Global semiconductor trade volumes reached an 18-month high in April 2026, according to data released by the Semiconductor Industry Association on Thursday, with total monthly shipments valued at $58.4 billion — up 14.3% year-on-year and 3.1% month-on-month. The surge is being driven almost entirely by AI infrastructure spending, with data…
The US dollar softened broadly against a basket of Asian currencies on Thursday, June 4, with the dollar index falling 0.7% to 101.3 after Federal Reserve minutes released late Wednesday signalled that policymakers remain divided over the timing of the first interest rate cut. The Japanese yen strengthened to 147.2…
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures surged 6.2% to $6.84 per bushel on Thursday, June 4, their sharpest single-session gain in three months, as shipping brokers reported a sharp fall in vessel bookings through Black Sea export corridors. Traders cited renewed concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain grain shipment volumes…
European natural gas futures climbed to €42 per megawatt-hour on Thursday, June 4, as utilities across Germany, France, and the Netherlands ramped up injection programmes ahead of the winter heating season. European gas storage currently sits at 56% capacity, below the five-year seasonal average of 63%, raising concerns among energy…
Gold has maintained elevated prices above $4,500 per troy ounce in May 2026, trading near all-time highs reached earlier this year as the US-Iran conflict continues to sustain significant safe-haven demand. While the metal briefly pulled back from its April peak above $4,600 amid the early ceasefire talks, prices have…
Average global container shipping rates have held in the $2,100–$2,200 per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) range through May 2026, reflecting a market in a state of cautious equilibrium. According to BRF Logistics, rates remain stable with slight upward pressure — a product of ongoing geopolitical disruptions in key corridors and…
Cocoa futures have climbed toward $4,180 per tonne — the highest level in nearly two weeks — driven by a combination of short covering and fresh supply concerns out of Ivory Coast. The world’s largest cocoa producer has seen heavy rainfall cause widespread flooding in key growing regions, disrupting farming…
Ofgem confirmed on May 27 that the UK energy price cap will rise by 13% from 1 July 2026, pushing annual bills for a typical dual-fuel household to approximately £1,862 — an increase of £221 per year. The regulator cited the cascading impact of the US-Iran war on global gas…
The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high of 7,563 on Thursday, May 28, extending a powerful equity rally driven by technology and artificial intelligence stocks. The benchmark index has now risen more than 10% from its March lows, when the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict briefly rattled investor sentiment…