Commodities Market Analysis
AlphaScala analysis of metals and energy markets, newest first, with commodity profiles and the weekly gold and oil briefings.
Latest Commodities
- Data deskCommoditiesDistillate Stocks Fall 3.6 Million Barrels to 13% Below AverageEIA reported commercial crude down 0.9 million barrels to 409.8 million, refineries at 94.5% utilization. Managed money's WTI net long was 31,128 contracts.
- Data deskCommoditiesEIA: US Crude Stocks Fall 1.9 Million Barrels to 410.6 MillionGasoline stocks rose 3.9 million barrels while distillates fell 1.5 million, EIA said Oct. 28. Managed money held a net long of 36,187 WTI contracts.
- AnalysisCommoditiesGold Fields H1 Profit Doubles on $4,678 Gold, Salares Norte SurgeGold Fields H1 free cash flow doubled to $2.2bn on record gold prices and a 173% surge at Salares Norte. The miner raised its 2026 production outlook for the Chilean asset while flagging timing risks at the Windfall project in Canada.
- AnalysisCommoditiesNewmont's Rising Costs Threaten to Eat Into $4,500 Gold WindfallGold near $4,516 an ounce gives Newmont nearly $2,800 of margin per ounce, but rising CAS and AISC costs threaten to eat into the windfall. The Q3 report in late October will show whether execution has caught up with the commodity rally.
- AnalysisCommoditiesLANXESS Cuts Deeper, Eyes Debt Below 2.5x as Ag, Construction DragLANXESS pushes deeper cost cuts and debt reduction as weak agriculture and construction markets pressure earnings. The company targets net debt below 2.5x EBITDA and continues reshaping its portfolio toward specialties and U.S. growth.
- AnalysisCommoditiesTexas Stock Exchange Opens as Finance Firms Flee High-Tax StatesThe Texas Stock Exchange began trading last month, backed by Goldman Sachs, Citadel, and JPMorgan. IRS data shows Texas led all states in inbound migration from 2022-2023 as firms flee high-tax states for Dallas-Fort Worth.
- AnalysisCommoditiesWheaton Posts Record Q2, Doubles Antamina Silver Stream ShareWheaton's Q2 revenue rose 85% to $929M on record prices. The BHP Antamina stream now doubles silver share, lifting H2 output toward the 940K GEO guidance top.
- AnalysisCommoditiesWES Raises 2026 EBITDA View $250M on Brazos, Water GrowthWES raised its 2026 EBITDA midpoint by $250M after record Q2 and the Brazos Delaware II close. Produced-water growth now seen at 85% for the year.
- AnalysisCommoditiesDiamondback Energy Raises 2026 Output View 4%, Eyes Power ProjectDiamondback raised its 2026 output outlook by 4% as CEO Van't Hof flagged declining global inventories. A behind-the-meter power project could deliver first gas by late 2027.
- AnalysisCommoditiesPentanet leads HotCopper trends after 60% jumpPentanet's FY26 update showed revenue up 8% to A$24.4m and EBITDA up 74%. Codrus Minerals raised A$2.5m, and Hamelin Gold flagged diamond drilling at Day Dawn.
- AnalysisCommoditiesBeef Drives 41% of Global Deforestation, Study FindsA new study pinpoints the commodities responsible for forest loss since 2000, with beef leading. Palm oil deforestation has fallen sharply after corporate and government action. Unilever is among the companies that adopted no-deforestation policies.
- AnalysisCommoditiesLinde Q2 Profit Rises on Record Backlog, Homecare Unit Under ReviewLinde posted record sales and a $8.1B project backlog in Q2. Operating margins slipped 30bps. The U.S. homecare business Lincare weighed on results. Management is evaluating the unit's fit.
Data desk pieces are written from primary-source records (regulatory filings and official releases, linked in each piece), and every figure is checked automatically against them before publication.
More Commodities Analysis

Crude Draw Tightens Supply Ahead of OPEC+ Decision
API reports a 3.3M barrel crude draw, tightening supply. OPEC+ meets June 1 to decide on returning 2.2M bpd of cuts. EIA data due Wednesday.

OMAH's 15% Yield: Covered Calls, Not Dividends
OMAH's 305% payout ratio reveals a 15% yield funded by option premiums, not dividends. The Berkshire-style equity floor is durable, but volatility risk and a 1% expense ratio cut into returns.

EQT Beats Q2 Estimates, Cuts Capex as Gas Prices Stay Weak
EQT beat Q2 estimates on higher NGL output and lower costs, then cut 2026 capex as weak gas prices prompt a slowdown in drilling. The stock rose 2.8%.

Prologis pushes SEGRO on merger with 5.8GW data center pitch
Prologis released a new investor presentation Thursday arguing SEGRO shareholders should evaluate a merger, citing a 5.8GW data center pipeline and cost synergies across a 1.5B sq ft portfolio.

Viper Energy Completes $337M Riverbend Deal, Adds Permian Royalties
Viper Energy issued $337M in cash and 3.7M shares to acquire Riverbend mineral interests in the Permian. The deal expands Viper's royalty base and tests its ability to grow distributions per share.

Alcoa's $5.6B Aluminum Bet: Debt Load and AI Demand
Alcoa pays $3.1B cash plus stock for South32's alumina chain. Debt load hits $7B. Synergies hinge on metal prices. Sector read-through: AA, BE.

Record Heat Tests PJM Grid as EU Hits Low-Cost Imports
The DoE declared a power emergency for PJM Interconnection as a heat wave pushes demand toward records. The EU began a €3 customs fee on low-value imports from outside the bloc.

10 Energy Stocks Yielding Over 3% After the War Rally Fades
Energy stocks yield 2.66% vs 1.08% for the S&P 500. Get the 10 highest-yielding names, including Chevron (CVX), CNQ, and Equinor, with Alpha Score ratings and post-war analysis.
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