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CLS Holdings (LSE:CLI) has agreed to sell its Fangdieckstrasse 75 property in Hamburg for €25.35 million, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The agreed sale price represents a 9% discount to the property’s latest valuation. CLS said proceeds from the disposal will be used to reduce debt and that the transaction forms part of its plans to focus its German property portfolio.

The property comprises approximately 13,116 square metres of office, laboratory and training space and is nearly fully let.

CLS acquired the site in 2007 and subsequently repositioned the property, including expanding its laboratory and office space and securing long-term leases.

The disposal is consistent with the group’s approach of actively managing properties and recycling capital through asset sales.

Completion of the transaction is expected during the fourth quarter of 2026.

More About CLS Holdings

CLS Holdings plc is a London-based real estate investment company with a portfolio that includes office, laboratory and training properties.

The group has operations in Germany and uses active asset management measures, including property repositioning and long-term leasing, as part of its portfolio management strategy.

EnergyPathways plc (LSE:EPP) provided an update on the development of its Marram Energy Storage Hub, an integrated offshore and onshore energy infrastructure project in the East Irish Sea that has been designated a project of national significance by the U.K. government.

The proposed development is designed to combine compressed air, natural gas and hydrogen storage with hydrogen, ammonia and graphite production.

At the centre of the project is a planned long-duration energy storage facility with capacity of 300 MW and 55 GWh. EnergyPathways plans to use salt caverns to store surplus wind-generated electricity through compressed air energy storage and release the energy when required.

The company said it expects the facility to be capable of delivering electricity at costs below gas-fired generation and competing storage technologies. It also estimates that capital expenditure per unit of storage would be below battery and pumped hydro alternatives.

EnergyPathways expects the storage facility to have access to potential revenue from wholesale electricity markets as well as balancing, capacity and ancillary services.

Gas and Hydrogen Storage Plans

The Marram hub also includes plans for strategic natural gas and hydrogen storage with capacity of approximately 1.3 billion cubic metres.

According to EnergyPathways, this would be equivalent to as much as six days of U.K. gas demand and could approximately double the country’s existing gas storage capacity. The company also intends for the infrastructure to provide a future pathway for hydrogen storage.

A further component of the development involves hydrogen-based industrial production. EnergyPathways plans to use methane pyrolysis technology to produce hydrogen, ammonia and graphite.

The company said the proposed production could provide domestically sourced graphite for industries including defence, automotive and energy-transition applications.

Jacobs Appointed to Support Consent Process

Following completion of pre-front-end engineering and design work, EnergyPathways appointed Jacobs to lead the Development Consent Order process for the Marram project and support regulatory engagement.

EnergyPathways said it is also holding discussions with banks, institutional investors and potential strategic partners as it works towards financing arrangements and capacity offtake agreements.

The project remains subject to further development, regulatory processes, financing and future investment decisions.

More About EnergyPathways plc

EnergyPathways plc is an AIM-quoted energy transition company developing infrastructure intended to support the U.K. energy system.

Its flagship Marram Energy Storage Hub is planned for the East Irish Sea and Barrow-in-Furness and incorporates long-duration energy storage, natural gas and hydrogen storage, and hydrogen, ammonia and graphite production.

The company is assembling a group of partners around the project and expects Marram, if developed as planned, to include what it describes as the U.K.’s largest long-duration energy storage facility alongside offshore gas and hydrogen storage infrastructure and an integrated industrial production complex.

Jersey Oil & Gas (LSE:JOG) reported unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026, with cash of £10.1 million and no debt as it continued work on the Greater Buchan Area development in the UK North Sea.

The company said its 20% share of expenditure on the Buchan project is fully carried by joint venture partners NEO NEXT+ and Serica Energy. Jersey Oil & Gas is also entitled to an additional contingent cash payment following future field development plan approvals.

Jersey Oil & Gas holds UK tax allowances that the company said could provide more than $60 million in potential tax savings.

Management is reassessing the development plan for the Greater Buchan Area within a revised investment timeframe. The work is focused on determining the preferred redevelopment approach and assessing opportunities to add volumes to the project.

The company said the review is taking place amid UK energy policy developments and delays to project approvals. Jersey Oil & Gas is engaging with regulators and expects to submit requests for licence extensions later in 2026.

The company remains focused on exploration and development opportunities on the UK Continental Shelf, with the Greater Buchan Area representing its principal development interest.

Jersey Oil & Gas said its current cost base has been aligned with its level of activity while it progresses work on the project and regulatory process.

The bond market remains under pressure as there’s still no progress in the Iran-US talks, with Tehran saying it won’t soften its demands after Trump rejected its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US blockade and restrictions on Iranian ports. 

Hence, oil prices jumped on Monday, with the US 10-year yield rising 7bps to 5.23%, its highest since 2007, while the 30-year yield hit a more than 22-year high. 

Now, once the 10-year Treasury yield breaks above 5.25%, bonds could lose their defensive role as stocks and bonds move in tandem, forcing portfolios to recalibrate and adding to market volatility. 

And a priori, there’s little chance of sentiment returning without a resolution on Iran. 

With PMIs still pointing to solid growth, the Cleveland Fed forecasting 5.1% annualized growth this quarter, and the AI boom driving demand for both capital and labor, the Fed has little reason to turn dovish. No wonder rate swaps now price roughly 100bps of Fed hikes over the next year, taking rates from 3.75%–4.00% to 4.75%–5.00%. 

The Treasury buyback program probably won’t help much either, as it mainly swaps older, less liquid bonds for newer ones without reducing overall debt, while new supply keeps coming, with the Treasury selling $70bn of five-year notes at a 5.03% yield after offering a premium to attract demand. 

As for what happens if bond yields keep rising, the short answer is that risk appetite could weaken, putting further pressure on equities and crypto, including Bitcoin and Ethereum prices.

The good news is that the worse markets perform and the closer we get to the US midterms, the more incentive Trump may have to pull a mega TACO and sign a deal with Tehran, even if it’s far from ideal. If that doesn’t happen, it’s hard to see AI developments saving markets this time. 

Copper prices moved lower on Monday, reaching their lowest level in more than a week as investors assessed weaker economic data from China alongside a stronger US dollar.

Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange declined 1.8% to $14,364 per metric ton at 09:13 GMT.

The metal earlier traded as low as $14,354 per metric ton, marking its lowest level since September 17.

China Industrial Profits Data in Focus

Industrial profit growth in China slowed during August as increases in technology manufacturing associated with the artificial intelligence sector were not enough to offset weaker domestic demand.

China is the world’s largest copper consumer, making changes in the country’s economic activity relevant to expectations for demand for the metal.

The US dollar strengthened during Monday’s session, while higher oil prices were also cited as a factor in the decline in copper prices.

US stock index futures moved lower on Monday as crude oil prices recovered following developments surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

US crude oil futures climbed 2.6%, reversing part of Friday’s 2.3% decline. The latest move followed the rejection by President Donald Trump of a conditional Iranian proposal concerning a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the source material, Iran’s proposal called for a seven-day ceasefire and the reopening of the strait, along with a resumption of nuclear negotiations, in exchange for the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Trump had told aides he expects to resume bombing Iran following the November midterm elections.

Investors Await US Inflation Data

The US economic calendar is relatively limited at the beginning of the week, with attention expected to turn to Wednesday’s personal income and spending report from the Commerce Department.

The report covers August and includes inflation measures monitored by the Federal Reserve.

The figures will provide additional data on inflation before the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting scheduled for late next month.

Major US Indexes Gained on Friday

Wall Street finished higher on Friday after the major averages fluctuated during the early part of the session.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 478.64 points, or 0.9%, to close at 51,828.62. The index had previously reached its lowest closing level in more than three months.

The Nasdaq Composite gained 129.34 points, or 0.5%, to finish at 27,068.72, while the S&P 500 increased 39.28 points, or 0.5%, to 7,743.41.

Across the week, the Nasdaq advanced 2.1%, the S&P 500 rose 1.2% and the Dow gained 0.3%.

Treasury Yields Remain Elevated

Friday’s gains in US equities coincided with a decline of more than 2% in US crude oil futures following a 4.5% increase over the previous two sessions.

The move in oil followed reports that Iran had submitted a proposal to the US addressing the conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury yields also remained elevated. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield ended Friday at its highest closing level since July 2007, although it retreated from its highest point of the session.

The source material said inflation concerns had contributed to expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates again next month.

Airline and Technology Shares Rise

Airline stocks advanced during Friday’s decline in crude oil prices, with the NYSE Arca Airline Index rising 3.7% to its highest closing level in more than a month.

The NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index gained 2.3%, while semiconductor, software and banking stocks also moved higher.

Natural gas stocks declined during the session alongside lower natural gas prices.

Monday’s futures moves put crude oil prices, Treasury yields and developments involving Iran back among the factors being monitored by US equity investors.

Gold extended its decline on Monday, falling more than 3% as higher US Treasury yields, a firmer dollar and expectations surrounding further Federal Reserve interest rate increases remained in focus.

At 04:58 ET, spot gold was down 3.3% at $4,146.12 an ounce, while gold futures declined by the same percentage to $4,178.05. Spot silver fell 5.12% to $61.02 an ounce, while platinum dropped 3.2% to $1,725.01.

The US Dollar Index edged 0.1% higher to 101.09.

Oil Prices Add to Inflation Considerations

Energy prices remained another factor for financial markets as uncertainty continued over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has maintained conditions attached to reopening the waterway after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s proposal. The plan provided for the strait to reopen within seven days while broader negotiations resumed, subject to several conditions.

Trump has indicated that he expects further discussions with Iran during the week.

Brent crude has risen substantially during 2026 amid disruption to regional energy supplies and shipping, adding another consideration for investors assessing the outlook for inflation.

Markets Assess Prospects for Further Fed Rate Increases

Expectations surrounding US monetary policy have also contributed to movements in precious metals.

The Federal Reserve increased the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00% at its September meeting, with the Federal Open Market Committee voting unanimously for the move.

The central bank said economic activity was expanding at a solid pace while inflation remained elevated.

According to the source, financial markets were assigning an approximately 65% probability to another 25-basis-point increase in October.

Higher interest rates and bond yields can reduce the relative appeal of non-yielding assets such as gold. A stronger US dollar can also increase the cost of dollar-denominated metals for buyers using other currencies.

Gold Moves Below Recent Trading Range

Monday’s decline took spot gold below $4,200 an ounce and beneath the $4,230-$4,510 range cited for trading earlier in the month.

Gold was also below its record high of almost $5,600 an ounce reached in January, according to the source.

ANZ said the combination of higher yields and a stronger dollar continued to present a challenging macroeconomic environment for bullion.

The bank also pointed to continued demand from exchange-traded funds, with gold ETF holdings increasing by approximately 50 tonnes so far during the month.

Separate World Gold Council figures showed global physically backed gold ETF holdings increased by 121 tonnes during August to a record 4,189 tonnes.

Inflation and Employment Data Ahead

US economic indicators will provide the next set of data for investors assessing the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

Consumer sentiment weakened to a four-month low in September, according to the source, as respondents expressed increased concerns about prices and broader economic conditions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called for the Federal Reserve to remain open-minded on interest rates. He argued that productivity improvements associated with artificial intelligence and deregulation could help contain inflation.

Markets will next assess August personal consumption expenditures inflation figures and the September employment report.

The Federal Reserve’s September projections showed median PCE inflation of 3.7% for 2026 and core PCE inflation of 3.4%, compared with the central bank’s longer-term inflation objective of 2%.

Oil prices advanced more than 2% on Monday as markets continued to assess uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz after Iran maintained its conditions for reopening the waterway following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s proposal.

At 04:31 ET, November Brent crude futures were up 2.7% at $107.08 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures gained 2.4% to $94.66 a barrel.

Brent futures had risen approximately 18% during the month, including Monday’s increase, according to the source.

Negotiations Remain in Focus

Iran’s proposal provides for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within seven days alongside the resumption of broader negotiations, subject to several conditions.

Those conditions include Washington lifting its naval blockade, reducing military pressure, removing sanctions on Iranian oil sales and agreeing to a ceasefire.

Iran has said it does not intend to change those requirements following Trump’s rejection of the proposal.

Trump has nevertheless said he expects negotiations with Iran to resume during the week, while Qatar has been acting as an intermediary in efforts to restart discussions.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has declined substantially since the conflict began. Before the disruption, around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the waterway.

Regional Attacks Add to Supply Uncertainty

Energy markets are also monitoring developments involving Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen following attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis. The announcement followed the interception of six missiles targeting Taif and the Yanbu area several days earlier.

The disruption to regional shipping has prompted Gulf oil producers to seek alternative routes for moving crude.

Oil Continues to Move Through Hormuz

Despite the reduction in overall shipping activity, some oil continues to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said more than 20 million barrels had transited the waterway over the weekend, according to Axios.

The level and consistency of shipments through the strait remain under scrutiny as negotiations continue and producers adjust their export arrangements.

Diesel Supplies Remain Under Pressure

Refined-product markets are also being monitored as disruptions to oil and fuel exports from the Middle East and Russia affect supplies.

Diesel prices in Europe and the United States had reached record levels, according to the source, amid tighter availability.

Higher crude and refined-product prices can increase fuel and transportation costs. The extent of any broader inflationary effect would depend on how long elevated prices and supply disruptions persist.