Analysis: Commodities

The Strait of Hormuz: a central crossroads for black gold

As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies, is once again becoming a hot spot. If...

Commodities: Energy security central to tensions in the Middle East

Every week, our commodities overview reviews the latest news from the commodity markets to better understand fluctuations in the prices of energy, metals, and agricultural commodities.

Japan supermarket rice prices fall for third straight week

Japan's average supermarket rice prices fell for the third straight week through June 8, data showed on Monday, reflecting the release of cut-price grain from the government's emergency stockpile. ...

Investors unnerved as Israel-Iran conflict fuels oil market rally

NEW YORK/GDANSK -Investors were on edge as financial markets reopened on Sunday, with crude oil prices initially up near 4% as markets were gripped by the escalating threat of a sweeping conflict in...

Gold advances as Israel-Iran escalation fuels safe-haven bids

Gold prices soared on Friday as investors flocked to safe-haven assets following Israeli airstrikes on Iran, re-igniting fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Spot gold rose...

US immigration raid of Omaha meat plant cuts staff, fuels food production worries

CHICAGO -U.S. meat producer Glenn Valley Foods was operating an Omaha, Nebraska, facility with about 30% of its staff on Wednesday after federal agents detained workers in an immigration raid the...

Towards a decline in US oil production in 2026?

After years of growth in oil production in the United States, a reversal of this trend appears to be on the cards for 2026. While Donald Trump was aiming for an increase of three million barrels per...

Why is platinum soaring?

The rare metal has jumped by 30% since the beginning of April, now approaching $1,300/ounce. Behind this surge, several fundamental factors are converging to support demand at a time when supply is...

Commodities: Copper nears its annual high

Every week, our commodity market overview reviews the latest news from the commodity markets in order to better understand fluctuations in the prices of energy, metals, and agricultural commodities.

India slashes interest rates, but who will borrow?

MUMBAI -India's central bank is rolling out aggressive monetary easing to revive consumption and investment in the world's fifth-largest economy, but the payoff hinges on whether banks ramp up credit...

Gold prices edge down as traders monitor US-China talks

Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday as traders closely monitored U.S.-China talks, the outcome of which could simmer down trade tensions and boost the global economy, lessening demand for safe-haven...

Japan to release 200,000 more tons of emergency rice to curb prices

TOKYO -Japan will release another 200,000 metric tons of rice from its emergency stockpile to tackle a doubling of prices since last year, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Tuesday. ...

Gold edges higher with spotlight on US-China trade talk

Gold prices edged higher on Monday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar, as market participants kept a close eye on the ongoing U.S.-China trade talks. Spot gold rose 0.8% to $3,335.02 an...

Japan says emergency rice imports, other options considered to stabilise prices

Japan said on Friday that all options were being considered to stabilise rice prices, including the use of up to 100,000 metric tons of tariff-free staple rice the government imports a year, and...

Central banks on track for 4th year of massive gold purchases, Metals Focus says

Central banks worldwide are on track to buy 1,000 metric tons of gold in 2025, which would be their fourth year of massive purchases as they diversify reserves from dollar-denominated assets into...

Safe-haven gold rises on weak data, simmering uncertainty

Gold rose 1% on Wednesday, supported by a softer dollar and weak U.S. data, as investors grappled with mounting economic and political uncertainty. Spot gold climbed 0.8% to $3,378.22 an...

Gold falls from near four-week peak on firm dollar, traders eye Trump-Xi call

Gold fell nearly 1% on Tuesday after hitting a near four-week high, pressured by a firmer dollar as investors grew cautious ahead of a potential call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese...

Oil Rises on OPEC+ Plan and Canadian Wildfires

Oil prices surged nearly 3% on Monday, driven by supply concerns stemming from Canadian wildfires and a measured production increase from OPEC+. The producer group reaffirmed its plan to raise output...

Japanese consumers scramble to grab cheap rice; government ready to release more

Japan's farm minister said on Tuesday the government stood ready to offer more stockpiled rice as consumers formed long queues to snatch up cheap, emergency-use grain made available through some...