Analysis: Commodities

Canada's trade deficit narrows in May, US exports drop to lowest since pandemic

OTTAWA -Canada's trade deficit in May narrowed after a record-breaking deficit in April as total exports rose and imports fell even as the impact of U.S. tariffs dented shipments south of the border,...

Dairy supply management could sour Canada-US trade talks

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -Canada canceled a digital service tax on U.S. technology companies this week in order to preserve trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, but another irritant, in...

Gold falls 1% as strong US payrolls data douses rate cut hopes

Gold fell 1% on Thursday as stronger-than-expected U.S. payroll data cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates as early as previously anticipated, denting the...

Gold rises as weak ADP employment data strengthens rate cut bets

Gold prices firmed on Wednesday as weaker-than-expected jobs data fueled hopes of the U.S. Federal Reserve cutting rates sooner than anticipated, while investors also awaited the upcoming non-farm...

Raw materials: Chinese magnets are making a comeback

The threat of massive paralysis in the global automotive supply chain appears to be receding as rare earth magnets from China begin to flow again. However, manufacturers and their suppliers continue...

China's Iran oil imports surge in June on rising shipments, teapot demand

SINGAPORE/LONDON -China's oil imports from Iran surged in June as shipments accelerated before the recent conflict between Israel and Iran and demand from independent refineries improved, analysts...

Safe-haven gold falls 2% on easing US-China trade tensions

Gold fell 2% on Thursday, hitting a near one-month low, after a U.S.-China trade agreement boosted risk appetite and diminished bullion's appeal as a safe-haven asset. Spot gold eased...

Oil market reflects slim chance of supply disruption, Goldman analysts say

Options markets suggest the probability of a disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz is just 4% following the Iran-Israel ceasefire, Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note on Thursday. ...

Gold falls 2% as Iran-Israel ceasefire weighs on safe-haven appeal

Gold fell 2% to hit an over two-week low on Tuesday as the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel dented safe-haven demand for bullion. Spot gold fell 1.6% to $3,313.63 an...

Japan's retail rice prices fall below 4,000 yen, hitting prime minister's target

TOKYO -Japan's average retail rice prices fell below 4,000 yen for the first time in four months, data showed on Monday, after the government released an emergency stockpile of rice to tackle food...

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.