FTSE 100 closes 165pts higherWall Street starts Thursday stronglyUK Services PMI misses March expectations BT Group and Vodafone land 5G bandwidth, shares riseRank Group issues profit warning as both bingo and casino revenue slides FTSE 100 joined global equities to close firmly higher on Thursday as the pound  weakened and  China, US trade war worries eased.The UK bluechip-ben...Read More

The company outlined a 29% production drop in the March quarter due to higher rainfall and lower evaporation rates.It said although production in the June quarter was expected to be significantly higher, its full year production would be about 10% lower than expected.In London, diversified miner Anglo American (LN:AAL) fell 3.17%. Reports have emerged it will be fined BRL125.6 million (US$37.7 mil...Read More

Zimbabwe wants mining firms to list on the local bourse as part of efforts under new president Emmerson Mnangagwa to boost investment and local ownership of its vast mineral resources, a new bill before parliament showed.Mnangagwa, who took power in November when the military ousted Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades, has vowed to revitalise the economy and unlock investment in the mining sec...Read More

(IDEX Online News) - The IDEX polished diamond price index was flat during March following small increases in January and February.                                             &nb...Read More

The faith of a controversial potash project in the state of Michigan may soon be defined, as regulators are considering a fresh proposal submitted by Michigan Potash Co.The Colorado-based company's plan includes the construction of a plant in central Michigan where the commodity, used as crop nutrient, will be treated.Michigan Potash seeks to extract the fertilizer ingredient through solution mi...Read More

The US Labor Department's official jobs data for March has a tough act to follow.Last month's US non-farm payrolls report showed employers added a much bigger-than-expected 313,000 jobs in February.Economists had forecast payroll growth of 200,000.A strong labour market contributed the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates last month by a quarter percentage point to a range of 1.5% to...Read More

April 5 (Reuters) - Gold prices fell on Thursday, after hitting a one-week high in the previous session, as the dollar steadied and equities recovered on the United States's willingness to negotiate on tariffs with China, easing fears of a full-blown trade war.FUNDAMENTALS* Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at $1,331 per ounce as of 0052 GMT, and the U.S. gold futures fell 0.4 percent to $1,335.10 an...Read More

World's number one miner BHP (ASX:BHP) confirmed Thursday it has decided to leave the World Coal Association (WCA) over differences on climate change, but said it will keep its affiliation to the US Chamber of Commerce, which was also under review.The miner, which publicly supports the Paris climate accord, first signalled its intent to potentially leave the global coal-lobbying group last year, a...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Pangolin Diamonds Corp. has signed an option agreement to earn up to a 75% interest in the AK10 diamond project located in Botswana, situated 4 km from the AK06/Karowe mine.   The option agreement is with Makanwu Civil Blasting (MCB), a private company incorporated in Botswana.   "I am extremely pleased with this transaction.  The AK10 kimberlite has been under evalu...Read More

The reinstatement was subject to conditions including plant construction starting within three months, commissioning by September 30 and first production by December 30.Read More

(Kitco News) - The yellow metal can’t find the needed momentum for a breakout in either direction, according to famed investor and “Bond King” Jeffrey Gundlach.“The price of gold has been off the radar screen. It’s interesting how gold can't seem to get any momentum above $1,350, yet it doesn't drop. So that's been consolidating sideways,” Gundlach told CNBC on...Read More

Shire Plc (LON:SHP) shares gained 123p or  3.4%, trading at 3,724, amid rising speculation that a big may be coming from Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical.Market talk was boosted by comments from Takeda boss Christophe Weber, who reportedly told analysts that the acquisition of Shire could accelerate his company's transformation and the target's large size would not be an obstacle.3:45pm: Weather...Read More

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Permian basin in Texas is leading the way as U.S. oil production has reached an all-time high, but the prolific output is causing bottlenecks as pipelines transporting the crude have filled up more quickly than expected.That has depressed prices there, posing a threat to future production, while providing a boost to pipeline companies as the lines have filled to near-capac...Read More

Today’s decline is the result of a couple of factors, including a stronger dollar and the perception that tension has eased in regards to the trade dispute between the United States and China.The easing of concerns about the real possibility of a looming trade war rests squarely on the shoulders of the recently appointed economic advisor, Larry Kudlow. The new economic advisor hit the ground...Read More

MCX ZINC TRADING TIPSMcx Zinc Trading – Today Zinc BUY Call 470 given at price 208.85 Achieved 2nd Target level 211. CMP 211.05. Total profit of 2.20 x 2 lot = 4.40 PointsTIPS ID 470 : Free Zinc Calls - BUY Zinc at Current Market price 208.85 for Target 210 - 211 with SL below price 207. RISK Taker trade 2 lotsAFTER POST CONTENT Read More

NEW YORK, April 5 (LPC) - Nine banks are facing losses on a fully underwritten US$1.02bn loan and bond financing backing the buyout of US greeting cards and stationery maker American Greetings by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) after a weak response from investors, three sources familiar with the matter said.The debt includes a Barclays-led term loan B that has been ups...Read More

U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 13 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of economic news at 8:30 AM EDT. Consensus for February U.S. Trade Deficit was $56.8 billion versus $56.6 billion in January. Actual was $57.6 billion. Consensus for Weekly Jobless Claims was 226,000 versus 215,000 last week. Actua...Read More

Muttenz-headquartered Clariant expects to see growth across its core care chemicals, catalysis, natural resources, and plastics and coatings businesses.The Trump US government is lowering company taxes and has generally overseen a period of increased business confidence, investment and employment over the past 12 months."Clariant is … excited about its plans for growth over the next four ye...Read More

(Kitco News) - Gold prices were ending the U.S. day session moderately lower Thursday. The world marketplace quickly returned to a more robust risk appetite today, as evidenced by rallying stock markets. A higher U.S. dollar index today that scored a five-week high also was a negative element for the precious metals markets. June Comex gold futures were last down $10.40 an ounce at $1,329.90. May...Read More

Listen to this podcast on our site by clicking here or subscribe on iTunes here."Many retirees and pre-retirees worry about market losses derailing their retirement yet pursue aggressive investment strategies," notes a recent comprehensive survey by MassMutual. Financial Sense Newshour's Jim Puplava discussed some of the key highlights and offers some advice for investors given the...Read More