Sources: Swiss gold refining plans add sparkle to Trump's trade deal
Two people with knowledge of the situation say that Switzerland wants to build a gold refinery or increase its processing capacity in the United States as part a plan to lower U.S. tariffs. Donald Trump imposed 39% tariffs on Swiss imports as a result of the U.S.-Swiss trade deficit on August 7, 2018. Switzerland had scrapped its industrial tariffs in January. The main reason for the goods trade deficit with Switzerland is due to Swiss exports, including gold and chemicals.
VCI: German chemical industry runs at its lowest capacity for more than 30 Years
The German Chemical Industry Association said Wednesday that its capacity utilization in the second quarter was at its lowest level for more than 30 year as sales and prices fell due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. Tariffs. VCI reported that the German chemical industry only operated at 72% of full capacity in the period April-June, which is the lowest level seen since 1991 and far below the level needed to break even. VCI said that pull-forward effects on business with the United States decreased throughout the period of April-June…
German chemical lobby VCI reports quarterly sales and production decline amid tariff uncertainty
The German chemical industry association reported on Wednesday that the second-quarter production, sales and prices had declined, citing uncertainty regarding U.S. tariff policies. VCI said that pull-forward effects on business with the United States decreased throughout the period of April-June, because exports were brought forward to prepare for tariffs on European goods. The overall production of the chemicals sector, including pharmaceuticals, fell by 3.8% from quarter to quarter. This is in contrast with the 6.7% quarterly increase between January and March.
Trump tariffs threaten India’s export advantage; key sectors prepare for impact
U.S. president Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian products on Wednesday, as well as an unspecified fine tied to energy and defense purchases from Russia. If enforced, this move could undermine India's competitiveness in exports and impact investor sentiment. India's surplus in trade with the U.S., its biggest export market, was 1.2% of GDP by 2024. Analysts warn that halving the surplus could reduce GDP by 25-40 basis points, undermining India’s narrative of a'safe-haven' in the face of a global recession.
Even as money flows in, tariffs and geopolitics are dragging down European IPOs
Advisors say that the Middle East and tariffs are scaring investors and European companies, even though volatility has subsided and money is flowing back into equity markets. The global economy was shook by President Donald Trump's April announcement of tariffs on imports from almost all U.S. partners and his subsequent U turn pause. The markets have recovered, even in Europe. VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge”, has dropped around 67% since the peak reached following Trump’s tariff announcement.
Even as money flows in, tariffs and geopolitics are dragging down European IPOs
Advisors say that the Middle East and tariffs are scaring investors and European companies who are considering their initial public offering, even though volatility has subsided and money is flowing back into equity markets. The global economy was shocked by President Donald Trump’s April announcement of tariffs on imports from almost all U.S. partners and his subsequent U.S.-style pause. Since then, markets have recovered, including in Europe. VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge”, has dropped around 67% since the peak reached following Trump’s tariff announcement.
Oman's sovereign wealth fund signs preliminary agreement with Algeria to invest in a fund
The Oman Investment Authority has signed a preliminary deal with the Algerian Finance Ministry for establishing an investment fund in the amount of 115 million Omani Riyals ($298.79 Million). According to an OIA statement, the fund announced by the sovereign wealth fund of the sultanate will focus on the mining, food and pharmaceutical industries. The agreement was signed during the official visit of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said in the North African nation. During the visit, several agreements were signed.
US tech and retail stocks lead the rout following Trump's tariff blow
Apple, Walmart and Nike are among the U.S. megacap tech companies that led to a global meltdown after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs. The fears about a cost spike across many industries were heightened by these new tariffs. The tariffs threaten to disrupt the global trade order and upset businesses. This is a stark contrast to just a few short months ago, when the hopes for business-friendly policies from the Trump administration drove U.S. stock prices to record highs.
US Businesses brace themselves for more pain when Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs
The U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a number of reciprocal duties on trading partners, the latest of a long list of duties that have been imposed by him since he returned to the White House in early this year. From April 5, the U.S. is imposing a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the country and will be increasing duties for several of its largest trading partners. Levies may be especially damaging to U.S. firms in sectors that have already been hit with duties. Following U.S.
US businesses prepare for more pain when 'Liberation Day" tariffs loom
Businesses all over the world are eagerly awaiting details about the new tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on his trading partners. This is the latest in an extensive series of duties that have been imposed by the U.S. since he returned to the White House at the beginning of this year. Trump is expected to announce the new duties at a ceremony on Wednesday at 4 pm Eastern Time (20:00 GMT), dubbed "Liberation Day". Administration officials say that Trump's tariffs are cumulative, and include previous rates. Following U.S.
Trump tariffs stymie M&As and IPOs during what was expected to be a record-breaking quarter
The global trade war started by U.S. president Donald Trump, and the subsequent market turmoil, has shattered bankers' expectations for a strong start to Wall Street deals in 2018. Dealogic data for the first quarter showed that mergers and purchases volume increased 12.6% from the year-ago period to $984.38 Billion. The Asia Pacific region was largely responsible for this, where three state-run deals announced on Sunday by China and a port deal driven by Trump nearly doubled the M&A volume compared to last year. Worldwide, banks are reducing deals and revenue.
M&A revenues fall as Trump pursues his tariffs. Global deal activity is disappointing
The global trade war started by U.S. president Donald Trump, and the subsequent market turmoil, has shattered bankers' expectations for a strong start to Wall Street deals in 2018. Dealogic data for the first quarter showed that mergers and purchases volume increased 12.6% from the year-ago period to $984.38 Billion. The Asia Pacific region was largely responsible for this, where three state-run deals announced on Sunday by China and a port deal driven by Trump nearly doubled the M&A volume compared to last year. Worldwide, banks are reducing deals and revenue.
Germany's chemical lobby calls for regulatory reform and growth agenda
VCI, the industry lobby group in Germany, said that to achieve climate neutrality while remaining competitive and improving its performance it is necessary for regulation changes. VCI, which published two of its own studies, said that the crises in the last few years had left a mark on the balance sheet of chemical and pharmaceutical firms. Boston Consulting Group, in a study on the mood of the industry, found that nearly three-quarters of respondents are not likely to invest in new sites and plants in Germany.
Investors flock to US dividend ETFs after Fed rate cut
Since the Federal Reserve began its rate-cutting cycle last month, U.S. ETFs that invest in dividend paying stocks have seen a surge of inflows. However, a rise in U.S. Treasury rates could slow down the inflow of funds. Morningstar's group of 135 U.S. Dividend ETFs tracked in September brought in $3.05 Billion, the same month that the Fed cut rates by 50 basis point, its first decrease since 2020. This compares with average monthly inflows in 2024 of $424 millions.
According to a Nasscom-Zinnov study, India's global center market will grow to $105 Billion by 2030.
According to a report released by the IT industry association Nasscom on Wednesday, India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which were valued at $64.6 billion during fiscal 2024 will likely grow to between $99 and 105 billion dollars by 2030. India's GCCs are no longer low-cost outsourcing centers, but local offices that support their parent companies in multiple areas, such as daily operations, finance and research and development. This has led to more multinationals opening local offices, and a rise in hiring.
German chemical sector recovers loses momentum in Q2, according to industry group
The second quarter saw a slight slowdown in the German chemical sector, according to a report released by VCI, the industry association. Both domestic and international orders, particularly in the pharmaceutical branch, were down in April-June. In a press statement, VCI's Director Wolfgang Grosse Entrup stated that the global economy had not picked up as fast as expected. He also said that Germany's structural issues, including high production costs and red tape, as well as labour shortages remain unresolved.
DEKRA Wins Six-figure Contract in Australia
DEKRA Organizational Reliability, consultancy in behavioral change, has been awarded a 12-month contract worth $1 million AUSD, providing leadership training and coaching to ConocoPhillips’ Australia West operation.The Aberdeen-based consultancy, formerly known as Optimus Seventh Generation which specializes in working within high hazard industries, has been working on an ongoing basis with the operator’s UK-based function since 2016. With a focus on leadership coaching which emphasises accountability…
“Blockchain” and the World of Marine Insurance
If you’ve been working in the marine insurance industry lately, you will have heard about “blockchain” at some point; it is the electronic, distributed ledger, notoriously known for enabling the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. But the blockchain technology’s utility goes beyond cryptocurrencies, potentially offering creative ways to solve other real-world problems. Within blockchain ledgers, the use of ‘smart’ contracts essentially converts contractual obligations into lines of computer protocols, which facilitate, verify, or enforce its performance.
Crowley to Supply LNG in Puerto Rico
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) services group has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply additional volumes of containerized, U.S.-sourced LNG to a major pharmaceutical company’s manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico. The contract, executed through Crowley’s Carib Energy LLC subsidiary, extends a 2014 contract awarded to Crowley for LNG supply for the facilities by expanding LNG services to additional plants. The contract includes the fuel supply and transportation of LNG…
US Refiners Face Severe Labor Shortage
After years of running flat out, U.S. Gulf Coast refiners are lining up repairs to plants in 2017 - but facing a severe labor shortage that could delay work, drive up costs and raise accident risks. Fuel producers such as Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC.N) and Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) have delayed routine work in the past 24 months amid high margins. Those margins collapsed this year in a global fuel supply glut, providing an incentive for refiners to undertake the shutdowns necessary for maintenance.