-- 加拿大皇家銀行資本市場週一表示，受黃金回檔、美元走強和油價大幅上漲的影響，銅股上週下跌5.5%，市場正在消化伊朗戰爭的外溢效應。 由於中國計劃在5月停止硫酸出口，以優先發展國內化肥和電池生產，因此硫酸供應仍是關注焦點。硫酸價格已達每噸約1000美元，威脅到佔全球銅產量20%的浸出作業，剛果民主共和國的銅礦生產主要依賴中東的硫酸。 艾芬豪礦業公司（IVN.TO）是此次硫酸供應緊張的明顯受益者，其新投產的卡莫阿-卡庫拉冶煉廠每天生產1200噸硫酸，以現貨價格計算，每年可產生超過4億美元的副產品收入。 加拿大皇家銀行表示，Capstone Copper (CS.TO) 和 Lundin Mining (LUN.TO) 的智利浸出業務可能面臨成本上漲的壓力，但當地的供應鏈和長期合約可能在短期內起到一定的緩衝作用。
Price: $78.52, Change: $-3.72, Percent Change: -4.52%
(Updates prices and adds UAE's Withdrawal from OPEC in the final two paragraphs.)West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed higher on Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark price flirting with the US$100 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as hopes for an end to the war on Iran fade and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$3.56 to settle at US$99.93 per barrel as it failed to hold the US$100 mark it topped during the session, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$2.58 to US$110.81.Weekend talks expected to be held in Pakistan between Iran and the United States failed to take place, while a Monday proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting a U.S. blockade of its ports and deferring talks over its nuclear program was rejected by President Trump.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The Strait is the chokepoint for 20% of daily global oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations and its closure has produced the largest-ever supply shock, pushing up oil prices by 49% since the start of the war."Oil extended its rally ... amid no signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where US and Iranian blockades have reduced daily transits to near zero. Warnings over the severity of the global supply squeeze continue to intensify, with tightness in refined fuel markets already pushing diesel and jet fuel prices toward USD 200 per barrel," Saxo Bank noted.The closure of the Strait has pushed up spot price for oil, as the Asian nations that rely on Gulf producers compete for available barrels. Rising prices have heightened inflation and raises the risk of a global recession as the lack of supply forces demand destruction and chokes off economic growth."Alarm bells will ring loudly if the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) doesn't reopen during May. Spot crude and product prices will trade higher and higher. And if a decent reopening doesn't take place before June/July, then the risk is significant for a real crisis where the world may be forced to reduce its oil consumption closer to the level of availability," Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst commodities at SEB Research, wrote.Also on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates, the No.3 OPEC producer and the No.7 global oil exporter, said it will withdraw from OPEC on May 1, freeing itself from the cartel's quota system that restricted its output well below its production capacity."We reaffirm our appreciation for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance and wish them success. During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets," the country's government said in a release.
Apple (AAPL) is planning a complete redesign of the built-in photo editing features for its products in a move to rely more on artificial intelligence-powered tools, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.The company is working on a new suite of tools that are powered by its Apple Intelligence platform for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, which are set for release this fall, the sources told the media outlet.The new tools will permit users to extend, enhance, and reframe images using AI models that are on the device, with processing typically taking a few seconds, according to the report.With the move, Apple is aiming to better compete with Android devices, which have offered AI-photo editing capabilities for years, according to the report.Apple did not immediately reply to a request for comment from.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $270.27, Change: $+2.65, Percent Change: +0.99%
UFP Industries (UFPI) said Tuesday it has acquired the operating assets of Berry Pallets, for about $20 million.The purchase, including real estate, of the pallet maker in Waseca, Minnesota, expands its footprint and strengthens its ability to serve customers in the upper Midwest, UFP said.The acquisition adds about $23 million in annual sales, the company said. It expects to close the transaction May 18.Price: $95.66, Change: $-0.33, Percent Change: -0.34%