Geopolitical Tensions
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Naturgy Profit Rises on Higher Energy Demand, Pricing
WSJ· 2026-02-18 08:25
Core Insights - Gas and electricity prices remained elevated on average throughout the year due to geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty [1] Group 1 - The increase in gas and electricity prices is attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions [1] - Macroeconomic uncertainty has also contributed to the higher average prices of gas and electricity [1]
Gold steadies after 2 day drop in thin lunar new year trading
BusinessLine· 2026-02-18 03:35
Market Overview - Gold prices remained stable at approximately $4,880 an ounce after experiencing a decline of over 3% in the previous two sessions due to a strengthening US dollar [1] - A significant rally had previously driven gold to an all-time high of over $5,595 an ounce in late January, but the market corrected sharply to nearly $4,400 within two sessions [2] Price Forecasts - Major banks such as BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, and Goldman Sachs predict that gold prices will resume an upward trend, supported by ongoing geopolitical tensions and a shift away from sovereign bonds and currencies [3] - Investors are closely monitoring comments from Federal Reserve officials for insights into US monetary policy, as potential interest rate cuts could benefit non-yielding precious metals like gold [4] Federal Reserve Insights - Fed Governor Michael Barr indicated that interest rates should remain steady until there is more evidence of inflation moving towards the central bank's 2% target [5] - Fed Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee mentioned the possibility of further rate cuts this year if inflation continues to trend towards the target [5] Current Market Data - As of 8:51 a.m. in Singapore, spot gold was priced at $4,880.18 an ounce, while silver decreased by 1% to $72.83 an ounce. Platinum and palladium saw slight increases of 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively [6]
Global Markets Update: Tesla Averts California Sales Ban, Japan Exports Surge 16.8%, and Google Launches $15B India AI Hub
Stock Market News· 2026-02-18 01:08
Key TakeawaysTesla (TSLA) successfully averted a 30-day license suspension in California after the DMV confirmed the automaker implemented "corrective measures" regarding its marketing of Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features.Japan’s exports surged 16.8% year-on-year in January, marking the fastest growth in over three years, driven by robust demand for semiconductors and electrical machinery from China and the European Union.Australia’s Wage Price Index (WPI) held steady at 3.4% year-on-year for Q ...
Geopolitics and Hidden Forces Rattle Bitcoin Markets | US Crypto News
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-17 15:38
Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin is experiencing significant volatility due to geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic concerns, leading to a decline in its price and market sentiment [2][5]. Group 1: Market Performance - Bitcoin dropped 1.7% to approximately $67,600, reflecting a broader weakness in equity futures, with Nasdaq 100 contracts down 0.9% and S&P 500 contracts down 0.6% [2]. - Bitcoin has fallen over 50% from its peak of $126,000 in October 2025, with analysts identifying $60,000 as a key near-term support level [5]. Group 2: Investor Sentiment - The correlation between Bitcoin and high-beta tech stocks has increased, making Bitcoin more sensitive to risk-off sentiment in equities [3]. - Market sentiment is at levels not seen since the 2022 bear market, with only 55% of Bitcoin's supply currently in profit and around 10 million BTC held at a loss [6]. - The Fear and Greed Index indicates extreme caution, sitting at 10, which is firmly in the "extreme fear" zone [6]. Group 3: ETF Activity - There have been sustained outflows from US-listed Bitcoin ETFs, with $360 million withdrawn last week, marking the fourth consecutive week of net outflows [4].
BHP Posts $6.2B Profit and Secures Massive Silver Deal Amid Global Geopolitical Tensions
Stock Market News· 2026-02-16 22:38
Group 1: BHP Group Limited - BHP Group Limited reported a strong first-half underlying profit of $6.20 billion and a net income of $5.64 billion, maintaining its full-year output guidance and declaring an interim dividend of $0.73 per share, supported by an EBITDA of $15.46 billion [2][13] - BHP announced a significant $4.3 billion silver streaming deal with Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., providing a substantial capital injection as the company optimizes its global portfolio [3][13] Group 2: Woodside Energy Group Ltd - Woodside Energy Group Ltd reported its annual reserves statement, confirming a resilient resource base with 1,882.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in proved reserves and 2,999.5 MMboe in proved plus probable reserves as of year-end 2025 [4][13] - The company has 5,795.7 MMboe in contingent resources, indicating a strong pipeline for future development, focusing on maximizing value from its Australian and international assets, including the Sangomar and Scarborough projects [5] Group 3: Economic and Geopolitical Context - New Zealand experienced a sharp 2.5% month-on-month increase in food prices for January, marking the largest monthly increase since 2022, driven by rising costs for groceries and produce, indicating persistent inflationary pressure [10][11][13] - The US is intensifying military pressure on Iran by deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group ahead of critical diplomatic negotiations, with markets closely monitoring the situation for potential impacts on global oil supply and regional stability [6][7][13]
Forget Gold and Silver: This is the Metal to Buy in 2026 (And 3 Stocks to Play This Trend)
247Wallst· 2026-02-16 18:44
Core Viewpoint - The article suggests that uranium is the metal to invest in for 2026, highlighting significant price increases and strong performance of uranium stocks over the past year, particularly due to rising demand for energy from data centers and geopolitical factors [1]. Group 1: Uranium Market Overview - Uranium stocks have surged between 115% to 125% over the past year, driven by increased demand for power, particularly from data centers [1]. - The precious metals sector, including gold and silver, has seen substantial returns, but uranium is positioned as a potentially safer investment moving forward [1]. Group 2: Company Analysis - **Cameco (CCJ)**: - Shares have increased over 125% in the past year, supported by strong commodity price growth and production output [1]. - The company reported over $300 million in adjusted EBITDA on approximately $615 million in revenue, indicating strong financial health [1]. - Cameco has a forward price-earnings ratio exceeding 100, reflecting investor confidence in uranium as a clean energy source [1]. - **Energy Fuels (UUUU)**: - Stock price has risen more than 115% in the last year, benefiting from similar factors as Cameco [1]. - The company has achieved gross margins of 40%-50% through low-cost ISR mining operations [1]. - Energy Fuels is seen as a speculative investment but trades at a relative discount to NAV, with additional potential from its rare earths operations [1]. - **Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC)**: - UEC stock has shown similar returns to its peers, with a forward cash flow multiple of around 10, making it one of the cheaper uranium investments [1]. - The company is positioned for potential profitability in 2027, with a narrowing loss expected in 2026 [1].
Is XRP Headed to $1?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-16 04:00
XRP has dropped by 25% so far in 2026.Less than two months into 2026, growth investors have been hard-pressed on where to make money. Certain pockets of the artificial intelligence (AI) realm, such as software stocks, are getting clobbered while speculative opportunities in cryptocurrency are plummeting. So far this year, XRP (XRP 5.13%) has cratered by 25%. Could XRP's sell-off be an opportunity to buy the dip, or is the token headed even further south?Why is crypto crashing?One of the interesting aspects ...
Italian Shipbuilder Fincantieri Expects Sales to Double by 2035 on Defense Demand
WSJ· 2026-02-12 12:10
Core Viewpoint - The company anticipates that sales will approximately double to $21.37 billion by 2035, driven by increasing demand for submarines, warships, and icebreakers due to rising geopolitical tensions [1] Summary by Category - **Sales Growth**: The company expects sales to reach $21.37 billion by 2035, indicating a significant growth trajectory [1] - **Market Demand**: The anticipated growth is attributed to heightened demand for military vessels, including submarines and warships, as well as icebreakers [1] - **Geopolitical Factors**: The increase in sales is fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions, which are influencing defense spending and naval capabilities [1]
Binance's Richard Teng breaks down the ‘10/10’ nightmare that rocked crypto
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-12 08:33
Core Insights - Binance did not cause the crypto market liquidation event on October 10, but all exchanges experienced significant liquidations due to external factors such as China's rare earth metal controls and new U.S. tariffs [1] - The U.S. equity market lost $1.5 trillion in value on the same day, with $150 billion in liquidations, while the crypto market saw about $19 billion in liquidations across all exchanges [2] Group 1: Market Impact - Approximately 75% of the liquidations occurred around 9:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with a stablecoin depegging and delays in asset transfers [1] - Binance provided support to affected users, a move not taken by other exchanges [2] Group 2: Trading Volume and User Base - Binance facilitated $34 trillion in trading volume last year and has 300 million users, with no significant withdrawals reported from the platform [3] Group 3: Market Trends and Institutional Interest - The crypto market is influenced by broader geopolitical tensions, but institutional investment remains strong despite market fluctuations [3][5] - Retail demand is currently lower compared to the previous year, but institutional and corporate deployment in the sector continues to be robust [5] Group 4: Future Outlook - Uncertainty regarding interest rate movements and geopolitical tensions are ongoing concerns for crypto assets [4] - Historical trends indicate that crypto prices move cyclically, which long-term participants have observed [4]
Comparing BlackSky And Planet Labs: Which Satellite Company Leads The Long-Term Race
Seeking Alpha· 2026-02-11 14:33
Industry Overview - The surveillance and general Earth-observation industry is experiencing significant growth due to escalating geopolitical tensions and increased military spending in 2026 [1] Company Focus - The focus is on identifying promising biotechnology companies that are innovating through novel mechanisms of action, first-in-class therapies, or platform technologies [1] - The analysis emphasizes evaluating the science behind drug candidates, the competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and potential market opportunities while balancing financial fundamentals and valuation [1]