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Articles by Ross Hunting
CERAWEEK-Oil mergers, clean fuels vie for attention at Houston energy conference
By Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON, March 17 (Reuters) – Top oil executives and ministers descend on Houston this week for one of the world’s biggest energy conferences emboldened by blockbuster mergers, stable oil prices and less pressure for a large scale move to clean fuels. Global oil prices LCOc1 have remained in a range between $75 and $85 per barrel, a level fueling profits but not hurting economic growth, despite war in Eastern Europe and turmoil in the Middle East.
Canva Create Returns in 2024 with an In-Person Twist
On February 22, 2024, Canva announced the return of its much-anticipated annual event, Canva Create, which is set to take place in May 2024. This year marks a groundbreaking evolution for the event as it continues its virtual broadcast and introduces an in-person element for the first time.
Natural Gas News: Will Milder Weather Further Impact Futures Next Week?
FXEmpire.com – US Natural Gas Market: Weekly Recap and Forecast Last week, U.S. natural gas futures saw a notable decrease, dropping over 8% for a second consecutive weekly loss. The downturn was primarily driven by forecasts for milder weather, which is expected to reduce heating demand.
Zoom AI Companion Breaks Language Barriers
Zoom’s latest update to its AI Companion will change how small businesses engage in global collaboration and productivity. As of February 27, 2024, Zoom expanded the language support across its platform, introducing a capability to bridge communication gaps that have long challenged multilingual teams worldwide. Zoom’s AI Companion, a generative AI assistant integrated within the platform at no additional cost for eligible paid accounts, now boasts an impressive array of language supports.
Natural Gas Weekly Price Forecast – Natural Gas Continues to Look For Bottom - Entrepreneur News
FXEmpire.com – Natural Gas Weekly Technical Analysis The natural gas weekly chart has shown a negative candle for the week as we continue to bounce around the bottom. At this point though, we are so low and at such a significant barrier that I do think longer term buy and hold types are starting to come into the market. I have gotten involved in an ETF again.
GRAINS-Wheat and soy continue downward spiral; corn rises on short covering
By Heather Schlitz CHICAGO, March 15 (Reuters) – Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) wheat and soybean futures fell on Friday as plentiful global supplies and weak demand anchored the market. Corn futures edged up on short covering following news of private sales of 125,000 metric tons of U.S. corn to unknown destinations for the 2023/24 marketing year. That followed Thursday’s announcement of 100,000 tons of U.S. corn sold to Mexico.
Natural Gas Price Forecast: Bearish Momentum Reigns After Brief Bullish Reversal
FXEmpire.com – Natural gas got hammered today with bearish price action following yesterday’s one-day bullish reversal. Following an outside day yesterday and strong close that tested resistance at the 20-Day MA, natural gas encountered resistance today near that line following the day’s high of 1.77. That high briefly exceeded yesterday’s high. At the time of this writing, natural gas continues to trade near the lows of the day as it tests support heading towards yesterday’s low of 1.64.
Natural Gas, WTI Oil, Brent Oil Forecasts – Oil Gains Ground As Traders Focus On Rising Demand - Entrepreneur News
FXEmpire.com – Natural Gas Natural Gas 150324 Daily Chart Natural gas is losing ground as bulls did not find positive catalysts to continue the rebound. The nearest support level for natural gas is located in the $1.60 – $1.65 range. A move below $1.60 may trigger a sell-off. WTI Oil WTI Oil 150324 Daily Chart WTI oil gains ground as traders stay focused on rising demand and tensions in the Middle East.
Thailand's flourishing cannabis culture to end as government seeks ban
By Jorge Silva BANGKOK, March 16 (Reuters) – Thodsapol Hongtong is enjoying a smoke with his friends at the “Green Party”, a venue where recreational cannabis enthusiasts meet in the Thai capital Bangkok to chat and have a good time. But it’s a pastime that may be coming to an end. The 31-year-old influencer who runs his own cannabis shop regularly touts recreational marijuana as good for the country’s economy on his online platform “Channel Weed Thailand”.
US FAA to convene expert board to review Boeing 787 guidance
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it will convene a board of experts to review Boeing’s BA.N planned guidance to 787 Dreamliner operators to check flight deck switches after a sudden mid-air dive by a LATAM Airlines LTM.SN 787 plane left more than 50 people injured.
Copper Prices Jump as Top Chinese Smelters Agree to Cut Output
In a bid to cope with a raw materials shortage and underperforming plants, top copper smelters in China collectively agreed to cut production in a Beijing meeting this week. Sources with personal knowledge of the matter said that the volume of cutbacks will rely on each smelter’s individual assessments, as no specific rates have been imposed.
American Express Supporting Historic Restaurants Through Small Business Grants
Businesses located in historic buildings often face unique challenges. But historic preservation is a goal for many communities. So American Express and its patterns are stepping up to support restaurants that are willing to preserve historic spaces in communities around the U.S. Read about this and other current small business grant opportunities below.
Major sugar producers sued over alleged US price-fixing scheme
By Mike Scarcella March 15 (Reuters) – United Sugar, Domino’s and other major producers were accused in a new Manhattan federal lawsuit of artificially inflating the price of granulated sugar, forcing buyers to pay more for the sweetener in a market valued at more than $13 billion. The proposed class action, filed on Thursday by New York-based KPH Healthcare Services, named more than a half-dozen defendants including ASR Group, which owns Domino’s, Michigan Sugar and United.
In the News: The SBA Offering up to $300K in Grants
Supporting women veterans through SBA grants is an impactful way to honor their service and foster their entrepreneurial spirit. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several programs, such as the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (WVETP), to provide women veterans with the resources and training they need to start and grow their businesses.
Mining Leaders Call on Canada to Support Critical Minerals Industry
Canada holds a significant presence in the global resource sector, but a recent KPMG survey shows mining leaders agree more work needs to be done if the country wants to be an industry leader in critical minerals. While 91 percent of those polled are optimistic about the nation’s potential to become a key critical minerals player, a similarly overwhelming majority — or 98 percent of respondents — believe that much effort is needed to put Canada at the forefront.
UK wheat area seen falling following heavy rains
LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) – The UK wheat area for this summer’s harvest is expected to be its smallest since 2020 following heavy rainfall during autumn and winter, Britain’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said on Friday. The AHDB planting survey showed the UK wheat area would be down 15%, compared with the previous summer, at 1.46 million hectares. “All parts of the UK have suffered.
Iran Air could be banned from Europe if Tehran sends missiles to Russia, US warns
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) – G7 nations are prepared to respond with severe new penalties that could include a ban on Iran Air flights to Europe if Iran proceeds with the transfer of close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. “Our message today is, if Iran proceeds with providing Russia with ballistic missiles, the response from the international community will be swift and severe,” the official told a small group of reporters.
Qatar Airways mulls up to 150 widebody orders from Boeing, Airbus, Bloomberg News reports
Adds details from report in paragraphs 2-3 March 15 (Reuters) – Qatar Airways is in early talks with Boeing BA.N and Airbus AIR.PA to order up to 150 widebody jets, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Qatar’s national carrier is looking to purchase 100 to 150 aircraft to expand and renew its fleet, the report said. The order will most likely be for the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777X models, the report added.
Facebook's Shift Away from News Content
Facebook has announced it will discontinue its Facebook News feature in the United States and Australia by early April 2024. This decision extends the platform’s shift away from news content, following similar actions in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in 2023. For small business owners, this development heralds a new era in social media marketing and content strategy on one of the world’s most pervasive digital platforms.
SOFTS-Cocoa rallies after reports of plant outages due to bean shortage
LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) – ICE cocoa futures extended their gains on Friday, having surged in the prior session after Reuters reported that major cocoa plants in top producers Ivory Coast and Ghana had stopped or cut processing because they cannot afford to buy beans. COCOA * July London cocoa LCCc2 rose 1.8% to 5,577 pounds per metric ton at 1237 GMT, having hit a contract high LCCN4 of 5,657 a ton on Thursday.
Ukraine sows 128,100 ha of 2024 spring crops, ministry says
KYIV, March 15 (Reuters) – Most of Ukraine’s regions have started 2024 spring sowing, seeding the 128,100 hectares of spring wheat, peas, barley and oats, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. The ministry did not give sowing plans for this year. Last month it said that farmers were expected to reduce the area sown with corn by 9% year on year. Ukraine is a major global grain and oilseeds producer but its harvests have decreased since Russia invaded and occupied significant swathes of territory.
METALS-Hot money pushes copper to new highs
By Eric Onstad LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) – Fund buying propelled copper prices to new highs on Friday, but some investors and analysts were cautious about possible output cuts in China and whether the rally would be sustained. Shanghai copper prices hit a record high and prices in London touched an 11-month peak after Chinese smelters agreed to trim production in the face of weak profits and losses.
French soft wheat crop rating slips, spring barley sowing picks up
Recasts to add context, background and other crops from paragraph 4 March 15 (Reuters) – The state of French soft wheat crops declined slightly last week to remain at their worst in four years, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, as fields remained soggy after a wet winter in the European Union’s biggest grain producer. Some 66% of French soft wheat was rated as being in good or excellent condition by March 11, down from 68% a week earlier, FranceAgriMer said in a cereal report.
WH Smith appoints Burberry exec as new finance chief as Moorhead to retire
March 15 (Reuters) – British travel retailer WH Smith SMWH.L said on Friday its finance chief Robert Moorhead plans to retire after more than two decades with the company, and will be succeeded by Burberry BRBY.L executive Max Izzard. Izzard, currently senior vice president of Group and Corporate Finance at Burberry, will join WH Smith on Sept. 1, while Moorhead will step down from the board at the end of November.
METALS-Shanghai copper hits near 3-year high on China output cut concern
March 15 (Reuters) – Shanghai copper prices hit a near three-year high on Friday, while prices in London touched a 10-month peak, buoyed by a potential output cut in top producer China. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) CMCU3 advanced 1.2% to $8,998 per metric ton by 0439 GMT, having hit the highest since April 2023 earlier in the session.
Indonesia's Feb trade surplus smallest in 9 months
Rewrites throughout to add trade balance, import data JAKARTA, March 15 (Reuters) – Indonesia booked its smallest trade surplus in nine months in February as imports came in stronger than expected, while exports slumped, data from the statistics bureau showed on Friday. Its trade surplus last month was around $870 million, below the $2.32 billion expected by economists polled by Reuters and January’s $2 billion surplus. The February surplus was the smallest since May 2023.
GRAINS-Wheat on track for third weekly drop on supply pressure
* Chicago wheat futures down 6.5% in three weeks of losses * China’s cancellations heats up supply pressure on prices (Adds quote in paragraph 3, details and updates prices) By Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE, March 15 (Reuters) – Chicago wheat futures were largely flat on Friday, with the market on track for a third weekly decline on pressure from Chinese buyers cancelling shipments amid plentiful global supplies. Corn firmed, while soybeans slid.
VEGOILS-Palm oil steady after highest close in more than a year
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Reuters) – Malaysian palm oil futures were little changed on Friday, after logging their highest close in more than a year in the previous session, as stronger Dalian rival oils offset weaker crude oil prices. The benchmark palm oil contract FCPOc3 for May delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange slid 4 ringgit, or 0.09%, to 4,291 ringgit ($912.78) during early trade. The contract logged its highest closing levels since March 3, 2023 on Thursday.
COLUMN-Midwestern dryness at 21-year high for mid-March ahead of US planting -Braun
By Karen Braun NAPERVILLE, Illinois, March 14 (Reuters) – An incredibly mild and dry finish to winter has facilitated the spreading of drought across the Midwestern United States just weeks before the start of spring crop planting. That marks the fourth consecutive year of heightened dryness in the U.S. Corn Belt at this time of year, a pattern that has preceded various crop outcomes.
Aluminium giant Rusal's 2023 profit slumps on subdued prices, lower production
Adds further details on results in paragraphs 2-10 March 15 (Reuters) – Russia’s Rusal 0486.HK reported an 84.3% slump in its annual profit on Friday, as weak realised prices for aluminium and lower production due to international sanctions weighed on the aluminium giant’s earnings. The company said the average realised price for its aluminium, used in transportation, construction and packaging, was $2,439 a ton in 2023, down 18% from the prior year.
Brazil eyes exports via China-controlled Chancay port, Peruvian minister says
Adds context about the port in paragraph 3-4, Arista comment in paragraph 11 LIMA, March 14 (Reuters) – Brazil is interested in exporting soy, corn and other products through Peru’s China-controlled Chancay port, Peruvian Economy Minister Jose Arista said on Thursday, according to state news agency Andina.
Wood pellet maker Enviva previews contract shakeup in bankruptcy
By Dietrich Knauth NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) – Bankrupt wood pellet manufacturer Enviva Inc plans to renegotiate long-term biofuel supply agreements and resolve a $349 million contract dispute with German energy company RWE in bankruptcy, lawyers for the company said on Thursday.
United Airlines close to leasing Airbus jets, Bloomberg News reports
Adds background throughout March 14 (Reuters) – United Airlines UAL.O is close to securing three dozen or more Airbus AIR.PA A321neo jets from aircraft lessors, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday citing people familiar with the matter. United has been looking for alternatives to Boeing’s BA.N uncertified MAX 10 planes, which were due for delivery this year and were expected to be the cornerstone of its fleet.
Soil moisture for Argentina's soybean crop improves after rains
BUENOS AIRES, March 14 (Reuters) – The percentage of Argentine soybean plantings with optimal-to-excellent soil moisture grew to 77% in the last week, boosted by recent rains, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said on Thursday. Argentina is one of the world’s top exporters of processed soybeans, and the exchange estimates the 2023/24 harvest at 52.5 million metric tons.
Brazil eyes soy, corn exports via Chancay port, Peruvian minister says
Updates with additional detail LIMA, March 14 (Reuters) – Brazil is interested in exporting soy, corn and other products through Peru’s Chancay port, Peruvian Economy Minister Jose Arista said on Thursday, according to state news agency Andina. Brazilian Planning Minister Simone Tibet visited the port, still under construction, earlier this week and spoke with Arista about the possibility of using it as an export route, Andina reported.
Macron awards highest French honour to LVMH CEO at star-studded event -reports
PARIS, March 14 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron awarded billionaire Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, the country’s highest honour at a Paris ceremony on Wednesday attended by superstar Beyonce and Tesla co-founder Elon Musk, French media reported. The reception at the Elysee Palace in honour of the world’s richest man, who was promoted to Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, had been kept under wraps, with no official communication by the Elysee on social media or elsewhere.
Oakland Business Owners Refusing to Pay Taxes Until City Addresses Crime Issues
Some small business owners in Oakland, California, have had enough. Fed up with crime in their neighborhood, a group of business owners say they refuse to pay taxes until the city provides safer areas to operate. Specifically, they want to see increased police patrols to alleviate violent crime and make the city safer for customers who want to patronize their businesses. La Perla Puerto Rican Cuisine on Fruitvale Avenue is one of the businesses affected by the recent rise in violent crime.
Brazil slaughtering records make it global meat king, IBGE data shows
By Ana Mano SAO PAULO, March 14 (Reuters) – Brazilian meat companies processed unprecedented volumes of chicken and hogs and recorded the second-highest level of cattle slaughtering in history, according to 2023 data released on Thursday by the national census bureau.
Entrepreneur Starts a Pimento Cheese Business Thanks to Jeopardy! Winnings
Startup money for a new business can come from anywhere. Most businesses get it from a bank loan, personal savings, or family and friends. But one North Carolina entrepreneur launched his dream venture with money from Jeopardy!. John Morgan is the owner of Queen City Charlotte’s Pimento Cheese Royale, a family-owned business out of Charlotte, North Carolina that produces packaged pimiento cheese in various flavors.
IEA Raises Global Oil Demand Forecast, Lowers Supply Outlook
(RTTNews) – An improved outlook for the U.S. economy and increased bunkering is expected to boost the global oil demand this year with consumption returning to post-pandemic trends, and there is a surge in adoption of efficient electric vehicles, the International Energy Agency said in a monthly report on Thursday. Global oil demand for this year was revised up to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd), an upward revision of 110,000 bpd from the previous month’s report.
US switches method to estimate China's soy imports after data gap
By Tom Polansek CHICAGO, March 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started using global exporters’ data to estimate China’s soybean imports because a wide gap emerged between shipping figures from producing nations and Chinese customs data, a USDA official told Reuters. The change in methodology comes at a sensitive time for U.S.-China relations and as China is trying to improve its food security plans to rely less on imports.
IGC sees record global grains crop in 2024/25
Adds quotes, details, background LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) – The International Grains Council (IGC) on Thursday forecast a record global grain crop in the 2024/25 season, reinforcing concerns about a global glut. The inter-governmental body, issuing its first full set of supply and demand projections for the 2024/25 season, saw global grains production rising to a record 2.332 billion metric tons from the prior season’s 2.304 billion.
Florida Tax Preparer Senteced to Prison Term
A Florida-based tax preparer was sentenced to a two-year prison term, marking a significant development in the fight against tax fraud, particularly for small business owners. This case, resolved on Monday, underscores the critical importance of ethical tax practices and the severe consequences of deviating from them. Phedson Dore, associated with Empire Tax Services, engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing fraudulent tax returns from 2017 through 2020.
IGC sees global corn, wheat output rising in 2024/25
LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) – The International Grains Council (IGC) on Thursday forecast a rise in global corn and wheat production in the 2024/25 season, reinforcing concerns about a global grain glut. The inter-governmental body, in its monthly update, saw global corn (maize) production rising to 1.233 billion metric tons in 2024/25, up from the prior season’s 1.227 billion. Global wheat production in 2024/25 was forecast to rise to 799 million tons from 789 million in 2023/24.
Brazil retail sales grow well above estimates in January
Recasts throughout SAO PAULO, March 14 (Reuters) – Brazil’s retail sales volume grew 2.5% in January from the previous month, topping estimates after a weak end for 2023, government statistics agency IBGE said on Thursday. The increase marks the highest in one year for the retail sector of Latin America’s largest economy, also coming well above the 0.20% estimated by economists polled by Reuters.
Rugby-Italy blow as Capuozzo ruled out of Wales test
March 14 (Reuters) – Italy have made three changes to their side to face Wales in their final Six Nations Championship clash in Cardiff on Saturday as Lorenzo Pani comes in to replace the injured Ange Capuozzo at fullback. The lively Capuozzo fractured a finger in the 31-29 victory over Scotland last weekend and has been ruled out, having been a key figure for the side when they defeated Wales 22-21 in their last visit to the Principality Stadium in 2022.
Smaller German 2024 wheat and rapeseed crops forecast
HAMBURG, March 14 (Reuters) – Germany’s 2024 wheat crop will fall 6.5% on the year to 20.14 million metric tons, the country’s association of farm cooperatives said in its first harvest estimate on Thursday. The association forecast Germany’s 2024 winter rapeseed crop will fall 6.9% from last year’s crop to 3.93 million metric tons. (Reporting by Michael Hogan) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Thousands of farmers rally in New Delhi to demand higher crop prices
By Shivangi Acharya, Sakshi Dayal and Adnan Abidi NEW DELHI, March 14 (Reuters) – Thousands of farmers rode buses and trains from across India to gather on Thursday at a rally in the capital, New Delhi, pressing a demand for higher guaranteed prices for their crops, as they faced down police barricades and tough security.
Russia's IKAR agricultural consultancy: 2024/25 grain crop at 145 m t
MOSCOW, March 14 (Reuters) – Russia’s IKAR agricultural consultancy said that it expects Russia’s 2024/25 grain crop to be 147 million metric tons, of which 93 million tons would be wheat, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday. The figures are up from 2023/24, when the grain harvest was forecast at 144 million metric tons in 2023/24, of which 91.6 million tons will be wheat.
EXCLUSIVE-Chinese buyers cancel or postpone Australian wheat buys amid global oversupply
By Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE, March 14 (Reuters) – Chinese wheat importers have cancelled or postponed about one million metric tons of Australian wheat imports, trade sources with direct knowledge of the deals said, as growing world stockpiles drag down prices. The moves come after the U.S. government reported cancellation of more than 500,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat exports last week to China, the world’s No. 1 buyer, with international prices Wv1 trading close three and a half year lows.
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