The rise in hybrid car sales, driven by a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, is breathing new life into the demand for platinum group metals (PGMs). These metals, particularly platinum and palladium, have traditionally been used in catalytic converters to reduce emissions in gasoline-powered cars.

The latest analysis from S&P Global reveals a growing concern over the diminishing number and size of new gold discoveries, casting doubt on future gold supply growth. Over the past few years, new gold finds have become increasingly rare, with only five major discoveries recorded since 2020, contributing 17 million ounces to global reserves.

Tokyo Electron (TEL), one of Japan's leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers, faced a challenging FY2024, marked by a 19% revenue decline. The downturn was driven primarily by significant drops in the Logic and NAND segments, which suffered from intense competitive pressures in the Etch and Deposition markets.

The Nikkei 225 ended Monday on a down note, dragged lower by a sharp sell-off in technology stocks. The index closed at 36,215.75, marking a 0.48% drop for the day. Early in the session, the benchmark index fell as much as 3.14%, briefly dipping below the critical 36,000 mark for the first time since August 13. However, the index managed to claw back some losses as the yen weakened from a one-month high, offering a much-needed reprieve for Japanese exporters.

Labor Day, celebrated annually on the first Monday of September, has a notable impact on the stock market. As a federal holiday in the United States, markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, remain closed for the day. The long weekend provides a brief pause in trading, reducing overall market activity. This break, however, often coincides with investors reassessing their portfolios as they prepare for the final months of the year, which are typically seen as crucial periods for the market.

In the first half of 2024, the global surplus of refined copper surged dramatically, quadrupling compared to the same period in the previous year, according to preliminary data from the International Copper Study Group (ICSG). The surplus expansion was driven by a significant increase in both copper mine production and refined copper output.

Japan's Nikkei share average took a downturn slipping by 0.6% to 37,828.03 after a five-session winning streak. This decline comes as investors sought to lock in profits following a significant rally last week. Despite the dip, it's important to recognize the recent performance of the Nikkei, which saw its biggest weekly gain since April 2020, a clear indication of investor confidence bolstered by easing concerns over the U.S. economy and a stabilization in the yen's value.

Commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, gold, and agricultural products are traded on exchanges, with prices fluctuating based on supply and demand, geopolitical tensions, and economic policies.

Long-term uranium contract prices have recently surged to over 16-year highs, driven by supply uncertainties and increasing demand from utilities expanding their capacities to support AI data centers.

Global coal demand is projected to remain stable through 2025, despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) recent market report.

The GFEX recently announced plans to launch China’s first platinum and palladium futures contracts. This initiative aims to provide a domestic price hedging mechanism, enabling investors to understand the complexities of these precious metals markets more effectively.

The European Union confirmed on Thursday its final approval to implement the remaining set of tougher bank capital rules starting January 2025.

Gold has reached a new all-time high, driven by increasing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.

The electrification of the global vehicle fleet, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, necessitates a 55% increase in new copper mines. The shift to EVs elevates the demand for copper, essential for various components such as electric motors, batteries, and wiring.

At the end of the second quarter of 2024, the MINING.COM TOP 50 ranking of the world's most valuable miners revealed a combined market capitalization of $1.43 trillion, reflecting an increase of $42 billion from the end of March.

In recent years, small and mid-cap US indices have been gaining significant traction among investors. This shift marks a notable departure from the traditional focus on mega-cap stocks, which have long dominated investment portfolios.

As global import tariffs increase drastically, several companies and industries are certain to benefit. This shift towards protectionist policies will likely impact various sectors differently, with some flourishing under new trade barriers while others might face significant challenges.

Hedge funds have been strategically accumulating cobalt, taking advantage of tumbling spot prices and a more liquid futures market. This strategic move comes as cobalt, a critical component for batteries, sees its prices plummet to the lowest levels in over seven years.

In investing, a prevalent belief suggests that a surge in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity can signal an impending market peak.

The cryptocurrency market is poised for a significant transformation as spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are expected to receive approval from major wirehouses and large private bank platforms in the third and fourth quarters of this year.