All articles tagged with #metals
A study of 18 scorpion species found zinc, manganese, and iron are concentrated in stressed parts of their stingers and pincers, with zinc-rich tips and manganese layers on stingers and zinc/iron on claws, reinforcing these weapons to resist wear and boost hunting efficiency, offering insight into arthropod evolution.
Scientists mapped metal use in 18 scorpion species and found zinc concentrates at sting tips while manganese dominates down the stinger, with zinc and iron lining the inner cutting edge of pincers to boost durability; patterns vary by species according to hunting style, suggesting metal reinforcement evolves with weapon use. The study, using micro X-ray fluorescence microscopy, was published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface (2026).
CME Group halted trading in its CME Globex metals and natural gas futures and options markets due to technical issues. Natural gas futures and options will pre‑open at 12:45 Central Time and open at 12:50 Central Time as the firm investigates. All day orders and good‑till‑date orders for Wednesday were canceled, while good‑till‑canceled orders that had already been acknowledged would remain in place. CME said it is looking into the disruption.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have identified 70 dusty, star-forming galaxies at the edge of the observable universe, seen less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang. From an initial set of around 400 bright galaxies, JWST follow-up confirmed these candidates as metal-rich, suggesting that heavy-element production and star formation began earlier than current models predict, potentially reshaping our understanding of cosmic evolution and linking these galaxies to both ultrabright early systems and older, quiescent populations.
A sharp wave of risk-off trading hit markets as gold and silver plunged (silver down as much as 30% and gold around 15% at one point) and bitcoin slid up to 10% to below $80,000, marking the strongest turbulence since November. Citi attributed broad risk-off flows and falling stock futures as traders weigh whether volatility signals a turning point. Retail buyers later helped metals recover over the weekend, and investors will watch if correlated assets move in tandem to gauge whether the choppiness persists or fades.
Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed to a fresh record near 10,300 as a rebound in gold and silver eased the metals rout and helped mining shares, while investors kept an eye on US dollar moves tied to Kevin Warsh’s nomination as Fed chair; the broader live blog also notes oil easing, cocoa price declines, and Disney’s quarterly results.
Asian shares fall as a wild metals rout spooks markets ahead of a busy earnings week, with gold and silver plunging on margin pressure, US futures slipping, and currency moves signaling caution ahead of central-bank policy decisions.
US stocks declined as the recent gold rally cooled, triggering a sharp slide in metals prices and weighing on commodity-related shares.
US stock futures pointed to a second consecutive loss for 2026, with S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq futures down about 0.2%, as metals surged to record highs (gold and silver) and Bitcoin topped $95,000. The tone remained cautious ahead of earnings and Fed speakers, while European shares rose and oil steadied after a recent rally. Investors weighed geopolitical tensions and upcoming data against a backdrop of resilient demand for risk assets.
Gold prices are on track for a weekly gain of about 3.9%, reaching near record highs, driven by weaker-than-expected US job growth, geopolitical tensions, and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with projections of gold potentially surpassing $5,000 in 2026.
Copper prices have reached a new high due to concerns over potential supply disruptions, highlighting ongoing volatility in the commodity market.
Global markets started the year positively with rising futures, record-breaking Asian stocks, the FTSE surpassing 10,000, a rebound in precious metals, and stable currency and crypto markets, though caution remains about reading too much into the first trading day.
The USGS has expanded its list of critical minerals to 60, covering 80% of mined commodities, highlighting their vital role in modern technology, national security, and the shift towards clean energy, with geopolitical implications due to China's dominance in supply.
Copper prices have experienced their largest increase in over a decade, highlighting significant shifts in the commodity market.
In 2025, gold and silver prices surged dramatically due to Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical fears, while copper, often seen as an economic health indicator, is poised for a significant rally driven by rising demand from AI infrastructure needs and a supply deficit. Investors are considering copper stocks like Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper, as well as ETFs like COPX, to capitalize on this potential growth in the upcoming years.