.8% Q2 profit surge on higher spot rates
Norwegian chemical tanker operator Odfjell SE reported net profit of $54 million in Q2 2026, up 68.8% from the prior quarter, as stronger spot rates offset geopolitical disruptions.
Jefferies downgrades U.S. steel sector outlook ahead of Canada tariff deal
Analysts cite potential tariff reduction to 25% from 50% as U.S. and Canada near trade agreement. Nucor remains top pick despite heightened risks.
Gold miners' Q2 earnings defy metal's slump, GDXJ valuations hit decade lows
Smaller gold miners posted near-record profits despite gold's 14.1% quarterly drop, pushing GDXJ valuations to their lowest in at least a decade. The analysis flags the ETF as a potential buy amid historical underperformance relative to gold.
Dorchester Minerals hits 52-week high as Williston Basin deal lifts shares
Dorchester Minerals LP shares jumped to a 52-week peak of $28.97 as a $1.2 billion Williston Basin acquisition and strong dividend yield of 17.8% drove gains. Year-to-date returns exceed 41%.
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.
Oil market braces for supply surge as bypass routes expand
Strategic bypass pipelines and U.S. shale growth are eroding Hormuz risk while Iraq seeks higher OPEC quotas and Venezuela’s export rebound faces port bottlenecks.