Forecasters predict a higher-than-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2025
Colorado State University forecasters announced on Thursday that the 2025 hurricane season in the Atlantic basin is expected to be above average with 17 named tropical systems, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Researchers of the closely followed forecast have said that warm sea surface temperatures are likely to fuel storms again in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean. The season runs from June 1, to November 30, and winds in the south of the United States are favorable for storm formation.
Prices for EUROPE GAS continue to fall as the warm weather continues curb demand
The Dutch and British gas price continued to fall on Thursday as the warmer weather continues reducing demand. Meanwhile, the market is watching the impact of Trump’s "Liberation Day tariff plan". LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract fell 0.89 euros to 40.60 Euro per Megawatt Hour (MWh), or $12.80/mmBtu at 0827 GMT. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was down by 1.05 euros at 39.95 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead contracts was down 1,70 pence to 98.80 per therm.
French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Alstom, a French train manufacturer, announced on Tuesday that it had received 2.4 million euro ($1.08m) in public funding as part of the France 2030 plan to speed up the development of an intelligent train safety platform. It also announced a 125-million-euro order to supply 10 more regio2n train sets to the Auvergne/Rhone Alpes region. ARGAN: French firm Argan announced on Tuesday a rental income of 52.9 million euro in the first quarter.
Prices for EUROPE GAS remain stable despite the latest Sudzha gas stations attack
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were mostly unchanged on Friday, as the recent attacks on a Russian supply point were offset by an improved outlook for supply-demand as winter comes to an end. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract rose 0.17 euro to 41.17 euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $12.99/mmBtu by 1104 GMT. The Dutch day-ahead contracts was down by 0.10 euros at 40.90 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead contracts rose 0.52 pence, to 98.50 pence/therm. Meanwhile, the weekend contract increased 0.65 pence and now stands at 97.45 pence/therm.
French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Exmar reported on Thursday a decline in FY IFRS revenues to $348.9 millions but an increase in IFRS EBITDA at $204.7 million. It will not be proposing a dividend in 2024. Fluxys announced on Thursday that FY revenues and EBIT had increased to 608.8 millions euros ($657.0) and 133.9million euros, respectively. It proposes to pay a EUR 1.4 dividend per share. HAL Trust reported that its NAV will increase by 2,20 billion euros in 2024 to 15,50 billion euros.
Nigeria’s Refining Revolution is Reshaping West Africa’s Energy Landscape
The launch of the Dangote Refinery near the Port of Lagos presents an exciting opportunity to transform the energy and shipping markets in West Africa. And it stands to boost Nigeria’s role as an influential player in the global oil industry, fostering economic growth and regional development.Nigeria’s standing in the global energy landscape is getting a boost with domestic refining capacity expanding in 2025. The Dangote Refinery near Lagos presents a transformative opportunity…
Shell increases shareholder distributions and cuts spending
Shell raised its shareholder distribution policy to 40-50% from 30-40% on Tuesday, focusing on share buybacks. It also lowered its outlook for spending to $20-$22 billion through 2028. The world's largest LNG trader has said that it wants to increase LNG sales by 4%-5% per year over the next five, while increasing its production by 1% each year, and keeping its oil output at 1.4m barrels per day. Shell predicts that global demand for natural gas liquefied will increase by 60% by 2040.
Finland's Fortum explores options for long-term nuclear power
Fortum, a Finnish utility, said Monday that it would focus on renewable energy sources and nuclear life extension to meet the growing demand for electricity. It will also continue to explore long-term options such as new nuclear generation or pumped hydro. He added that the Nordics will meet this new demand by combining onshore solar and wind power with storage and flexibility solutions, and extending the life of existing nuclear reactors. Fortum has agreed to build pumped hydropower plants in addition to the pipeline of renewable energy projects it already has.
UK stock prices fall on uncertainty over tariffs; Heathrow power failure disrupts airlines
British stocks ended lower on Friday due to continued concerns about the impact of U.S. Tariff policy. Meanwhile, a Heathrow Airport shutdown impacted travel stocks. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell 0.6%. The FTSE 250 mid-cap index fell 0.9%. The blue-chip index gained 0.3% despite the losses of the day. The mid-cap index ended four weeks of losses by rising 0.5%. Heathrow Airport in Britain said that it has begun the process to reopen after an electrical fire shut down the airport's power supply for the day.
Export data from surveyors show palm gains on Dalian
The price of Malaysian palm oils futures rose for the second consecutive session on Thursday. This was due to the strong performance in Dalian and the newly released export surveyors data. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in June on the Bursa Derivatives exchange gained 26 ringgit or 0.59% to $4,415 ringgit (US$997.97) per metric ton. A Kuala Lumpur based trader stated earlier that the futures rose due to Dalian, while awaiting export data which would lead the market in the afternoon.
Energean reports a rise in its annual profit and flags exploration costs
Energean, a UK-based gas company, reported a 2% increase in its annual profit after taxes on Thursday. However, it also flagged $241 million in impairments relating to assets located in Egypt, Morrocco, and Greece. The company reported a profit of $188 millions for the year ending December 31, 2024. This is up from $185 in 2023. The company stated that the increasing demand for electricity and the government's plan to phase out coal in Israel have increased the demand for natural gas in Israel, which is the majority of the country's production.
EIA: Alaska crude oil production will grow in 2026 for the first time since 2017.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast on Wednesday that Alaska's crude oil production would increase in 2026. This is the first time since 2017. If realized, it will be the largest production since 2002. The 29 wells of the ConocoPhillips owned Nuna project are expected to produce combined 20,000 barrels per day (b/d) at its peak. Meanwhile, Santos and Repsol who jointly own the Pikka Project plan to produce up to 80,000 barrels per day from 45 wells at the project’s peak.
Prices of gas in Europe drop ahead of Trump-Putin call
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas eased Tuesday morning, as the market awaited news of a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. However, low storage levels are still a concern while weather forecasts remain mixed. LSEG data shows that the Dutch front-month contract has dropped by 0.55 euros to 40.65 Euro per megawatt hour at 0917 GMT. The Dutch May contract fell by 0.68 euros to 40.57 euros/MWh while the day-ahead contracts eased 0.20 euros to 40.80 euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was down by 1.01 pence, at 101.75 cents per therm.
French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Believe confirmed in its full-year report that it expected adjusted EBITDA in 2025 to increase by at least 35 percent, and it is still expecting positive free cash flow for 2025. Wolters Kluwer has priced a 500 million euro Eurobond with a maturity of seven years. Kering has appointed Demna to the position of artistic director at Gucci. Rubis stated in its annual update that the group EBITDA is expected to be between 710 million and 760 millions euros by 2025.
OPEC holds view that demand is not a concern, despite claims by Kazakhstan to lead the jump in OPEC+ production
OPEC announced on Wednesday that Kazakhstan was the country responsible for a significant increase in crude production in February by the wider OPEC+ group. This highlights a challenge facing the producer group to enforce adherence of agreed output targets. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reported that OPEC+ - which includes OPEC, Russia, and other allies - increased its output in February by 363,000 barrels a day, to 41,01 million bpd. Kazakhstan was the leading producer.
Trump's Energy dominance aims to attract more global companies to the US
Executives said that the market upheaval caused by U.S. president Donald Trump's protectionist policies on trade has not dampened interest from foreign investors in the U.S. Energy Industry. They praised his promise to reduce regulations and support fossil energies. Trump made energy dominance the cornerstone of his administration. He declared a national emergency on his first official day in office, and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. He has encouraged energy companies to increase fossil fuel production, and promised lower prices for consumers.
EIA predicts that US crude and gas production will reach record levels in 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Short Term Energy Outlook report (STEO), released on Tuesday, said that the U.S. production of crude oil, natural gas, and electricity will all reach record levels in 2025. The agency expects that crude oil production will average 13,61 million barrels a day (bpd), in 2025, and 13,76 million bpd by 2026. This is up from the 13.22 million bpd of 2024. The report also predicted that domestic consumption of petroleum and liquid fuels would increase to 20.5 millions bpd by 2025, and 20.6million bpd by 2026 from 20.3million bpd.
Spot prices rise due to lower German solar power
The European spot electricity prices for Wednesday increased on Tuesday, as the German solar power shortage was expected to be greater than gains from wind power and lower demand. German day-ahead electricity gained 1.2% at 0912 GMT to 125.75 Euros per Megawatt Hour. LSEG data shows that the French baseload rate for the day to come was up 10.4%, at 109.60 Euro/MWh. Ricardo Parviero, LSEG analyst, said: "German outlook is bullish once again. He added that a slight drop in demand, coupled with a modest increase in wind energy supplies, does not fully offset the decline in solar power.
Russell: China's commodity imports will continue to decline until 2025 due to economic and trade concerns
China's imports have been weak in 2025. This is in line with the recent trend of a softer economy. According to data released by the official customs on Friday, imports of crude, natural gas and iron ore, as well as copper, have all decreased in the first half of this year when compared to the same period of last year. The January-February period saw a rise in coal imports compared with the same period of 2024. However, the figures were significantly lower than in November and Decemeber, indicating that China's appetite is decreasing for the fuel.
Russell: China's commodity imports will continue to decline until 2025 due to economic and trade concerns
China's imports have been weak in 2025. This is in line with the recent trend of a softer economy. According to data released by the official customs on Friday, imports of crude, natural gas and iron ore, as well as copper, have all decreased in the first half of this year when compared to the same period of last year. The January-February period saw a rise in coal imports compared with the same period of 2024. However, the figures were significantly lower than in November and Decemeber, which suggests that China is losing interest in this fuel.
