Energy buyers burned by the Strait of Hormuz are turning to Africa, and the money is following. The African Energy Chamber projects that Africa’s upstream sector will attract ~$40 billion a year through 2030, lifting the continent’s hydrocarbon output to 12.5 MMboe/d. Mozambique, Nigeria, Angola, Libya and Ivory Coast will take the largest shares of that capital, while new projects in Uganda,…
A stronger trade surplus is modestly supportive for the Australian dollar, reinforcing the currency’s link to commodity prices. With energy prices elevated by the Middle East conflict, Australia is better placed than many importers, as LNG and coal export earnings help cushion a rising fuel bill. The data are unlikely to shift Reserve Bank of Australia expectations on their own, given the…
The data offer something for both sides of the BoJ debate: historically sharp cost pressures support further tightening, while slowing hiring and weaker confidence give the cautious camp ammunition. On balance, the release is unlikely to shift December pricing materially, leaving the yen more sensitive to the BoJ minutes and oil-driven inflation signals. Firms citing inflation as a drag on…
Butane prices are surging across the world. Northwest European November butane prices have reached $1,125/t by early November, their highest level in 30 years, having exceeded even the peaks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Asia, the AFEI butane index stood at $1,180/t on November 3. US butane Belvieu prices have climbed to a 14-year high $920/t. This surge in prices reflects several…