Five Market Insights for the Week Ahead
1. Oil:
- Oil prices have dropped 8.8% since President Trump's inauguration, marking the steepest three-week decline since October.
- This is the sharpest drop for the first three weeks of a US president's term since 1997.
- Oil prices rose on Monday.
2. Gold:
- Several major gold miners will report fourth-quarter earnings, including Agnico Eagle Mines, Newmont Corp., and Barrick Gold Corp.
- Investors will monitor outlooks on production and costs, especially after a disappointing third quarter for Barrick and Newmont.
- Gold prices hit a new record high on Monday.
3. Grains:
- The USDA's WASDE report is expected to lower its corn supply outlook.
- Brazil is projected to have another record soybean harvest.
4. LNG:
- China's retaliatory tariffs on US liquefied natural gas (LNG) create opportunities for trading houses and energy companies.
- They can resell US cargoes to Chinese buyers in exchange for gas from other regions, earning a commission.
- The tariffs took effect on Monday.
5. Orange Juice:
- US orange juice consumption has halved since its peak in the late 1990s.
- Demand hit a record low in 2025 and is projected to remain weak.
- Elevated prices due to hurricanes and crop disease are contributing to the decline.
- Orange juice futures fell on Monday.