Key Aluminum Spread In London Hits Biggest Backwardation Since 2007 Aluminum futures in London surged to a four-year high on Monday as President Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade , set to take effect this morning, threatened to deepen supply chain disruptions across the Gulf region. On top of that, the Gulf's largest aluminum producer declared force majeure on parts of its contract book over the w...
Key Aluminum Spread In London Hits Biggest Backwardation Since 2007 Aluminum futures in London surged to a four-year high on Monday as President Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade , set to take effect this morning, threatened to deepen supply chain disruptions across the Gulf region. On top of that, the Gulf's largest aluminum producer declared force majeure on parts of its contract book over the weekend. Aluminum climbed 1.4% to $3,547 per ton on the London Metal Exchange as traders priced in increased shipment disruption risk ahead of President Trump's Hormuz blockade, which U.S. officials said would take effect at 10:00 a.m. New York time on Monday. The move extends a broader war-driven rally in industrial metals, with aluminum up about 18% year to date , as the market remains gripped by supply fears and tightening Gulf flows. Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), the Gulf's largest aluminum producer, recently halted operations at its Al Taweelah smelter following Iranian missile and drone strikes. By Saturday, Bloomberg had obtained documents indicating that EGA declared force majeure on parts of its contract book . EGA is jointly owned by Mubadala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi and the Investment Corporation of Dubai, and it reported 2.83 million tons of cast metal sales in 2025, indicating on its website that it accounted for 4% of the world's aluminum production. The broader Middle East accounts for about 9% of global aluminum supply . One of the clearest signs of stress in aluminum markets is the front-end squeeze in the LME curve. The cash-to-three-month spread jumped 37% to $91.50 a ton from $66.70 on Friday, marking the biggest backwardation since 2007 and signaling a scramble among traders for metal supply. Earlier this month, Goldman commodity specialist James McGeoch told clients, " Hard to think of a bigger metal supply shock : High degree of expectation this was where it was heading, but the initial reaction was to fade the uncertainty yesterday, that shou...
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) stock skyrocketed to an all-time high in September 2025, but has since plummeted more than 57%, down to about $138 per share as of April 11. A broader technology sell-off coincided with nervous investors questioning Oracle's heavy capital expenditures, sending the stock downward. For opportunistic and patient investors, this has created an excellent window to purchase shares of...
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) stock skyrocketed to an all-time high in September 2025, but has since plummeted more than 57%, down to about $138 per share as of April 11. A broader technology sell-off coincided with nervous investors questioning Oracle's heavy capital expenditures, sending the stock downward. For opportunistic and patient investors, this has created an excellent window to purchase shares of the technology giant . Oracle has a tremendous backlog. The company's Remaining Performance Obligations (RPOs) hit $553 billion in the third quarter of Oracle's 2026 fiscal year. This RPO level is up 325% year over year. In its latest quarterly report, Oracle's overall revenue rose 22% year over year. In the cloud infrastructure division, Oracle reported a spectacular 84% increase in revenue, bringing the segment closer to $5 billion. Continue reading
Bet_Noire/iStock via Getty Images Throw a dart at the Energy sector, and you'll probably land on a winner over the last six months. Back to the beginning of November, the United States Oil ETF ( USO ) is higher by 72%, last week's dip included. The Energy Select Sector ETF ( XLE ) has returned 32% over that stretch. Over the last year, however, shares of ONEOK ( OKE ) are up just 12% on a total re...
Bet_Noire/iStock via Getty Images Throw a dart at the Energy sector, and you'll probably land on a winner over the last six months. Back to the beginning of November, the United States Oil ETF ( USO ) is higher by 72%, last week's dip included. The Energy Select Sector ETF ( XLE ) has returned 32% over that stretch. Over the last year, however, shares of ONEOK ( OKE ) are up just 12% on a total return basis. I have a buy rating on the stock. With a high 5.0% dividend yield , I expect positive performance in the quarters ahead. Earnings growth is ongoing, while the now $54 billion market cap equity's technical situation is strong. I'll detail it all today, as uncertainty now surrounds the broader Energy sector. ONEOK Lags YoY stockcharts.com Back in February, ONEOK reported a decent set of quarterly results. Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.55, topping the Wall Street consensus forecast of $1.49, while adjusted EBITDA tallied $2.15 billion, closer to in-line with estimates. Shares plunged more than 5% in the session that followed, however. It was the stock's fifth consecutive post-earnings loss. Looking ahead to the April 28 Q1 report, the options market prices in a moderate 4.6% earnings-related stock price swing based on the at-the-money straddle expiring soonest after the release. Implied volatility isn't too high right now, near 31%, suggesting about a 2% daily swing. The next dividend date is slated for May 5. Finally, short interest on OKE is notable at 4.3%. Looking back on the quarter that was, despite reporting Q4 EBITDA that was essentially in line with expectations, ONEOK provided a 2026 guidance midpoint of $8.1 billion, which was a bit shy of consensus. The company had faced a $150 million commodity challenge related to NGL prices last year and reduced benefits from the Waha spread. And there was an unexpected $85 million headwind in its corporate and other segments over the October-December period, along with higher interest costs. What's more, flat guidance for Bakke...
Brecon Cathedral Created in just a week with a cast of rising stars and amateur singers, Mid Wales Opera’s production – and its heart-wrenching ending – is a remarkable achievement M id Wales Opera undertake their OpenStages productions with a positively missionary zeal, nurturing both their local communities and up-and-coming singing talent. So full marks – if not the full five stars – to them fo...
Brecon Cathedral Created in just a week with a cast of rising stars and amateur singers, Mid Wales Opera’s production – and its heart-wrenching ending – is a remarkable achievement M id Wales Opera undertake their OpenStages productions with a positively missionary zeal, nurturing both their local communities and up-and-coming singing talent. So full marks – if not the full five stars – to them for this staging of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, realised remarkably over a single intensive week of work. Given the way the composer tailored his 1689 opera for the ladies of Josias Priest’s boarding school in Chelsea, it was an entirely appropriate choice. A motley crew of amateurs formed a chorus variously portraying Carthaginian courtiers, followers of a witches’ coven and sailors. Well-schooled in the characteristic physical gestures and movements, with singing similarly ranging from lusty roistering to sadly sober, they gave it their all. The greater vocal polish came from the young cast, some already launched on singing careers, all handled with the utmost care by conductor Jonathan Lyness, notably in his accompaniment to their recitatives. Continue reading...
CoTec ( CTH:CA ) announced on Monday that it has received gross proceeds of approximately $19.9M from the exercise of 16.6M warrants pursuant to its warrant acceleration announced on March 4, 2026. The warrant exercise represents 95.6% of the 17.3M warrants subject to the warrant acceleration. The unexercised warrants expired on Friday, April 10, 2026. The company issued 16.6M common shares pursua...
CoTec ( CTH:CA ) announced on Monday that it has received gross proceeds of approximately $19.9M from the exercise of 16.6M warrants pursuant to its warrant acceleration announced on March 4, 2026. The warrant exercise represents 95.6% of the 17.3M warrants subject to the warrant acceleration. The unexercised warrants expired on Friday, April 10, 2026. The company issued 16.6M common shares pursuant to the warrant exercise, increasing the total common shares outstanding to 115.14M. Julian Treger , CoTec CEO, commented, "We are very pleased with the successful outcome of the warrant acceleration during a challenging time in the markets. This is testimony to the continued support of our shareholders and recognition of the compelling value proposition of our Company." Source: Press Release More on CoTec Holdings Financial information for CoTec Holdings
Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha More on Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Earnings: Financial Sector Looking At 'Average' Quarter; A Quick Look At Goldman's Numbers Goldman Sachs: Selloff Represents Good Entry Point For Investors Goldman Sachs: Capital Markets Titan At A Discounted Valuation Goldman Sachs GAAP EPS of...
Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha Seeking Alpha More on Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Earnings: Financial Sector Looking At 'Average' Quarter; A Quick Look At Goldman's Numbers Goldman Sachs: Selloff Represents Good Entry Point For Investors Goldman Sachs: Capital Markets Titan At A Discounted Valuation Goldman Sachs GAAP EPS of $17.55 beats by $1.16, revenue of $17.23B beats by $300M Wall Street trading desks poised for $40B quarter amid geopolitical turmoil
The UAE AI Construction Project Management Market offers opportunities in smart city project expansion, enhancing urban infrastructure and sustainability with government backing. Collaborating with tech startups can optimize AI tools for the construction sector, boosting efficiency and reducing costs.Dublin, April 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UAE AI Construction Project Management Market Size...
The UAE AI Construction Project Management Market offers opportunities in smart city project expansion, enhancing urban infrastructure and sustainability with government backing. Collaborating with tech startups can optimize AI tools for the construction sector, boosting efficiency and reducing costs.Dublin, April 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UAE AI Construction Project Management Market Size, Share & Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.The UAE AI
TanyaJoy/iStock via Getty Images The U.S. fertility rate has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded , according to fresh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3.6M babies were born in the U.S. in 2025, translating into 53 births for every 1,000 women of reproductive age. That's nearly 20% lower than it was two decades ago, with half of all American women now reaching t...
TanyaJoy/iStock via Getty Images The U.S. fertility rate has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded , according to fresh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3.6M babies were born in the U.S. in 2025, translating into 53 births for every 1,000 women of reproductive age. That's nearly 20% lower than it was two decades ago, with half of all American women now reaching the age of 30 without becoming mothers. Times have changed: It wasn't that long ago that demographers were worried about overpopulation and economic scarcity. In fact, that seemed to be the prevailing worldview for decades and only inverted over the last several years. Many women are now waiting longer for children, having less than the replacement rate, or choosing not to have kids at all. If the clampdown on immigration also continues, the total U.S. population is expected to peak around 2029 or 2030, and begin a permanent decline thereafter. That'll have many profound effects, with few solutions in store to reverse the decline. Since the baby boom after World War II, America has primarily lived in a youth culture that encouraged risk-taking and new businesses that built the economy. It's now sharply pivoting toward a geriatric culture , with the so-called "gray economy" and "boomer economy." An affordability crisis is only compounding the problems for the young, ensuring this demographic contraction will have real and enduring consequences. Outlook: Labor shortages are already surfacing in industries like healthcare and construction, while automation and robotics represent as much of an employment impediment as they do a boon. A smaller pool of young workers is also causing concern over the financial health of Social Security's trust fund, and whether it will be sustainable to provide for the needs of the next generation. Serious long-term effects have yet to be realized, but if the demographics follow the current trajectory, it can cause sustained economic stagnation, si...
Conagra Brands ( CAG ) has named John Brase as president and chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2026. Brase will also join Conagra's board of directors. He succeeds Sean Connolly, who will step away from his leadership roles and from the board on May 31, 2026, after more than a decade of leadership. Most recently, Brase served as president and chief operating officer of The J.M. Smucker ( ...
Conagra Brands ( CAG ) has named John Brase as president and chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2026. Brase will also join Conagra's board of directors. He succeeds Sean Connolly, who will step away from his leadership roles and from the board on May 31, 2026, after more than a decade of leadership. Most recently, Brase served as president and chief operating officer of The J.M. Smucker ( SJM ). More on Conagra Brands Conagra Vs. Hormel: 2 Beaten‑Down, High‑Yield Food Giants Face Off Conagra Brands: When Paying 67¢ Per $1 Of Sales Is A Bad Idea Conagra: I Am Buying This Value (Rating Upgrade) Conagra targets 105% free cash flow conversion while entering fiscal '27 with ~60% material coverage in Q1 Conagra Brands Non-GAAP EPS of $0.39 misses by $0.01, revenue of $2.79B beats by $30M
Retailers could get a boost if price-conscious consumers decide to splurge after receiving their tax refund checks; Target, Deckers, and Best Buy could stand to benefit most.
Retailers could get a boost if price-conscious consumers decide to splurge after receiving their tax refund checks; Target, Deckers, and Best Buy could stand to benefit most.
Check out the companies making the biggest moves premarket: Goldman Sachs — Shares fell more than2% despite the bank reporting an earnings and revenue beat in its first quarter report, thanks to record equities trading and stronger investment banking revenues. Goldman reported $17.55 in earnings per share and $17.23 billion in revenue, better than the consensus estimates of $16.49 in earnings and ...
Check out the companies making the biggest moves premarket: Goldman Sachs — Shares fell more than2% despite the bank reporting an earnings and revenue beat in its first quarter report, thanks to record equities trading and stronger investment banking revenues. Goldman reported $17.55 in earnings per share and $17.23 billion in revenue, better than the consensus estimates of $16.49 in earnings and $16.97 billion in revenue, according to LSEG. Trading in its fixed income, currencies and commodities unit was $4.01 billion, well short of the $4.92 billion consensus estimate for FICC trading from analysts polled by FactSet. Williams-Sonoma — The kitchen and cookware retailer gained more than 2% after getting an upgrade to buy at Goldman Sachs. Analysts at the bank said the stock is trading at attractive levels, adding Williams-Sonoma has "one of the strongest portfolio of brands in retail." Best Buy — Goldman Sachs downgraded the electronics and appliances retailer to sell at Goldman, sending shares down 4%. "While Best Buy will likely see a benefit to [same-store sales] from a pull-forward of PC demand and higher tax returns in Q1, we think there will be risk to sales post Q1 as higher memory costs start to work their way into the price of laptops and computers," Goldman analysts wrote. Toll Brothers , Pultegroup — Shares of both stocks rose more than 1% after Evercore ISI upgraded the two homebuilders to outperform. The investment firm said it's time to buy the dip in the companies, believing the bad news is already priced in and that both Toll Brothers and Pultegroup could manage macroeconomic headwinds better than some of their peers. Fastenal — The industrial and construction supply distributor slid more than 4% after it reported first-quarter earnings that met the Street's expectations. Fastenal reported 30 cents in earnings per share and $2.2 billion in revenue, meeting the consensus of analysts polled by FactSet. Energy stocks — As oil prices again climbed above ...