Wall St Week Ahead: Fed outlook is in focus as US stock rally picks-up speed
Investors are hoping that the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates over the next few months. The rally has erased the fall caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs. S&P 500 has not changed much since April 2, when Trump announced his "Liberation Day tariffs" and sent the stock market into a tailspin. The Fed's monetary policy statement is expected to remain unchanged on Wednesday. However, the market prices indicate that the central banks could reduce borrowing rates as early as June. This expectation has dimmed after Friday's strong U.S. jobs report.
Wall St Week Ahead: Fed outlook is in focus as US stock rally picks-up speed
Investors are hoping that the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates over the next few months. The rally has nearly reversed the decline caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The S&P 500 has been down about 1% since the "Liberation Day", when Trump announced his tariffs. This led to some market volatility that was unprecedented in 50 years. The Fed is expected to keep borrowing rates the same when it announces its monetary policy on Wednesday. However, the market prices indicate that the central banks could reduce them as early as June.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, mainly due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January to April reached 34.6 million tons. This was by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period. The United States exported 26.5 million tonnes or 77% of its total volume to European countries. The European purchases were up by 49% compared to the first four months in 2024.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, primarily due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January through April was 34.6 million tons. This is by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period. The United States exported 26.5 million tonnes or 77% of its total volume to European countries. The European purchases were up by 49% compared to the first four months in 2024.
Palm closes at lowest level in 7 months due to higher production and stock levels
Malaysian palm futures continued to fall for the third session in a row on Wednesday, as market sentiment was still weighed down by concerns about higher production levels and increased inventories. The benchmark contract for palm oil delivery in July on Bursa Derivatives Exchange fell by 33 ringgit or 0.84% to 3,910 Ringgit ($906.77) per metric ton, the lowest price it has closed at since September 20 of last year. David Ng is a proprietary trader with Kuala Lumpur's Iceberg X Sdn Bhd.
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. ASM International, a manufacturer of computer chip equipment, announced that it would launch a 150 million euro share buyback. Casino, a French retailer, reported a 1.2% decline in first-quarter revenue at 2,00 billion euros. Credit Agricole, a French bank, announced that it would propose Jerome Grivet as its sole deputy CEO. UMG, the world's largest music label…
First Solar reduces its annual sales and profits forecast due to near-term tariff problems
First Solar lowered their annual sales and profits forecasts on Tuesday, citing near-term challenges due to the ongoing U.S. - China trade war. They also cited a tepid demand for residential solar in the United States. This sent its shares down by 11% after hours trading. The U.S. demand for residential solar has been weakening due to high rates of interest and new metering regulations in California, the top market. These reforms have decreased the credits that customers get when they feed excess electricity into the grid. In the first week of this month, U.S.
Expand Energy exceeds its quarterly profit expectations and expects minimal tariff impact
Expand Energy, the top U.S. producer of natural gas, beat analysts' expectations for first-quarter profits on Tuesday. This was due to higher natural gas production and prices, as well as a signal that tariffs will have a minimal impact in the near future. In extended trading, shares were up about 1 percent at $108.50. The average natural gas price has been rising over the last few quarters. On March 10, it reached a record high of two years, supported by record flows into LNG export facilities as well as concerns about supply leading up to summer.
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. Derichebourg Derichebourg established a partnership with LG Energy Solution to create a joint venture for battery recycling in the Northern region of Paris. On Monday evening, power began to return to some parts of the Iberian Peninsula after a massive outage that brought Spain and Portugal to an abrupt halt. The outage grounded planes, stopped public transport and forced hospitals to suspend their routine operations.
Strategie Grains trims sunseed to keep EU rapeseed forecast.
Strategie Grains, a consultancy in the United Kingdom, has kept its forecast for 2025/26 European Union Rapeseed Production unchanged for the third consecutive month. However it has reduced its outlook for next EU Sunflower Seed Crop. The consultant still expects rapeseed production, the EU's major oilseed crop to reach 19.0 million metric tonnes next season, which is 13% more than the volume of 2024/25. The production of sunseed is expected to be 10.5 million tonnes, down from the 10.6 million that was anticipated last month, but still 26% more than this season.
Palm oil prices rise on stronger edible oils and are set to gain weekly
Malaysian palm futures rose on Friday as the market regained confidence after a three-week loss streak. At midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange for July delivery gained 80 ringgit or 1.98% to 4,116 Ringgit ($940.80), a metric tonne. This week, the contract has increased by 3.55%. A Kuala Lumpur based trader reported that the price of crude palm oil futures was boosted by overnight gains in rival oilseeds. This included Chicago soyoil due to optimism regarding export demand for United States soyoil.
Finance Minister: Indonesia's growth in 2025 will be around 5%, despite trade tensions
Indonesia's growth will probably remain around 5% this year despite the trade tensions. The finance minister stated that a government delegation was still negotiating with Washington in order to avoid high tariffs. Minister's forecast is about the same as last year's growth rate of 5.03%. The government has set a target of 5.2% growth for this year, and President Prabowo Sulbianto has promised to raise the rate to 8% in 2029. The IMF's latest World Economic Outlook has downgraded Indonesian economic growth estimates for 2025 from 5.1% to 4.7%.
EQT will spend less and produce more US natgas by 2025
EQT Energy, the second largest natural gas producer in the United States, will reduce its capital expenditure but increase energy production by 2025. Range Resources, on their part, said they would keep both output and spending relatively constant from 2024. Companies released their first quarter earnings reports and spending plans on Tuesday. The U.S. Gas Prices are forecast to increase in 2025. This year, companies will likely pull out record amounts of gas. EQT plans to spend between $1.950 and $2.70 billion in maintenance capital by 2025…
US oilfield service firms prepare for earnings as tariffs cloud the outlook
The results next week should provide an insight into how the top three oilfield service companies in the world are dealing with the uncertainty caused by the U.S. trade tariffs and the recent drop in oil prices. Donald Trump campaigned on the slogan "drill, baby, drill" to increase U.S. production of oil and gas. However his extensive levies have fueled an international trade war and raised concerns about demand destruction. Brent crude is hovering around $66.65 per barrel. It was as low as $58.40 a barrel on April 9, but has since recovered to hover at $66.65.
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. The Engineering group, GTT, reported revenues for the first quarter of 190.5 millions euros ($216.18million) on Thursday. It also confirmed its full-year goals. CARMILA On Thursday, the company announced that its gross rental revenue for the first three months of the year was 112 million euro. It also proposed a dividend in cash of 1.25 euros per shares. GECINA Gecina announced on Thursday a first quarter gross revenue of 180 millions euros.
As wind power declines, prompt prices are rising sharply
The strong anticipated loss in wind power supply has boosted European spot electricity prices on Tuesday. This overrides the effects of weaker demand before holidays later this week. LSEG's research showed that Germany would rely on imports in the near future and that thermal production was not changing much. LSEG data shows that the price of French baseload electricity for Wednesday at 0725 GMT was 41 euros ($46.51), an increase of 134.3%. The German baseload day-ahead bid was 86 Euros/MWh after closing at 66.5 Euros.
EIA: US natgas production and demand will reach record highs by 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) Short-Term Energy Outlook, published on Thursday, said that both the U.S. Natural Gas output and demand would reach record highs by 2025. EIA projects that dry gas production in 2026 will increase from 103.2 billion cubic feet per day in 2024, to 105.3 in 2025, and 107.1 in 2026. This compares to a record-breaking 103.6 bcfd for 2023. The agency projected that domestic gas consumption will rise from 90.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2024, to 91.2 in 2025 and then ease back to 90.5 in 2026.
US EIA warns that tariffs and trade uncertainties will lower oil demand
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) monthly short-term Energy Outlook report on Thursday said that recent developments in global trade policies are expected to reduce global oil and fuel consumption growth through 2026. As a result of the uncertainty created by a possible lower global growth rate and higher oil supplies, the U.S. Department of Energy’s statistical arm has cut its forecasts of U.S. oil demand and global oil consumption growth for this year and next. Since U.S. president Donald Trump announced last week a blanket 10% duty on all U.S.
EIA: US power consumption will reach new highs by 2025 and 26.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration announced in its Short Term Energy Outlook on Thursday that the U.S. will reach new records in power consumption in 2025 and in 2026. EIA projects that power demand will increase to 4,201 billion Kilowatt Hours (kWh) by 2025, and 4,244 trillion kWh by 2026. This is a significant rise from the record 4,097 kWh of 2024. These increases are due to the growth of data centers dedicated for artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and home and business use. EIA predicts that by 2025, residential customers will consume 1,527 billion kWh of electricity.
After US tariff pause, prices of gas in Europe rebounded
The prices of Dutch and British gasoline rebounded Thursday, after U.S. president Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension on tariffs on many trading partners. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract increased by 1.5 euros, to 34.70 Euros per megawatt hour or $11.21/mmBtu at 0818 GMT. LSEG data show that the contract reached a low intraday of 32.50 euro/MWh on Wednesday. This was its lowest level since July 2024. The Dutch June contract increased by 2.31 euros to 35.91 Euro/MWh. The British day-ahead contracts was up by 2.4 pence to 85.15p/therm.
