Épisodes

  • Trump pressures the Fed as AI and copper surge - Jan 12, 2025

    Trump pressures the Fed as AI and copper surge - Jan 12, 2025
    Jan 12 2026
    As of January 12, today’s news highlights significant developments surrounding the Federal Reserve, U.S.-China relations, and the latest advancements in energy and technology sectors. The most notable highlight involves mounting pressure from President Donald Trump's administration on the Federal Reserve, targeting Chair Jerome Powell with threats of criminal indictment. This escalates an ongoing effort by Trump to exert greater control over the Fed, particularly concerning interest rates that he wishes to see cut. Meanwhile, Apple will use Google's Gemini models for its revamped Siri coming later this year under a multi-year deal that deepens the tech giants' alliance in the artificial intelligence era and bolsters Alphabet's position in the race against OpenAI. The deal announced Monday marks a major vote of confidence for Google. Turning to market updates, copper prices have shown an upward trend, inching towards record highs due to optimistic forecasts for demand in China, largely driven by the growth of data centers essential for artificial intelligence technologies. Benchmark copper prices recently rose by 1.6% to approximately 13,205 dollars per metric ton, buoyed by expectations for strong industrial demand, particularly in the electric vehicle sector and power grids. Meanwhile, Financial Times reported that Siemens Energy was the second-best performing German blue-chip stock in 2025, with its shares more than doubling, but the dramatic recovery has been too slow for some investors who see its struggling wind business weighing down its valuation. Looking at global scenarios, major oil companies have provided a sobering perspective on Trump's ambitious plans to invest in Venezuela's oil industry. The complexities surrounding security and legal matters pose significant hurdles to revitalizing the country’s production capabilities. The recent meeting between Trump and oil producers was perceived as a publicity win for the president but fell short of securing strong commitments for substantial investments. From Europe, the EU has established firm conditions for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to circumvent tariffs by committing to minimum pricing structures. This initiative aims to protect the European automotive industry from an influx of budget-friendly imports, an issue that has fueled trade tensions. Lastly, concerns have arisen over Trump's statements regarding Greenland, with European officials warning that a U.S. military takeover could jeopardize NATO's stability. This geopolitical tension has prompted discussions within both Denmark and the U.S. about the territory's future, underscoring the heightened global uncertainties.
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    3 min
  • EU’s Mercosur deal advances amid tariff uncertainty - Jan 9, 2025

    EU’s Mercosur deal advances amid tariff uncertainty - Jan 9, 2025
    Jan 9 2026
    As of January 9, today’s news features the EU’s push on global trade agreements and renewed M&A activity in the mining industry. European Union countries backed a trade deal with the so-called Mercosur bloc of countries in South America, paving the way for the EU to sign its largest free-trade agreement next week. EU ambassadors supported the deal at a meeting in Brussels today, despite the opposition of France and a number of countries, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, Glencore shares rose by almost 10% today following news it is in talks with Rio Tinto about a potential takeover that would create the world's largest mining group, valued at almost 207 billion dollars. While Glencore gained, Rio Tinto shares fell by as much as 3%, reflecting investor scepticism towards a deal and concerns it will overpay. Turning to market updates, copper and nickel prices are anticipated to finish the week on a high note despite a recent selloff driven by profit-booking after favorable price rallies. The London Metal Exchange reported a rebound in copper prices, reflecting ongoing supply constraints, particularly in the U.S. The recent fluctuations in prices underscore the dual challenges of inflationary pressures and tariff-related uncertainties, influencing market dynamics significantly. Looking at broader macro trends, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to announce rulings that may impact President Trump's global tariff regime, which has faced legal challenges questioning its legitimacy. This case could redefine presidential powers regarding economic controls, bearing implications for international trade and economic relations. In the energy sector, Barclays raised its price target for National Grid, referencing new growth opportunities in the UK energy landscape stemming from recent regulatory updates. Meanwhile, China is advocating for increased onsite renewable energy usage in industrial parks, indicating a strategic push for greener manufacturing processes. Amid these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had canceled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela following cooperation from the South American nation.
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    3 min
  • Trump’s tariffs face the Court and the Markets React - Jan 8, 2025

    Trump’s tariffs face the Court and the Markets React - Jan 8, 2025
    Jan 8 2026
    As of January 8, today’s news is dominated by the potential implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's deliberations on President Trump's emergency tariff powers and the resulting market risks. The Supreme Court is poised to rule on whether Trump can legally impose tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with a decision expected soon, as reported by Reuters. Analysts warn that striking down these tariffs could have significant repercussions for financial markets, potentially leading to substantial government refunds amounting to tens of billions of dollars and heightened volatility across equity markets. Current predictions indicate a 30% likelihood that the court will uphold the tariffs, which if deemed unlawful, would disrupt government revenue and economic stability, leading to increased Treasury yields. In related tariff news, U.S. consumers are facing record high prices for aluminum due to a combination of domestic tariffs and global supply shortages. Since President Trump doubled the tariffs on aluminum imports to 50% last June, prices have surged by 40%, now exceeding 5,200 euros per metric ton. This escalation impacts manufacturing costs across various industries, intensifying inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, growth in the AI and defense sectors will boost global copper demand 50% by 2040, but supplies are expected to fall short by more than 10 million metric tons annually without more recycling and mining, the consultancy S&P Global said today. On the corporate landscape, American Electric Power has committed to a 2.65 billion dollars deal to significantly advance its solid oxide fuel cell capabilities. This move includes the acquisition of 1,000 megawatts of fuel cell technology as part of a strategic shift towards more sustainable energy solutions. In the realm of technology, Samsung Electronics is forecasting a record profit for the fourth quarter of this year, projecting a three-fold increase to approximately 13.82 billion dollars, largely driven by the burgeoning demand for AI and memory chip products. This surge underscores the competitive pressure as chipmakers struggle to keep pace with market needs. On the international stage, President Trump’s recent move to assert control over Venezuela's oil revenue and facilitate the import of previously sanctioned Venezuelan crude into the U.S. demonstrates a strategic pivot aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere. This approach signals stark shifts in both foreign policy and energy regulations, raising questions about the potential impact on U.S. oil companies caught in the crossfire.
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    3 min
  • Why AI infrastructure is powering Prysmian’s rise - Jan 7, 2025

    Why AI infrastructure is powering Prysmian’s rise - Jan 7, 2025
    Jan 7 2026
    As of January 7, today’s news sees an analysis by Citywire on Prysmian’s positioning within the AI-driven infrastructure boom and renewed pressure on the UK’s energy transition. Citywire analysed Prysmian as an indirect beneficiary of the AI boom, highlighting its growing role in power grids and data-centre infrastructure. Drawing on insights from top-performing institutional investors, Citywire highlighted Prysmian’s strategic acquisitions, strong revenue growth and increasing exposure to the US market. Meanwhile, Britain increased the share of electricity generated from fossil fuels last year for the first time in four years, a reversal that highlights the challenges facing the government’s plan to run a clean power system by 2030, Bloomberg reported. In market developments, Nexans faced a sell-off, dropping by as much as 5% due to ongoing rescheduling activities concerning the Great Sea Interconnector project, which spawned investor concern about the company's execution timeline. Analysts have indicated that while the delay may not impact 2028 financial guidance, it raises questions about achieving expected earnings growth in their Power Transmission unit. On an international scale, tensions escalated as Orsted's Sunrise Wind project in the US faced a lease suspension, prompting plans for legal action against the government's decision, which has stunted the project at a crucial development phase. Meanwhile, Japan's nuclear watchdog halted reviews of Chubu Electric's nuclear plant due to mishandled seismic data in a significant regulatory setback for the company. In a broader scenario, geopolitical tensions have surfaced, particularly with China reportedly urging technology firms to pause orders for Nvidia's H200 chips, reflecting ongoing conflicts surrounding semiconductor trade with the US and domestic strategies in AI development. Finally, amidst heightened diplomacy, Ukraine's President Zelenskiy is advocating for a new meeting with US President Trump to discuss crucial security guarantees in light of ongoing peace negotiations regarding the conflict with Russia.
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    2 min
  • EU shields recycling as U.S. growth signals fade - Dec 23, 2025

    EU shields recycling as U.S. growth signals fade - Dec 23, 2025
    Dec 23 2025
    As of December 23, today’s news sees tighter European Union rules on plastic imports and fresh signals on the strength and potential slowdown of U.S. economic growth. The European Union will introduce stricter rules for imports of plastics, the European Commission said today, as it attempts to help European recycling plants that are struggling to compete with cheaper imports. Europe's plastics-recycling industry has lost more capacity in 2025 than in any previous year, with low-cost plastic imports and high energy costs driving plant closures in countries including the Netherlands, according to industry group Plastics Recyclers Europe. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy likely grew at a brisk clip in the third quarter, driven by solid consumer spending and business investment, but momentum appears to have since faded amid the rising cost of living and recent government shutdown. In the wind energy sector, 2025 is being forecasted as a challenging year due to a combination of policy reversals, notably under President Trump's administration, which has effectively halted offshore wind project work citing national security concerns, Reuters reported. Projects from major companies like Orsted and Dominion Energy face significant delays, prompting adverse reactions from industry stakeholders. Despite this, long-term expectations remain cautiously optimistic for 2026, as adjustments in auction policies and supply chains may drive renewed growth in the sector. On the corporate front, Alphabet has announced its acquisition of data center and energy infrastructure provider Intersect for 4.75 billion dollars. This move is part of Alphabet's strategy to bolster its computing and energy capabilities amidst an increasing demand driven by artificial intelligence developments. Meanwhile, the German government is poised to receive support from the European Commission for energy price aid aimed at sustaining manufacturing sectors dealing with high operational costs. Initiatives include capping energy prices for smaller companies, which further underscores the EU's focus on protecting industries from external competition. On the global stage, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday he was "sad" about U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed expression of interest in acquiring the Arctic territory.
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    3 min
  • Prysmian recycles the future as copper hits records - Dec 22, 2025

    Prysmian recycles the future as copper hits records - Dec 22, 2025
    Dec 22 2025
    As of December 22, today’s news is dominated by Prysmian’s strategic partnership with Eni's Versalis, alongside significant developments in the industrial and energy sectors. Prysmian and Versalis, Eni’s chemical company, have signed a strategic partnership to give new life to plastic cable scrap, through an innovative chemical recycling process, developing a dedicated supply chain, the company said in a statement. Following this agreement, Prysmian will collect plastic scrap from its own production as well as from decommissioned cables coming from major customers, while Versalis will use its Hoop technology at its Mantua plant, Italy, to transform the scrap first into a pyrolysis oil, and then into a new material for new plastic polymers. Prysmian will then use these polymers in the production of new high-performance cables. Meanwhile, after a year marked by tariff uncertainty, Europe’s industrial giants are expecting a solid 2026 as the data center buildout continues, electrification demand accelerates and manufacturing activity recovers. The Stoxx Europe 600 industrials index is expected to deliver earnings-per-share growth of almost 13% next year, compared to 6.6% growth in 2025, Bloomberg Intelligence data shows. Expectations are particularly high for the companies exposed to artificial intelligence infrastructure – including Prysmian, Schneider Electric and Siemens Energy. Turning to market updates, Nexans has entered exclusive negotiations to sell its Autoelectric division to Samvardhana Motherson International Limited for a deal valued at 207 million euros. This sale marks a strategic step in Nexans’s shift towards focusing on electrification, having divested various non-electrification businesses since 2023. The Autoelectric division, based in Germany, specializes in wiring solutions for the automotive sector, realizing approximately 749 million euros in annual sales. On the materials front, copper prices surged to record highs spurred by supply concerns and speculative trading. Benchmark prices on the London Metal Exchange reached nearly 11,996 dollars per metric ton, reflecting a 36% increase this year due to ongoing disruptions in mining operations and a tightening supply landscape. From an international perspective, US intelligence reports continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his aims of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said, even as negotiators seek an end to the war that would leave Russia with far less territory.
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    3 min
  • Copper rallies as AI chips face new scrutiny - Dec 19, 2025

    Copper rallies as AI chips face new scrutiny - Dec 19, 2025
    Dec 19 2025
    As of December 19, today’s news sees relevant developments in copper pricing and the artificial intelligence sector. Copper prices exhibited a notable increase today, buoyed by investor speculation surrounding potential U.S. interest rate cuts following slower consumer inflation reports. The most active copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange appreciated by 0.46%, although it concluded the week 1.07% lower overall. Meanwhile, the London Metal Exchange saw its benchmark three-month copper price rise by 0.29% to 11,812 dollars per ton, ending the week 2.53% higher. These fluctuations come amid a backdrop of ongoing supply constraints in the copper market, highlighted by bullish forecasts from Goldman Sachs. The firm reiterated its long-term outlook, predicting significant demand growth and targeting a price of 15,000 dollars per ton by 2035. In broader global scenarios, the U.S. administration has initiated a review of Nvidia's advanced AI chip sales to China, which could potentially mark a pivotal shift in technology trade relations. This development is being closely monitored amid concerns that such transactions might enhance China's military capabilities and affect U.S. advantages in AI technology. Elsewhere, as the Trump administration faces a deadline to release documents related to the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, there is mounting anticipation regarding the implications of these disclosures on political narratives in the U.S.
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    2 min
  • Prysmian lights Milan as markets and politics shift - Dec 18, 2025

    Prysmian lights Milan as markets and politics shift - Dec 18, 2025
    Dec 18 2025
    As of December 18, today’s news includes a corporate initiative by Prysmian aimed at celebrating its deep-rooted connection with the Milanese district of Bicocca through a series of symbolic holiday installations, and critical discussions among EU leaders regarding Ukraine. Prysmian has decided to mark the upcoming holiday season by underlining its historic links with Milan’s Bicocca district. Prysmian has marked the occasion by lighting a Christmas Tree in the middle of the Piazza Torre Breda, a place where thousands of residents, office workers and shoppers pass year-round. Prysmian has also illuminated over 4km of road, connecting the centre of the city to Bicocca – Viale Fulvio Testi – with colours and messages to underscore the spirit of energy, togetherness and home for visits coming into and leaving both Milan and the district this winter. Meanwhile, by 2025, Terna expects to bring into operation development infrastructure worth around 800 million euros. The results recorded over the year confirm the company’s commitment to strengthening the security and resilience of Italy’s national transmission grid, in support of the country’s energy transition. Since 2023, the value of projects delivered into full operation has exceeded 2 billion euros. Turning to international markets, China's Commerce Ministry announced new streamlined export licenses for rare earth elements, aiming to expedite shipments of these critical materials. While some exporters have met the basic requirements for permits, European firms have not confirmed receipt of such licenses yet, although discussions about them are ongoing within the European Commission. In the technology sector, Micron Technology's shares surged nearly 16% following a compelling profit forecast, fueled by a global memory chip shortage driven by strong demand from AI data centers. Traders indicated that prices in this segment are rising significantly, benefiting not just Micron but also its competitors. On another front, the European Union conducted a crucial summit to discuss the possibility of utilizing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's war efforts. EU leaders are under pressure to demonstrate unity and resolve, given their ongoing need to finance Ukraine amid geopolitical tensions. The European Commission has proposed leveraging these assets, mainly held in Belgium, to secure loans for Kyiv.
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    3 min