Commodities (Crude Oil & Copper) & Macro Outlook

According to Shanghai Steel Union data released today, MMLC battery-grade lithium carbonate (early session) traded at a mid-price of 159,250 yuan per ton, up 750 yuan per ton from yesterday's 4:30 PM closing price.

Japanese stock markets showed mixed performance on September 1st as Middle East tensions escalated, with the Nikkei 225 falling 605.66 points (0.91%) to 65,706.27 as of 9:10 AM, while the Topix index rose 0.06% to 4,158.95. The decline followed renewed US-Iran military exchanges on the night of the

According to Yonhapnews, Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 0.91% to 65,706.27 on the morning of September 1 as Middle East tensions reignited. The decline followed renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran overnight: the U.S. military conducted airstrikes on Iranian Islamic Revolutionary

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office, a tanker was struck by three unidentified projectiles on August 31 while departing the Strait of Hormuz, approximately 17 nautical miles east of Salalah, Oman. The authority reported no casualties or environmental damage from the incident and

According to Odaily, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) launched a new WTI crude oil futures contract last Sunday, representing just 10 barrels with a trading size of approximately $860 at current prices. The new offering complements CME's existing micro WTI contract (100 barrels) and standard co

According to Jin10, as of 09:30 Beijing time on September 1, New York gold futures fell 0.19%, silver rose 0.01%, and copper gained 0.70%.

According to Jin10, as of 9:30 AM Beijing time on September 1, WTI crude oil futures rose 0.28%, while U.S. natural gas futures declined 0.17%.

According to President Trump on August 31, Exxon Mobil will re-enter Venezuela, marking its first major investment in the country since 2007. The announcement came as the U.S. and Venezuela unveiled a major oil agreement involving 17 oil fields with combined proven reserves of

According to reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decisions on 34 small refinery exemption applications for the 2025 compliance year. The EPA granted full exemptions (100%) to 18 applications, partial exemptions (50%) to 11 applications, and rejected 3 applications.

According to China Energy Information Service, as of September 1 (the second working day of the pricing cycle), China's benchmark crude oil average price stood at $87.74 per barrel with a change rate of 0.04%. Based on this, domestic gasoline and diesel retail prices are expected to rise by 5 yuan p

South Korea's August 2026 exports surged 68.7% year-over-year to $98.25 billion, marking the country's third-highest export record, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on September 1. The surge was driven by semiconductor exports, which skyrocketed 209% to $46.65 billio

In early trading on September 1, Chinese commodity futures showed mixed movements. SC crude oil, ethylene glycol (EG), asphalt, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), methanol, and styrene (EB) surged over 3%, with plastic averaging a near 3% monthly gain. On the downside, Shanghai silver declined over 2%,

According to EDaily, South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index fell 0.52% to 6,784.29 and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ dropped 1.21% to 824.21 on September 1, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street driven by renewed US-Iran military tensions and surging crude oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

According to Futures Quick News PRO, multiple Chinese government departments announced housing support policies on September 1, lifting terminal demand expectations and triggering a rebound in glass futures prices. Separately, escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and reported disruptions in the Strait of

According to Jin10 Futures, on September 1, Chinese fuel oil prices rose amid easing oil market conditions and low refinery inventory levels. Downstream restocking combined with tight supply and steady demand is expected to support the market's upward momentum. Trading activity is anticipated to

According to energy intelligence firm Rystad Energy, Venezuela's oil production will require decades to recover to its peak level of over 3 million barrels per day, despite recent production growth following U.S. negotiations. Rystad projects new crude output initially from existing wells will grow

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, a major copper-gold ore deposit has been discovered in the Chating area of Xuancheng, Anhui Province, marking a significant breakthrough in China's new round of mineral prospecting initiative. The main ore body measures approximately 1.2 kilometers

According to Melick, global commodities strategist at TD Securities, traders reduced their net crude oil positions this week amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the Iran conflict. The strategist noted that no signs indicate normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz will resume i

According to Yonhapinfomax, the USD/KRW exchange rate fell to 1,368.00 won on Sept 1, down 0.60 won from the previous Seoul market close and 11.90 won lower than August 29, marking the lowest level in 13 months. The decline was driven by month-end selling pressure and a pullback in U.S. dollar