YPF's earnings could be affected by lower crude oil prices
A Friday presentation to investors revealed that the state-owned oil company in Argentina could have its core earnings fall this year due to lower crude prices. According to the firm's current estimates, its earnings before interest taxes depreciation amortization (EBITDA), in 2025, will range from $5.2 billion to $5.5 billion assuming Brent crude at $72.5 per barrel. The firm estimates that if crude sold for $60 per barrel, projected EBITDA would drop to between $4.2 and $4.5 billion.
Argentina wants to increase lithium production by 75% by 2025 and sees no danger from trade war
The Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies said that Argentina, which is the fifth largest lithium producer in the world, will produce 130,800 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate (LCE) by 2025. This represents a 75 percent increase over 2024. According to Alejandra Cardona of CAEM, the executive director, a major boost in production will come from the expansion of operations in Catamarca, Jujuy and Salta, which are the provinces north with the biggest lithium operations. Cardona reports that Argentina has six lithium operations.
Bolivians tighten their belts after a new reality of inflation bites
Angelica Zapata, a Bolivian homemaker in La Paz's highland, is learning to accept a new reality of inflation. Prices are rising at their fastest rate in nearly two decades due to the shortages in fuel and dollars. Landlocked gas and grain producers are facing their most severe economic crisis since the global financial crises. Foreign currency reserves have been dwindling due to stalled exports and energy production, which has stoked unrest and protests.
As Chinese demand slows, mining consolidation will accelerate.
The mining industry is expected to consolidate due to the decline in industrial metals demand, especially in China, the top consumer. Investors said that for now, the high costs of mergers and acquisitions among diverse miners and the significant chance of rejection could hinder full-scale activity. This is ahead of the global gathering of the Copper Industry for the CESCO in Santiago, Chile, next week. LSEG data shows that M&A activity in the mining…
As Chinese demand slows, mining consolidation will accelerate.
The mining industry is expected to consolidate due to the decline in industrial metals demand, especially in China, the top consumer. Investors say that for the moment, mergers and acquisitions among diversified miners may be hindered by prohibitively high costs and a significant chance of rejection. LSEG data shows that M&A activity in the mining sector dropped 27% in terms of value to $15 billion during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2024. BHP shares are down 26% since the beginning of 2024.
Sources claim that Indian state firms are interested in SQM’s lithium projects in Australia.
Four sources have confirmed that four Indian state firms were in discussions with Chilean mining company SQM about acquiring a 20% stake of its two projects in Australia. The deal would cost $600 million. This is New Delhi's largest effort to secure supplies for the metal used in EV batteries. Sources said that Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, a government-backed company, has partnered up with Coal India Ltd, Oil India Ltd, and ONGC Videsh in order to secure a 20% stake in SQM’s Mount Holland Lithium Project and Andover Lithium Project in Western Australia.
Palmetto slips with a second consecutive weekly loss
Palm oil ended lower on Friday, and recorded a second consecutive weekly loss. This was due to a decline in Chicago soyoil and the persistently slow performance of Malaysian palm oil exports. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives exchange lost 37 ringgit or 0.84% to 4,376 Ringgit ($990.27). The contract has lost 4.37% in the last week. Anilkumar bagani, Sunvin Group's head of research, said that the futures traded sideways with prices opening lower.
VEGOILS - Palm up in hopes of better demand, but second consecutive weekly loss
Palm oil prices rose on Friday, on the hope of improved demand from India and China. However, they were still heading for their second consecutive weekly loss because of weakness in Chicago soyoil contracts and Malaysian palm oil exports that have been slowing down. By midday, the benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives Market gained 5 ringgit or 0.11% to 4,418 Ringgit ($999.32). This week, the contract has fallen by 3.45%.
Argentine workers strike, halting soy crushing factories
The CIARA industry association reported that on Thursday, activity was halted in Argentina's soy-processing plants as the oilseed workers union SOEA began a strike to protest layoffs and the actions of the national security forces. The strike began late Wednesday night after members of Argentina's Naval Prefecture interfered with a demonstration by biodiesel producer Explora SA, in the Rosario area, a major agribusiness center. The Federacion Aceitera…
Local news reports say that Equinor is planning to sell its assets in Argentina.
Mas Energia, a Mas Energia-published online magazine, reported that the Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor was looking to sell their onshore assets located in Argentina's Vaca Muerta Region, citing anonymous sources. Equinor has appointed Bank of America as the agent to sell its 30% stake in Bandurria Sur and 50% in Bajo del Toro Norte. However, no decision on the divestment has been taken yet, according to the report. Mas Energia said that the Norwegian company has no plans to sell its stakes offshore licenses in Argentina.
Local news reports say that Equinor is planning to sell its assets in Argentina.
Mas Energia, citing anonymous sources, reported that Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor was looking to sell their onshore assets located in Argentina's Vaca Muerta Region. Equinor has appointed Bank of America as the agent to sell its 30% stake in Bandurria Sur and 50% in Bajo del Toro Norte. However, no decision on the divestment has been taken yet, according to the report. Mas Energia said that the Norwegian company has no plans to sell its stakes offshore licenses in Argentina. A spokesperson for Equinor declined to comment.
After Halliburton layoffs, the Argentine oil union has threatened to strike
The union of oil and gas workers in Argentina's oil rich Chubut province, which has hundreds of employees laid off by Halliburton and a local office closing, threatened to strike after Halliburton closed its local office and dismissed hundreds. Carlos Gomez said that the Chubut Private Oil and Gas Union's deputy secretary, Carlos Gomez spoke on the broadcast radio channel of the union, and claimed that the company had reneged on its commitment to maintain staffing levels and fired 290 employees on Monday without notice to the union.
Brazil resumes hydropower exports to Argentina and Uruguay with the aim of increasing flow
Industry officials have confirmed that Brazil is resuming energy exports from its hydroelectric plants to Argentina and Uruguay due to the excess water they have in their reservoirs as a result of heavy rains. The government also aims to improve the competitiveness of the sales. Brazil's exports were halted for nearly the entire 2024 year due to a disappointing rainy season in Brazil and a severe drought that affected the Amazon. Sales resumed in January after Brazil sent 12 megawatts (aMW) in average of hydropower to both countries, according to CCEE.
Palm prices rise on lower production and log a fourth weekly gain
Malaysian palm futures closed higher on Friday, logging a fourth consecutive weekly gain. Lower stocks supported the market in spite of demand concerns and uncertainty surrounding Indonesia's mandate for biodiesel. At the close, the benchmark April palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 41 ringgit (0.9%), to 4,595 Ringgit ($1,036.78) per metric ton. The contract increased by 2.02% in the past week. Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari said that the market was slightly adjusted due to concerns about demand…
Palm production drops, resulting in a fourth-week gain.
Malaysian palm futures increased on Friday as lower inventories supported the market, despite concerns about demand and uncertainty surrounding Indonesia's mandate for biodiesel. At midday, the benchmark April palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange rose 35 ringgit or 0.77% to 4,589 Ringgit ($1,033.56) per metric ton. This week, it has increased by 1.62%. Paramalingam Supramaniam of Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari said that the market was slightly adjusted due to concerns about demand, but lower end stocks supported prices.
Brazil's Batista Family seeks to expand its footprint in the Oil Sector
According to two sources familiar with the deal, Brazilian oil and natural gas company Fluxus is owned by J&F Group, the holding firm of the Batistas. It has made a nonbinding offer to purchase the assets on land of Brava Energia. J&F acquired Fluxus in 2023. It also purchased a Pluspetrol oil field in Argentina. Fluxus' growth continued in 2024 when it acquired Pluspetrol Bolivia which included three oilfields. According to a source who asked to remain anonymous due to the nature of the discussion…
Argentina negotiates gas imports with Bolivia and Chile after heatwave increases demand
Bolivia and Chile have begun talks to resume gas exports to Argentina, amid a spike in demand sparked by a heatwave this summer. This highlights the challenges facing the government of Buenos Aires in its quest to become self-sufficient in energy. Armin Dorgathen Taia, the head of Bolivia's state energy company YPFB told me by phone on Friday that "we are in a negotiations with Argentina to create a contract spot". These talks were previously unknown.
Executive: Bolivia and Argentina in talks to restart gas supply due to spike in demand
Bolivia's state energy company YPFB has begun talks with Argentina to resume gas exports, amid a spike in demand sparked by a heatwave this summer. This highlights the challenges facing the government of Buenos Aires in its quest to become self-sufficient in energy. Armin Dorgathen Tapiea, the YPFB's chief, told a reporter by phone on Friday that "we are in a discussion with Argentina about creating a spot contract." These talks were previously unknown.
Sources say that India's palm oils imports will hit a 5-year low on January due to negative margins.
India's palm-oil imports will plunge to their lowest level in five years this January due to negative refining margins. The tropical oil's higher price than its rivals is driving buyers to soyoil which is more competitively priced, according to government and industry officials. The world's largest buyer of vegetable oil, Malaysia, could reduce palm oil imports and weigh down on Malaysian benchmark palm oil prices. However, this would support U.S. soybean oil futures.
JPMorgan Upgrades YPF and Expects Further Growth for the Argentine Energy Sector
In a client note, JPMorgan analysts raised their rating of Argentine oil company YPF. They said that the energy sector in South America has more room to grow as part of its "economic transformation". The U.S. Investment Bank raised its YPF recommendations to "overweight" and from "neutral." It also more than doubled the price target from $25.00 to $59.50 for each American Depositary Receipt. In 2024, YPF shares soared by more than 150% during a major…
