Business
Diesel prices remained elevated on Wednesday as tighter refined-product supplies kept pressure on fuel markets in the United States and Europe. U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel futures jumped 7.4% on Monday to settle at $4.19 a gallon. That marked the contract’s biggest daily gain since July 13. Early Wednesday trading put the contract near $4.28 a gallon, while European diesel refining margins remained at historically high levels after rising nearly 10% on Monday.
Europe’s extreme summer heat and drought could cut EU economic output by about 1% in 2026, according to new analysis from Triodos Bank. The estimated loss equals roughly €180 billion and is close to the European Commission’s current growth forecast for the bloc. In May, the Commission projected EU gross domestic product would rise 1.1% this year. The comparison shows the scale of the weather-related damage estimated in the bank’s analysis.
Denmark’s annual consumer price inflation eased to 1.7% in July from 1.9% in June, with the consumer price index rising 1.3% from the previous month. Core inflation remained steady at 2.3%, with restaurants and hotels making the largest contribution to July inflation. Holiday home rental prices were a key driver within that category. Goods prices were 0.7% lower compared to a year earlier, while services prices rose 3.8%. Denmark’s harmonised index of consumer prices fell to 1.6% in July from 1.8% in June.
Gold advanced for a third consecutive session on Tuesday as bullion extended its rebound from last week. Spot gold gained 1% to $4,432.74 an ounce by 0217 GMT, reaching its highest level since June 5. U.S. gold futures climbed 1.7% to $4,492.60. The move pushed prices above the seven-week peak recorded last week and continued a recovery that accelerated after weaker U.S. employment data.
Spain has begun temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea, in response to Italy’s own controls on arrivals from Spain. The checks will be in place until Sept. 7, adding document checks to routes that normally operate under the EU’s Schengen system. Italy imposed its controls after a large migration influx into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, with around 72,000 migrants entering the region. Spain called on Italy to withdraw its restrictions before implementing its own measures.
Japan successfully launched its H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite on Tuesday. H3 Flight No. 9 lifted off at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time from the Tanegashima Space Center. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, confirmed satellite separation about 29 minutes and four seconds after liftoff. The agency said the rocket followed its planned flight path and placed QZS-7 into its predetermined orbit.
The global luxury market faces a 2% decline in 2024, with 50 million consumers exiting due to high prices and reduced innovation, Bain & Company’s annual report reveals.
