Market Pulse - Commodities
US oil product stockpiles jump last week, DoE says
US crude oil inventories fell by less than analysts had expected last week, helped by a big rise in net imports, even as product stockpiles jumped, a "clear" sign of receding demand, analysts said.
US-China trade talks went 'just fine', statement expected soon
The US and China successfully wrapped-up their first round of trade talks on Wednesday.
Commodities: Brent extends gains, China reports rise in official gold holdings
Commodity prices continued to advance on Tuesday amid generally 'risk-on' trading, although traders were carefully scanning the headlines out of the second round of US-China trade talks in Beijing.
UK offshore oil workers accept third pay offer
Members of the UK’s largest trade union on Tuesday accepted a new pay offer from North Sea contractors, avoiding the threat of the largest strike in the area’s oil producing history.
US and China narrow differences on trade, reports say
American and Chinese negotiators have reportedly made progress in talks, including on purchases of US goods and services, but the two sides are still not ready to finalise a deal.
UK could be hit by new 'Beast-from-the-East', forecasters warn
Rising energy demand and travel chaos could be on the horizon as forecasters warn the UK may soon be plunged into sub-zero temperatures in a repeat of last year’s ‘Beast-from-the-East’.
Euro area industrial confidence takes a turn for the worse in December
Confidence levels in the euro area were down almost across the board at the end of 2018 outside of the retail sector, according to the results of several closely-followed surveys.
Anglo African Oil & Gas confirms 'fantastic' discoveries at Congo project
Anglo African Oil & Gas plummeted on Monday despite a “fantastic” series of discoveries at its Tilapia licence in the Republic of the Congo.
US crude oil inventories little changed last week, DoE says
US crude oil stockpiles were little changed last week, but product inventories jumped, implying "waning" demand, according to analysts.
Buy when others are fearful, BofA-ML says
For the first time since the Brexit vote, it's 'risk-on' time now, strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch said at the end of the week.
New US and China trade talks to start on Monday
A fresh batch of trade talks between the US and China is set to start on Monday to see where the tensions stand after agreeing to a 90-day truce in early December of 2018.
Commodities: Oil futures edge higher after on fresh report of OPEC output cuts
Energy futures added to the prior day's advance, buoyed by softness in the Greenback and further evidence of output cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
US manufacturing PMI falls most since 2008 on China concerns, ISM says
A key gauge of factory sector conditions in the United States hit an over two-year low in December amid uncertainty over the tariff war with China.
Rockhopper Exploration makes 'good progress' ahead of new Egyptian campaign
Oil and gas outfit Rockhopper Exploration told investors on Thursday that it had made some "good progress" with its Falklands operations in its last trading year.
FX round-up: Dollar gains in risk-off session, amid negative news out of China
Sterling weakened significantly on Wednesday in a 'risk-off' day for financial assets on the heels of a weak reading on a key economic report in China, even as Beijing fired a 'warning shot' across the bow of the government across the Taiwan Strait, in Taipei.
China Tobacco Corp plans IPO for international unit
The world's biggest cigarette manufacturer plans to list its international subsidiary on the Hong Kong stock exchange, according to filing documents.
Commodities: Oil futures jump on reports of decrease in Saudi output
Commodities found a bid on Wednesday, reversing early losses following reports that Saudi was indeed meeting its output cut pledges with the Organisation for the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the cartel's main allies.
Caixin China manufacturing sector PMI drops below 50.0 point mark in December
Factory sector conditions in China weakened further at the end of 2018 with companies continuing to pare their headcount and to trim prices amid soft demand conditions, the results of one of the most widely-followed surveys revealed.