Oil steady as tariff uncertainty keeps investors on edge

oil price

LONDON: Oil prices held steady on Monday as concern over the impact of U.S. tariff uncertainty and rising output from OPEC+ producers pressured prices while potential sanctions on Iranian oil exports provided some support. Brent crude rose by 10 cents to $70.46 a barrel by 1057 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.14, also up 10 cents. Last week marked WTI’s seventh consecutive weekly loss, the longest losing streak since November 2023, while Brent fell for a third consecutive week. U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies have roiled…

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Ontario imposes 25% surcharge on electricity exports to US

Power-sector

OTTAWA: The Canadian province of Ontario is imposing a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York state, Michigan and Minnesota to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Premier Doug Ford said on Monday. “President Trump’s tariffs are a disaster for the U.S. economy. They’re making life more expensive for American families and businesses,” Ford said in a statement. “Until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario won’t back down. We’ll stand strong, use every tool in our toolkit and do whatever it takes to…

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Bazaar Technologies expands into fintech with Wemsol acquisition

Bazaar-Tech-Logo (1)

CCP approves bazaar’s 100% stake in Wemsol, strengthening Its position in digital payments The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has granted approval to Bazaar Technologies (Private) Limited for the acquisition of a 100% shareholding in Wemsol (Private) Limited. The move marks Bazaar’s strategic expansion into Pakistan’s fintech ecosystem, diversifying its portfolio beyond e-commerce and wholesale distribution. Bazaar Technologies, founded in 2020 by Hamza Jawaid and Saad Jangda, is one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing startups. It operates as a B2B e-commerce marketplace, enabling small retailers and businesses to procure inventory seamlessly. The…

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Govt planning to borrow Rs1.25trn from banks to clear circular debt, says brokerage house

Power-sector

In a key development for Pakistan’s power sector, the government was planning to borrow Rs1.25 trillion from the banking sector to retire the circular debt, stated brokerage house Topline Securities in a report on Friday. Pakistan circular debt crisis is a significant challenge for the country’s energy sector and its broader economy. The circular debt refers to the cascading cycle of non-payments throughout the energy supply chain. “As per our channel checks and various news reports, presidents of the different commercial banks attended a meeting in Islamabad yesterday (Thursday) to…

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Global LNG: Asian spot LNG price flat amid bearish Europe gas sentiment

LNG

SINGAPORE: Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices were flat this week, holding at a ten-week low amid Europe’s bearish gas price sentiment, though some emerging spot demand has curbed losses. The average LNG price for April delivery into northeast Asia <LNG-AS> was at $13.50 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), industry sources estimated. Asian LNG prices are bearish, driven by anticipated declines in the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) benchmark in Europe and stable Pacific supply, said Kpler analyst Go Katayama. “Looking ahead, Asian LNG prices are expected to…

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