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Beef cow slaughter declines 11% for the year | Weekly Livestock Market Update for 1/26/24​


13:41
 
Weekly SD Bullion Market Update

Watch on youtube for a transcript below the vid.

Recent Bullion Price Weakness Will Too Pass​


13:53
 

Trafigura assesses Red Sea risks after tanker attacked by Houthis​

DUBAI, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Commodities trader Trafigura said on Saturday it was assessing the security risks of further Red Sea voyages after firefighters put out a blaze on a tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi group a day earlier.

The U.S. military said a U.S. Navy ship and other vessels provided assistance after the Marlin Luanda was hit by a Houthi anti-ship missile.

"No further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden and we continue to assess carefully the risks involved in any voyage, including in respect of security and safety of the crew, together with shipowners and customers," a Trafigura statement said.

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Take Five: Over to the Fed​

(Reuters) -The Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, grabbing the baton from the ECB and the Bank of Japan, hold their first meetings of the year while U.S. tech giants and Europe banks report results and China's woes persist.

Here's a look at the week ahead in world markets from Rae Wee in Singapore, Ira Iosebashvili and Lewis Krauskopf in New York, Naomi Rovnick and Tommy Wilkes in London.

1/ FED FORWARD

The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged at its Jan. 30-31 meeting with markets hunting for clues on when the world's top central bank will start trimming borrowing costs after one of the most aggressive tightening cycles in decades.

Expectations for rate cuts as soon as March sparked an explosive end-2023 stocks and bonds rally. Investors still believe cuts are coming this year, but stronger-than-expected data and a policymaker pushback have sapped conviction for a first quarter rate move.

Signs that Fed Chief Jerome Powell backs holding rates higher for slightly longer could give a tailwind to some of the moves the rates rethink has unleashed, such as a rebound in Treasury yields and the dollar.

Markets will watch the U.S. Treasury's quarterly refunding announcements, with overall funding totals due on Jan. 29 and maturity breakdowns on Jan. 31. Worries over U.S. government debt issuance contributed to an autumn bond rout.

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Why Trucks In America Are Under Attack​

Jan 21, 2024
Cargo theft has more than doubled in just a year as thieves are vanishing millions of dollars worth of goods. Strategic cargo theft is surging, where criminals engage in internet-based fraud. CNBC visited supply chain risk management company Overhaul’s Louisville, Kentucky operations to get an inside look at how the industry is fighting back. Watch the video above to learn more about how thieves are infiltrating U.S. supply chains and what it takes to prevent hidden heists, identity theft and more.


9:00
 

Red Sea crisis. Context, implications, capabilities and outlook​

Jan 30, 2024

A campaign of attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Yemeni rebel group Ansar Allah prompted a sharp decline in transits through the critical waterway and an armed response by a coalition of countries led by the United States. In this webinar Janes analysts assess the economic implications of the crisis, its context in the Yemen conflict, the anti-ship capabilities of Ansar Allah, and the capabilities of naval forces in theatre.


46:44

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Janes-intel/videos
 

 

 

Focus: Walmart and Adidas cargo aboard, one ship's voyage to avoid the Red Sea​

January 31, 20246:19 AM EST Updated 6 min ago

  • From fridges to fashion, Houthi attacks divert consumer goods
  • Red Sea crisis latest blow to idea of seamless global trade
  • Attacks prompt Walmart, others to rethink supply chains
  • Fast-fashion particularly exposed
  • ASOS has turned to UK factories to cut transport times
LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - When the Maersk Tanjong set sail from Thailand on Dec. 2, headed towards the Suez Canal to reach the U.S. East Coast, it was carrying cargo for retailers and clothing brands including Walmart (WMT.N), opens new tab, H&M (HMb.ST), opens new tab, Adidas (ADSGn.DE), opens new tab and ASOS , import and shipping data shows.

On Dec. 17, it turned south to circumnavigate Africa's Cape of Good Hope, after Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), opens new tab paused sending vessels to the Suez through the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks on shipping have triggered delays, costs and uncertainty across global consumer and retail markets.

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Protesting French Farmers Heap Praise On ‘Clarkson's Farm' As They Lay Siege To Paris​

French farmers, who are currently blockading Paris with their tractors to protest the economic crisis facing the country's agricultural sector, have found an unlikely hero in Jeremy Clarkson.

The controversial TV presenter has won praise from the protestors for his Amazon Prime Video Series Clarkson's Farm, following his attempts to run his Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, and public backing of British farming.

"We need one of our French celebrities to do the same thing as Jeremy Clarkson in Amazon Prime Series Clarkson's Farm," protesting French farmer Robi Leduc told a reporter from the UK's The Telegraph newspaper.

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Metals: The Day Will Revolve Around the FED Monetary Decision at 1PM Central; Ira's Video 1 30 2024​


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This one is a bit political, nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab. 24 minutes long.

GATA's Steer talks silver deficit, China's gold accumulation, and confiscation - 12:48p ET Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Dear Friend of GATA and Gold: GATA board member Ed Steer, publisher of Ed Steer's Gold & Silver Digest, was just interviewed by radio talk-show host Dave Janda on WAAM-AM600 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, discussing, among other things, the structural deficit in silver, China's heavy accumulation of gold, and the possibility of government confiscation of privately o...
 

Norway wealth fund posts record $213 billion profit, driven by tech stocks​

OSLO (Reuters) –Norway‘s $1.6 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, reported a record profit of 2.22 trillion crowns ($213 billion) in 2023, driven by strong returns on its investments in technology stocks.

The result compared with a record loss in 2022 of 1.64 trillion crowns when tech stocks fell, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) said on Tuesday.

“2023 ended a lot better than expected,” NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen told a press conference.

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The US is at an Inflection Point in International Maritime Affairs & Needs Reforms​

Jan 31, 2024
In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discussed the letter from 17 members of Congress highlighting the poor state of the US maritime sector and proposing three recommendations to reform it amid threats from China and Houthi, and decades of neglect and decline.


15:29
 
Nothing to see, can listen in one tab, play around the forum in a different tab. 47 mins long.

Federica Maiorano | Shipping, Crude, Middle East, Panama Canal, Spot Ship, Shipbrokers, StartUps​

Federica Maiorano is the Chief Commercial Officer at Spot Ship, and one of the most influential speakers on energy, shipping and material. In this episode, Federica tells why she got interested in shipping, and what she hopes to achieve with the shipping startup Spot Ship. We also cover some stories and trends on the Crude Market, Middle East and Panama Canal. Hope you enjoy the episode!



00:00 - Intro
01:53 - Crude Market
06:40 - Middle East
12:25 - Panama Canal
21:30 - What Will Happen With Energy And Oil In 2024?
25:05 - Why Pursue A Career In Shipping?
33:20 - Life As A Ship Broker
36:45 - Spot Ship
41:30 - Startups In The Shipping Industry
45:50 - Favorite Books
 

Commodity Roundup: Gold snaps 3-day rally; JPM sees Brent hitting high $80s by May​

Gold prices ticked lower on Thursday, snapping three consecutive session of gains after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pushed back strongly against expectations of a U.S. rate cut by March. However, losses were limited against the current geo-political backdrop supported bids for safe-haven assets.

The yellow metal is considered a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainties but higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset. Spot gold (XAUUSD:CUR), which was down -0.26% to $2,031.91 an ounce by 6 am ET, fell 1.2% in January, it's first monthly decline in four.

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Google has penned its biggest deal yet to purchase offshore wind power for its data centers in Europe.

The tech giant has signed up to offtake 478 MW of two wind farms off the coast of the Netherlands developed by Crosswind and Ecowende – joint ventures between supermajor Shell and Dutch utility Eneco.

 

De-dollarization Accelerates As UAE Makes First Digital Payment to China.​

Feb 2, 2024

18:21
 

Western miners lag as oil powers enter race for Africa's critical metals​

By Felix Njini and Clara Denina

JOHANNESBURG/LONDON (Reuters) - Risk aversion is likely to leave major Western miners lagging in a race to tap Africa's reserves of critical raw materials that has gathered pace now Middle Eastern oil powers have begun to emulate China's years of investment on the continent.

Attracting the capital needed to advance copper, cobalt, nickel and lithium projects in Africa will be high on the agenda when executives, bankers and government officials gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for the annual African Mining Indaba beginning on Monday.

For the big listed miners, the problem is convincing board members anxious to keep shareholders onside, an issue China and the state-backed funds from the Middle East with a mandate to diversify from oil and gas do not face.

Major mining companies' mergers and acquisitions teams have been busy negotiating in countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's top cobalt supplier, and third biggest source of copper. Potential deals in the country, however, are being held up in the boardrooms of Rio Tinto and BHP Group, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

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Red Sea Shipping Impacts to Be Felt This Summer, Says Breakwave Advisors’ Kartsonas​

Supply chain’s departure from “just-in-time” logistics since the COVID-19 is helping to limit short-term impacts from Red Sea shipping disruption, according to John Kartsonas, managing partner of Breakwave Advisors.

Kartsonas says Global supply chains are now stronger than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, but he warns of potential impacts should Red Sea disruption continue for an extended period.

Breakwave Advisors is known for being the Commodity Trading Advisor for the Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF (NYSE: BDRY) and the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (NYSE: BWET).

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New Jersey hikes truck insurance minimum to $1.5M, higher than most states​


A recent change in New Jersey law requires a significant increase in the amount of coverage a large commercial vehicle must carry, raising the requirement to $1.5 million.

While some state legislators have been pursuing the change for several years, the final bill was approved last month and signed by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

Backers of the law declined to answer several questions emailed by FreightWaves regarding the specifics of the law. Various websites tied to insurance companies have differing numbers on what was required previously under New Jersey law, with some hazardous material trucks said to need $5 million in coverage. But most of the reviews of the existing law put the requirements at well under the new mandate of $1.5 million.

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All cattle and calves 98.1% of year-ago levels | Weekly Livestock Market Update for 2/2/24​

Feb 2, 2024


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Doug Casey's Take [ep.#303] Arrested for "Guilty Knowledge"​

Feb 4, 2024
In-Depth Conversation on Social, Economic and Political Issues: Q&A with Doug

In this enlightening discussion, Doug tackles various topics proposed by viewers. These include his thoughts on the historical context and potential future implications of laws introduced during World War I, as well as troubling instances of internment and political persecution. He also discusses societal divides in the US, the pros and cons of immigration, and the future of America under different political parties. The conversation touches on the education system and its inadequacies, the potential benefits or drawbacks of having a mortgage, and the current economic climate. Doug's nuanced perspective presents a thoughtful exploration of complex issues.


47:45

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:05 Discussing Historical Laws and Their Impact
00:56 Exploring Cases of Unjust Imprisonment
02:23 Reflecting on the Role of the U.S. in World War I
03:25 Examining the Internment of Japanese-Americans in World War II
04:09 The Dangers of Total War and State Control
04:54 Predicting Future State Control and Suppression
06:34 Viewer Questions: Socialism vs Capitalism
21:49 The Importance of Self-Education and Entrepreneurship
33:28 Considering Immigration and Its Impact on Society
41:31 Dealing with Debt and the Challenges of Speculation
44:59 Predicting the Political Future of America
47:33 Conclusion
 

Ukraine Farm Exports From Odesa Seaports 14.3M Tons Since August​

(Bloomberg) —Ukraine’s agriculture exports from Odesa-region seaports have reached 14.3 million tons since August, when a new Black Sea shipping corridor was set up.

The war-torn nation is pressing ahead with the shipment of commodities, mostly grains, after Russia last summer pulled out of a safe-transit agreement brokered a year earlier by Turkey and the United Nations.

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Morning Bid: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May​

February 5, 20246:03 AM EST

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets by Alun John

Markets, until last week's blowout jobs numbers, were all but certain that the Federal Reserve would have cut interest rates by its May meeting - the question was whether that first reduction would come in March, or at the May meeting itself.

Now even a May rate cut is less certain. Market pricing reflects roughly a 30% chance the Fed will still be holding rates at its current level after that meeting, down from around 10% a week ago, and less than 5% at the start of the year, according to CME's FedWatch tool, opens new tab.

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Why is Switzerland home to so many billionaires?​

Feb 5, 2024

Switzerland is populated with billionaires — there's one for every 80,000 people.
As of 2022, the country was home to an estimated 110 billionaires with a combined wealth of $338 billion, outranking other super-rich hotspots such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Swiss residents are also among the richest in the world, with a mean net worth of almost $700,000, ahead of U.S. and Hong Kong.
So, what makes Switzerland such an attractive place for the uber wealthy, and how does that extreme wealth affect the rest of Swiss society?
Watch the video to find out.


7:23
 
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