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Red Rock Resources PLC (LSE:RRR) saw its shares climb on Friday after announcing the sale of its royalty over gold production from the El Limon mine in Colombia to Soma Gold Corp, in a deal valued at £1 million in cash.

Alongside the cash consideration, Red Rock will receive 200,000 share subscription rights in Soma, exercisable at C$2.00 over a 36-month period.

The royalty — held since 2015 but dormant in recent years — was expected to resume payments this year. It comprised a 3% net smelter return royalty, capped at US$2 million, and an additional 0.5% royalty capped at US$1 million.

“The sale of the royalty back to the mine owner provides Red Rock with funds to reduce liabilities and strengthen working capital,” said chair Andrew Bell.

In London, Red Rock shares were trading 15% higher at 0.035p.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

ATOME PLC (LSE:ATOM) announced it has signed a definitive 10-year offtake agreement with Yara International covering the entire annual output — 260,000 tonnes — from its Villeta low-carbon fertiliser project in Paraguay.

The company said the deal marks the final commercial milestone before a final investment decision, expected later this year. Construction of the US$630 million facility is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Building on preliminary terms disclosed in July, the agreement also includes an option to extend beyond the initial decade.

“This partnership with Yara, now confirmed in its final form, is a landmark step in delivering our Villeta Project,” said ATOME chief executive Olivier Mussat. “We’re proud to be part of what is the world’s largest low-carbon fertiliser supply agreement. Alongside Villeta, we continue to work with leading partners and offtakers to distribute our green molecules, disrupt traditional commodity markets, and support a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Chrystel Monthean, Yara’s executive vice president for the Americas, added: “Yara’s ambition is to help grow a nature-positive food future, profitably. By securing locally produced fertiliser made with renewable energy, we’ll strengthen our portfolio and, combined with our agronomic expertise, respond competitively to market demand. We look forward to developing this long-term strategic relationship with ATOME.”

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European equities mostly advanced on Thursday as investors focused on France’s political tensions and the European Central Bank’s expected decision to keep interest rates steady.

Large-scale protests erupted in France as newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu assumes office, facing public anger over budget cuts and ongoing political unrest.

Markets are also keeping an eye on upcoming U.S. consumer price data, following a surprisingly positive report on producer prices released yesterday.

The French CAC 40 rose 0.9%, London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.5%, and Germany’s DAX climbed 0.3%.

On the corporate front, British gambling technology firm Playtech (LSE:PTEC) jumped after reporting solid first-half results and signaling it is on track to surpass full-year targets.

Trainline (LSE:TRN), the online ticketing platform, also advanced following a strong first-half trading update.

Paris-listed Technip Energies (EU:TE) saw gains after agreeing to acquire the Advanced Materials & Catalysts division of U.S.-based Ecovyst for $556 million.

Pharma giant Sanofi (EU:SAN) rose as its SAR402663 therapy received fast track designation in the U.S. for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

U.S. stock futures are indicating a relatively flat start on Thursday, as traders assess recent inflation and employment figures.

Earlier in the session, futures suggested a modestly positive open, but the momentum faded following the release of consumer price and jobless claims reports.

The Labor Department revealed that U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, slightly higher than the expected 0.3%, following a 0.2% increase in July. The annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.9%, up from 2.7%, in line with economist forecasts. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, was up 0.3% for the month, keeping the yearly rate steady at 3.1%.

Meanwhile, first-time unemployment claims unexpectedly increased to 263,000 in the week ending September 6th, a rise of 27,000 from the revised 236,000 figure for the previous week. Economists had predicted a slight decline to 235,000. This is the highest level of initial claims since late October 2021.

These mixed signals could reinforce expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, but they also raise questions about the possibility of slowing economic growth or stagflation.

During Wednesday’s session, stocks started the day higher but gave up gains as trading progressed. The S&P 500 advanced 19.43 points, or 0.3%, to 6,532.04, while the Nasdaq inched up 6.57 points to 21,886.06. Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 220.42 points, or 0.5%, to 45,490.92, pressured by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) following its product launches and by declines in Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).

Markets initially reacted positively to producer price data, which showed a 0.1% decline in August, surprising analysts who had expected a 0.3% increase. Year-over-year producer price growth slowed to 2.6% from 3.1% in July.

Investor optimism was further fueled by a strong rally in Oracle shares, up 36%, as the company projected cloud infrastructure revenue to surge from $10.3 billion in fiscal 2025 to $144 billion by 2030, despite reporting slightly weaker first-quarter earnings.

The semiconductor sector also saw notable gains, lifting the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index 2.4% to a record closing high. Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:TSM) jumped 3.8% after reporting strong August revenues.

Gold stocks followed suit, pushing the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index up 2.2%. Energy, natural gas, and utility stocks performed strongly, while retail and biotech sectors also showed upward movement.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Unilever (LSE:ULVR) is moving forward with its plan to carve out its ice cream unit, confirming that Magnum will be listed as a separate company by mid-November.

The restructuring represents one of the most significant changes to Unilever’s portfolio in recent years. Still, analysts believe the broader financial impact on the group will be relatively modest.

Barclays estimates that the separation will remove about 13% of 2024 sales, 10.5% of EBITDA and 9% of EBIT from Unilever’s accounts. “This is unlikely to be a material,” the brokerage noted, adding that once ice cream is separated, Unilever’s EBIT margin could rise by nearly 100 basis points.

The leaner group will also experience fewer seasonal swings in performance, giving management greater scope to concentrate on higher-growth areas such as Beauty & Wellbeing.

Unilever intends to keep a minority holding of under 20% in Magnum for as long as five years, with plans to gradually sell that stake. Barclays said the proceeds “will be sold down in an orderly manner to maintain capital flexibility through a reduction in group net debt.” The bank expects most of the initial proceeds from Magnum’s debt to be returned to Unilever in the form of a special dividend, which would be directed primarily toward reducing borrowings.

Unilever’s leverage is expected to remain close to 2x after the split, leaving its credit profile intact. Magnum, meanwhile, will launch with net leverage around 2.4x on €1.3 billion of EBITDA, backed by €3.8 billion in gross debt. Moody’s assigned it a Baa2 rating, while S&P rated it BBB.

Barclays also highlighted that while Unilever has already refinanced €1.9 billion in bonds maturing in 2026, it faces a “maturity tower” in 2027 and 2028, when €3.4 billion comes due. Proceeds from the demerger could provide breathing room. “For Unilver Remainco to reach a 2.0x leverage ratio, we calculate it only needs to reduce debt by c.€1.5-2.0bn,” the bank said, suggesting that some proceeds might also be returned to shareholders.

Still, Barclays emphasized that the transaction will not significantly affect bond spreads. “The Magnum spin-off is unlikely to be a material spread driver, in our view, as Unilever’s rating and leverage target remain unchanged,” the brokerage said.

In its latest half-year update, Unilever reported €30.1 billion in sales, up 3.4% organically, with its Power Brands contributing more than 75% of revenue. EBIT slipped 4.8% to €5.8 billion, with margins narrowing to 19.3% on higher brand spending. Free cash flow fell to €1.1 billion, hit by separation-related expenses and working capital, while net debt climbed to €26.4 billion, pushing leverage to 2.1x.

The group reaffirmed its guidance for 2025, targeting 3–5% underlying sales growth, margin gains and leverage around 2x.

Magnum, on the other hand, is set to debut as the world’s largest publicly traded ice cream business, with €7.9 billion in 2024 sales and a roughly 21% global retail market share. Despite its scale, the brand’s margins remain below those of broader consumer staples peers due to industry-specific supply chain challenges. Agencies view its outlook as supported by strong branding and diversification, but tempered by seasonality and sensitivity to commodity costs.

For Unilever, the spin-off offers a more streamlined focus and a small boost to margins, without altering its overall financial footing. As Barclays concluded, “current spread valuations look fair, with EUR bonds trading well in line with rating peers like PEP and KO.”

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday, in line with expectations, choosing caution as inflation hovers near target but economic and political uncertainties cloud the outlook.

In June, the ECB cut its key deposit rate to 2%, down from a record 4% within just a year, marking the start of an easing cycle. Since then, however, the central bank has opted to pause, with consumer prices now only slightly above its 2% goal following the post-pandemic inflation spike and fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Markets are now looking closely at the ECB’s new economic projections. Analysts anticipate modest upward revisions to 2025 growth and inflation, though views on the 2026 outlook remain mixed.

Uncertainty looms on several fronts. The European Union’s recent agreement with Washington on 15% tariffs is broadly aligned with the ECB’s base case of 10%, but the real effect on growth will only become clear in the coming months. Meanwhile, the possibility of U.S. regulators tightening scrutiny on European pharmaceutical companies adds another layer of risk.

Political tensions in France also complicate the picture. The eurozone’s second-largest economy saw a new prime minister appointed this week after unpopular austerity measures triggered public backlash, raising concerns about stability.

Should financial markets come under renewed stress, investors may question whether the ECB could step in with its Transmission Protection Instrument, designed to shield vulnerable sovereign debt.

For now, traders assign roughly a 70% chance that one more rate cut could come by next summer, suggesting the door remains open.

“While we still have some sympathy for another, rather preemptive, rate cut to avoid unwarranted euro strengthening and inflation undershooting, we also see a majority at the ECB not sharing this view and instead stressing signs of resilience and recent hard data,” analysts at ING wrote in a note.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Kering (EU:KER), the French luxury conglomerate, saw its stock climb 2% after it and Qatari investor group Mayhoola revised their shareholders’ agreement for Valentino, the Italian fashion label renowned for luxury apparel and accessories.

The update postpones the full acquisition of Valentino, ensuring the brand’s current ownership remains unchanged at least through 2028.

Under the amended terms, Mayhoola’s put options to sell its remaining 70% stake in Valentino—originally scheduled for 2026 and 2027—are now deferred to 2028 and 2029. Meanwhile, Kering’s call option to acquire Mayhoola’s stake, initially set for 2028, has also been pushed back to 2029. Other terms of the agreement remain unchanged.

Kering first took a 30% stake in Valentino in 2023, aiming to reinforce its footprint in the high-end fashion market. The companies noted that the agreement revision aligns with a new phase for Valentino, marked by the appointment of Riccardo Bellini as CEO.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

U.S. stock futures moved higher Thursday as investors prepared for the release of key inflation data, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decisions. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates steady in its policy announcement later today. Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE), the company behind Photoshop and Acrobat Pro, will also attract attention when it reports quarterly earnings after the closing bell.

Futures Show Modest Gains

By 03:10 ET, Dow futures were up 35 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 futures rose 8 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 39 points, or 0.2%. On Wednesday, Wall Street’s main indices ended mixed, reflecting a strong earnings report from AI-powered cloud software firm Oracle and a softer-than-expected rise in U.S. producer prices, which fueled expectations for a near-term Fed rate cut.

Oracle shares surged 36% in a single session—their largest one-day gain since 1992—pushing its market capitalization close to the $1 trillion mark. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.48%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs.

Consumer Price Index in Focus

Attention now turns to August’s consumer price index, a crucial measure of inflation. Economists expect a 2.9% year-on-year rise, up slightly from 2.7% in July. If confirmed, the Fed could face the challenge of balancing its dual mandate: supporting a cooling labor market while managing persistent inflation around its 2% target.

However, recent data showed a surprise decline in U.S. factory-gate prices in August, particularly for goods exposed to tariffs, suggesting inflation pressures may be contained. Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, have signaled a willingness to prioritize labor market support, meaning a rate cut could encourage investment and hiring, albeit with potential inflationary risks.

ECB Rate Announcement

Before the Fed’s September 16–17 meeting, the European Central Bank will release its own decision Thursday. The ECB is widely expected to leave borrowing costs unchanged at 2%, though debate between rate-hike skeptics and supporters of easing is expected to be lively.

Analysts note that prior hawkish remarks by ECB President Christine Lagarde and stronger-than-expected inflation and growth since the last meeting have tempered expectations for major moves. The central bank is likely to maintain its policy while offering limited guidance on future rates.

Adobe Earnings

Adobe headlines the earnings calendar as it reports after the bell. Analysts expect the software giant to post fiscal Q3 earnings per share of $5.18 on revenue of $5.91 billion. Despite raising its annual guidance in June, Adobe faces potential headwinds from cyclical market conditions and questions about when AI-driven initiatives will begin generating significant returns.

Oil Prices Slip

Crude prices eased Thursday, retracing earlier gains driven by geopolitical tensions in Russia and the Middle East. At 03:36 ET, Brent futures fell 0.1% to $67.40 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate dropped 0.2% to $63.56 per barrel.

U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.9 million barrels in the week ending September 5, versus expectations of a 1 million barrel draw, while gasoline stocks increased by 1.5 million barrels, exceeding forecasts. Rising inventories and evidence of slowing U.S. demand have added pressure to crude prices, despite earlier supply concerns.

Gold Remains Near Record Levels

Gold prices edged lower as investors awaited the U.S. CPI report, though the metal remained near record highs amid expectations for a Fed rate cut next week. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, keeping bullion supported in the current environment.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European shares inched higher on Thursday, though gains were modest, as investors awaited the European Central Bank’s latest policy announcement and upcoming U.S. inflation figures.

At 07:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.3%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%.

ECB Meeting Takes Center Stage

All eyes were on Frankfurt as the ECB wrapped up its policy meeting. Analysts widely expect the central bank to keep interest rates on hold. Following a key rate reduction to 2% by June, the ECB has maintained a steady stance, with inflation near target levels and growth stabilizing across the eurozone.

Despite this, lingering uncertainties—including U.S. President Donald Trump’s 15% tariffs on EU imports, subdued regional growth, and political unrest in France—suggest that the ECB may leave the door open for potential future easing. ECB President Christine Lagarde is expected to provide limited guidance, though the possibility of further rate cuts remains if inflation drops below the 2% target next year.

U.S. CPI in Focus

Investors are also focused on the U.S. consumer price index report ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Headline CPI is forecast to have increased 2.9% year-on-year in August, the fastest pace since January, while core CPI is expected to remain steady at 3.1%. Markets have already priced in a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut, but lower-than-expected inflation readings could fuel speculation of a larger 50-basis-point adjustment.

Corporate Highlights: Energean Secures New Contracts

Corporate news was light Thursday, though Energean Oil & Gas (LSE:ENOG) made headlines with over $4 billion in new long-term gas deals in the first half of 2025, bringing total contracted revenues to roughly $20 billion over the next 20 years.

Oil Prices Ease Amid U.S. Demand Concerns

Oil markets softened on Thursday after earlier gains driven by geopolitical tensions in Russia and the Middle East. Brent crude futures fell 0.1% to $67.41 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 0.2% to $63.57 per barrel as of 03:05 ET.

U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.9 million barrels in the week to September 5, exceeding expectations of a 1 million barrel draw, according to the Energy Information Administration. Gasoline stocks also increased by 1.5 million barrels, against forecasts of a 200,000-barrel decrease. These figures highlight concerns that slowing demand in the world’s largest oil consumer could weigh on prices later in the year.

Oil had previously surged over $1 per barrel on Wednesday, reflecting market worries over supply disruptions in Russia and the Middle East. This continued a broader upward trend for crude prices throughout September, following a three-month low on September 5.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Gold prices dipped slightly in Asian trading on Thursday as investors exercised caution ahead of key U.S. inflation data, yet the metal remained close to all-time highs on strong expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week.

Spot gold was trading down 0.4% at $3,627.59 per ounce by 02:04 ET (06:04 GMT), while December U.S. gold futures slipped 0.5% to $3,664.30. Earlier in the week, gold touched a record high of roughly $3,673.95 per ounce.

Fed Rate Cut Bets Boost Gold

Investor confidence in imminent monetary easing was bolstered by weaker-than-expected U.S. producer price data and significant upward revisions to official employment figures, suggesting a softening labor market. Market participants are now pricing in a nearly certain 25-basis-point cut at the upcoming Fed meeting, with some speculating on a larger reduction.

Attention is now turning to the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) report scheduled for later Thursday. Analysts expect a 0.3% month-on-month rise for August and a year-on-year increase of 2.9%. Any stronger-than-expected inflation reading could slow gold’s momentum by tempering expectations for aggressive rate cuts.

Political Uncertainty Adds Support

Gold also found support amid concerns about the Federal Reserve’s independence. A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook, following White House efforts that raised investor fears of political interference in monetary policy. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, prolonging uncertainty.

As a non-yielding asset, gold benefits from lower interest rates, which reduce its opportunity cost, and typically gains when the dollar weakens. On Thursday, the dollar index inched up 0.1% but remained below recent peaks.

Other Precious Metals Mixed

Other metals saw mixed movements. Silver futures edged up 0.2% to $41.67 per ounce, while platinum futures fell 0.5% to $1,008.20 per ounce. Copper prices were mostly subdued, with London Metal Exchange copper futures down 0.2% at $9,987.30 per ton, and U.S. copper futures holding steady at $4.61 per pound.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.