Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, plans to sign a USD 8 billion engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with US engineering firm KBR Inc. to build 17 modular refineries, according to two sources familiar with the matter and an official presentation by the Economic Ministry, as reported by Reuters. The contract is part of a trade pact reached last week between Indonesia and the US, which resulted in a reduction of proposed US tariffs, from 32% down to 19%. Indonesia's Economic Minister, Airlangga Hartarto, who served as chief negotiator for the deal, revealed...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) rebounded on Monday, recovering losses from the previous two sessions against the US Dollar (USD). The AUD/USD pair's upward movement was primarily driven by concerns over a potential slowdown in the US economy. The Aussie Dollar also received support from stronger-than-expected GDP growth and trade data from Australia released last week. On the monetary policy front, the latest Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Meeting Minutes indicated caution regarding further interest rate cuts, clarifying that February's rate reduction does not signal a commitment to...
Brent crude oil futures dropped to around $69.9 per barrel on Monday as weak economic data from China and uncertainty over U.S. tariffs fueled demand concerns. China's consumer prices fell for the first time in 13 months, while producer price deflation persisted, underscoring deflationary pressures in the world's largest crude importer. Oil remains under pressure as President Trump's shifting tariff policies raised concerns on economic growth and energy demand. While Trump eased some tariffs on Mexico and Canada until April 2, Canada's retaliatory tariffs remain in place, and China's...
Oil fell to near the lowest since September as weak economic data from China compounded a dour outlook for demand. Brent crude traded near $70 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was below $67 after seven weeks of declines. China's consumer inflation dropped by more than expected and was below zero for the first time in 13 months, highlighting persistent deflationary pressures in the world's biggest crude importer. Crude has been hit by a confluence of bearish factors, including an escalating global trade war, plans by OPEC and its allies to increase production, and talks to end the...
Gold edges higher in the early morning Asian session, supported by prospects of a U.S. recession that could enhance the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, President Trump refused to rule out a recession for the U.S. this year. "Traders and investors are reacting to a sharp and sudden deterioration in U.S. economic data," Saxo Bank's Ole S. Hansen says in a research report. Gold's outlook is still supportive, especially given the limited scope of its latest correction, which signals strong demand despite selling pressure from technically...
Oil prices gained on Friday but retreated from session highs after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened sanctions on Russia if it fails to reach a cease-fire with Ukraine. Brent crude futures settled at $70.36 a barrel, up 90 cents, or 1.3%. West Texas Intermediate futures finished at $67.04, up 68 cents, or 1.02%. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he was "strongly considering" sanctions on Russian banks and tariffs on Russian products because its armed forces continue attacks in Ukraine. In early trade, Brent jumped as high as $71.40, while WTI hit $68.22 after Russia's Deputy...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
It...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, plans to sign a USD 8 billion engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with US engineering firm KBR Inc. to build 17 modular...