Copper Rises for 5th Straight Session

U.S. and South Korean Nuclear Companies Sign Agreement

U.S. and South Korean officials have pledged cooperation in several industries, which could include nuclear energy and shipbuilding.

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The Ukrainian Attacks That Are Forcing Russia to Ration Its Fuel

The late Sen. John McCain once called Russia "a gas station with nukes." Now, because of Ukrainian attacks, it must ration fuel.

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Orsted Shares Tumble After U.S. Issues Stop-Work Order on Wind Project

The Danish energy giant's shares fell 16% amid President Trump's opposition to wind power.

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Sasol Swings to Profit Despite Challenging Environment

The chemicals-and-energy group swung to earnings per share profit-despite lower turnover-and said it wouldn't pay a final dividend.

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Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk

Find insight on crude futures, Orsted, China Aviation Oil and more in the latest Market Talks covering energy and utilities.

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Europe's Fragile Energy Lifeline Exposed by Ukraine's Strikes in Russia

Ukraine's attacks, encouraged by President Trump, have disrupted flows and triggered angry reactions from regional leaders.

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Cenovus Energy to Buy MEG Energy in $5.68 Billion Oil-Sands Tie-Up

Cenovus Energy said its proposed buyout of rival MEG Energy will unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings by consolidating their neighboring oil-sands operations in Alberta.

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Why Solar and Wind Power Can Thrive Without Subsidies

Rising electricity demand, in part due to AI needs, along with the increasing cost of alternatives should cushion the impact for green energy.

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Oil Futures Gain as Russia-Ukraine Peace Seems Distant

Oil futures posted weekly gains as efforts toward negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war looked like they'll take longer than it previously appeared.

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Sinopec's First-Half Net Profit Slid on Low Oil Prices

China's biggest oil refiner, better known as Sinopec, attributed the weaker results to a sharp drop in international crude oil prices and the sluggish gross profit margin in the chemical market.

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U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Fall More Than Expected

Crude oil stocks decreased by 6 million barrels last week as imports fell and exports rose.

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NorthWestern Energy, Black Hills Set to Merge

NorthWestern Energy Group and Black Hills have agreed to combine to form a large $7.8 billion regulated electric and natural gas utility company at a time of climbing energy demand across the U.S.

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Woodside Wants to Sell 20%-30% of Louisiana LNG Holding Company

Woodside Energy could retain as much as 80% of the holding company for its $17.5 billion Louisiana LNG project in the U.S. as it progresses talks with potential partners.

Silver prices climbed above $38.7 per ounce on Tuesday, rebounding from the previous session’s losses after US President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud.

The move fueled concerns about the Fed’s independence and its ability to maintain monetary policy free from political influence.

Analysts noted that Cook’s dismissal could raise the likelihood of earlier interest rate cuts, given Trump’s persistent pressure on the central bank to lower borrowing costs.

On the industrial side, silver demand was underpinned by strong photovoltaic sector data from China.

Recent figures showed that Chinese solar cell exports surged more than 70% in the first half of the year, driven largely by robust demand from India.

This came after China installed over 93 gigawatts of solar capacity in May, a record high and a 300% year-on-year increase, ahead of policy changes that will make it more difficult to connect new panels to the grid.

Iron ore futures rise in early Asian trade. Gains are likely due to latest disruptions to supply as Rio Tinto suspended all activities at its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea following the death of a worker, the ANZ Research team says in a note. Sentiment is also likely helped by China's steps to support the property sector such as easing home-buying rules in Shanghai, they say. "The measures may look modest, but they raise hopes of further policy support for the housing market," they add. The most-traded iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange is 0.2% higher at CNY783.5 a ton. (kimberley.kao@wsj.com)

Palm oil futures fall in early Asian trade,tracking declines in soybean oil overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade, Phillip Capital says in a note. A smaller price gap between soybean oil and palm oil reduces the competitiveness of palm oil, it adds. Phillip Capital expects crude palm oil futures to find support at 4,400 ringgit a ton for now, and face resistance at 4,600 ringgit a ton. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives November contract falls 18 ringgit to 4,474 ringgit a ton. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

Gold prices rose above $3,370 per ounce on Tuesday, reaching its highest level in two weeks amid heightened political uncertainty after President Donald Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

On Monday, Trump announced on social media that he was removing Cook, citing his administration’s allegations of mortgage fraud — a move that has fueled concerns over the US central bank’s independence.

Meanwhile, Fed Chair Jerome Powell last Friday signaled a possible rate cut in September, highlighting growing risks to the labor market but also noting inflation remained a threat and that no decision has been finalized.

Currently, markets are assigning an 83% probability of a 25bps rate cut next month.

Investors are now awaiting Friday’s release of the PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, for further clues on the trajectory of US monetary policy.

Copper gains in Asian trading, with the three-month LME contract climbing 0.5% to $9,846.50 a ton. Copper is likely to gain more interest as the U.S. looks to place more importance on the metal, say ANZ Research analysts in a note. The U.S. Geological Survey has proposed adding copper to the 2025 draft list of critical minerals. The potential inclusion would lead to funding incentives and streamlined permitting for exploration, mining and processing projects, they add. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)