Global Food Commodity Prices Climb to Three-Year High as Ukraine War, Heatwaves Squeeze Supply
August 7, 2026, 6:04 AM EDT.Global food commodity prices are at a three-year high, driven by continued disruptions from the Ukraine war, Middle East unrest and heatwaves that hit supply lines. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says its Food Price Index is now at its highest level since January 2023. Wheat prices jumped 5.8% in July after issues with Black Sea exports and damaged crops. Maize and sorghum both rose, but barley and rice were flat or saw declines. Higher food costs are putting pressure on global food security, and weak UK grass growth is threatening feed for livestock. Volkswagen is also under strain, reporting a 14.5% drop in earnings and warning it needs to act to stay competitive.
Rail passengers facing more disruption aft…
Trump sets 15% tariff on imported polysilicon to support US chip and solar makers
August 7, 2026, 6:03 AM EDT. Donald Trump ordered a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon starting December 4, aiming at Chinese shipments to help US chip and solar supply chains compete. The White House said polysilicon is vital for semiconductors used in AI, data centers, and solar production. US companies say China’s subsidies and dumping are distorting prices. Beijing responded, calling the tariff protectionist and a blow to trade ties. Hemlock Semiconductor in Michigan and Wacker Chemie’s Tennessee plant are two major US polysilicon producers. The new tariff sets a price floor and could push more investment into US plants as the administration moves to shore up technology supply lines.
Trump orders new 15% tariff on key materia…
Australian Shares Log 3.5% Weekly Jump, Set Records as Global Worries Persist
August 7, 2026, 6:02 AM EDT. The Australian share market booked a 3.5% gain this week and set back-to-back record highs, even as headlines around the Strait of Hormuz rattled global traders. The ASX 200 shed 0.1% on Friday to 9263.6, but miners and banks kept Australia on investors’ radar as the global AI rally lost some steam. Energy names like Woodside, Santos, and Ampol edged up with gold and oil climbing on geopolitics. Healthcare and financials dragged, with drops in ResMed and Commonwealth Bank. Investors stayed careful with key inflation and profit data on the way. Earnings at James Hardie Industries jumped, showing some pockets of strength.
Weekly wrap: market records and a 3.5% wee…
Trump Rips Oil Giants Over War Windfalls, Talks Tax as Exxon, Chevron Profits Jump
August 7, 2026, 5:47 AM EDT. Donald Trump went after big oil for making “too much money” during the Iran war, saying some of those profits should go back to the public. ExxonMobil and Chevron posted huge Q2 earnings, up 100% and almost 400%. Still, Trump has backed fossil fuels before, meeting oil execs for campaign cash and rolling back rules. Advocates say his past moves helped drive prices higher, and now they want a windfall tax on the sector. As war-driven supply problems push profits up, the fight over energy earnings and consumer pain is back in focus.
Trump faces calls for windfall tax on big …
FTSE 100 lifts 0.37% as miners and oil get a boost from stronger commodities
August 7, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT. The FTSE 100 climbed 0.37% to 10,907 Friday, getting a push from higher mining and oil stocks as commodity prices moved up. Brent crude traded above $80 a barrel, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and possible bans on US and Israeli shipping through the Strait of Hormuz behind the move. Shares in Fresnillo jumped 5%, lifted by stronger precious metals prices. Diageo gained 1.3% after unveiling its turnaround plan. Persimmon eased 1% with housebuilders seeing some profit-taking as UK house price growth slowed to 0.1% year-on-year. Higher mortgage rates, global economic uncertainty, and UK unemployment at 4.9% continued to hold back sentiment. Investors are still waiting on the US Non-Farm Payrolls report for direction on rates and the economy.
FTSE 100 edges higher as commodities rally
NAB (ASX: NAB): Four Numbers Investors Watch
August 7, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT. National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is one of Australia’s big four banks. Investors following NAB usually focus on four main numbers. Culture is one, with the bank at 3/5 for workplace culture, a bit lower than sector average. Loans and net interest margin (NIM) matter too-NAB’s NIM is 1.71%, a touch under the 1.78% ASX big bank mark, affecting lending profits. Return on equity (ROE) came in at 11.4%, showing steady earnings for shareholders. All together, these numbers are at the core of how NAB gets priced in the market.
NAB share price: 4 key metrics to consider
Goodwin Plc (LSE: GDWN) Jumps 12% on Strategic Review, Five-Year Share Price Up 411%
August 7, 2026, 5:16 AM EDT. Goodwin Plc (LSE: GDWN) jumped 12% on August 7 after the FTSE 250 engineering company said it’s looking at a strategic review that could lead to a sale of much of its Mechanical Engineering unit. The business has racked up a 411% share price gain over five years, outpacing its 1.39% trailing dividend yield. Pre-tax profit moved up from £16.3 million in 2021 to a forecast £35.5 million for 2025. Goodwin’s dividend grew at a 27.9% annual clip, and last year it paid out a 532p special dividend, helped by defence contracts with big margins. Shares fell back on lost tenders and dividend cuts earlier but bounced from 11,950p in March to 21,200p as investors cheered the new strategy and global sales outlook.
Up 410% and still smashing it — this red-h…
Boss Energy (ASX:BOE) lifts on uranium rally, sets fresh Honeymoon feasibility study
August 7, 2026, 5:15 AM EDT. Boss Energy (ASX:BOE) came off June lows at $1.01, trading up to $1.31 as uranium prices climbed and the outlook for its Honeymoon project improved. Spot uranium contracts moved from US$81/lb to US$95/lb over the last year. The company said a “new feasibility study” is due by the end of the month, with updates on mine life, costs and capital. Boss is doubling wellfield spacing to 60 meters, aiming to fix earlier operational problems. Boss Energy, now at a $558 million market cap, is looking to rebuild trust after earlier project setbacks hit the share price.
Barry FitzGerald: Boss Energy bets on a Ho…
SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX) shares slump 51% since June; ChatGPT pegs 2030 target at $225-$400
August 7, 2026, 5:01 AM EDT. SpaceX shares have fallen hard since mid-June, off 51% to around $110 as uncertainty drags on the stock. Elon Musk sticks to a $1 trillion revenue goal by 2030, while Morgan Stanley puts it closer to $330 billion. AI model ChatGPT now calls for $225 per share in 2030, with a bull case of $400. The stock is still sliding after a sell call from Phillip Capital at $75, even as Q2 revenue jumped 92% to $7.8 billion. SpaceX’s long-term play on space exploration isn’t changing, but investors are still seeing plenty of swings in the early going.
I asked ChatGPT where the SpaceX share pri…
Sainsbury's, Tesco slip as heatwave weighs on in-store sales
August 7, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT. Shares of J Sainsbury PLC and Tesco PLC slipped in early trade after fresh data showed the ongoing heatwave is keeping shoppers out of stores. The hot weather has weighed on footfall, hitting retail sales at both UK grocers. Investors turned cautious, with worries about the heatwave dragging on near-term revenue and profit for supermarkets that depend on in-person shopping. Analysts pointed to weather as a direct driver of trends in consumer visits and retail performance as markets watched for any shift.
Sainsbury's and Tesco slip as heatwave kee…
UK House Prices Stagnant in July as Buyers Hold Back on Iran War Worries
August 7, 2026, 4:44 AM EDT. UK housing prices were flat in July. Lloyds said higher borrowing costs and uncertainty over the Iran war kept activity slow. Both monthly and annual price gains stalled as buyers grew cautious, holding back the market.
Prices in UK housing market flat in July a…
Nick Scali (ASX:NCK) posts 22% NPAT jump for FY26, revenue up despite ANZ headwinds
August 7, 2026, 4:43 AM EDT. Nick Scali (ASX:NCK) posted a 22% increase in net profit after tax, hitting $75.7 million in FY 2026. Revenue climbed 4.3% to $516.7 million. Gross margin was 65.6%, supported by solid performance in Australia-New Zealand and the UK. UK like-for-like sales gained 19% in the second half, with gross margin there improving to 60.3%. The company opened four new stores in the period and reported $106.6 million in cash. Conditions in ANZ stayed tough, weighed down by shaky housing, high rates and flat orders. Management flagged more volatility ahead from inflation and geopolitical risks but sees margins holding steady in the UK and ANZ.
Nick Scali Ltd (ASX:NCK) (FY 2026) Earning…
Ashtead Technology (LON:AT.) Seen Up 25% as Revenue Growth Stays Strong
August 7, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT. Ashtead Technology Holdings plc (LON:AT.), which does subsea tech for offshore energy, is on track to post solid H1 2026 interim results on September 1. Shares have jumped from 300p to 536p so far this year and have lately traded in the 400p to 460p range. Market cap sits at £337 million. Steady revenue growth keeps the company’s outlook in line with forecasts for the year. Analysts now target a 25% rise in the share price to 525p in the next 12 months, banking on continued earnings momentum in energy.
Ashtead Technology Holdings: I see its sha…
Forrestania seeks ASX list, ASX 200 flat as commodities rise, Ratio lifts Pharos bid
August 7, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT.Forrestania Resources filed to list 6 million new shares on ASX, aiming to bring in funds for growth. The ASX 200 traded flat, with gains in gold, copper, and lithium plays as tight supply and electrification demand helped those sectors. Investors kept focus on resource names as global uncertainty persisted. Ratio Petroleum Energy bumped up its recommended bid for Pharos Energy to 32.82 pence a share, topping Serica Energy’s offer and heating up the contest. All eyes on Pharos for its next move as takeover interest in oil and gas stays active.
Stock Market Today: Live Updates 07.08.202…
Forrestania Resources Seeks ASX Listing for 6 Million Shares
August 7, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT. Forrestania Resources Limited ($AU:FRS) said it has lodged an application with the ASX to quote 6 million new shares. The company is aiming to raise capital and boost its market profile through the move. Listing would add to Forrestania’s share capital and could affect both liquidity and value for shareholders. The filing is part of plans to back operations and growth.
Forrestania Resources Seeks ASX Quotation …
ASX 200 flat as gold, copper and lithium push miners higher
August 7, 2026, 4:01 AM EDT. The ASX 200 was little changed, with strong moves in gold, copper and lithium names giving miners a lift. Gold prices rose on safe-haven flows, and copper and lithium got a boost from ongoing supply issues and demand driven by electrification. Resource stocks wrapped up a strong week, drawing buyers looking for exposure to key commodities. The index’s performance signals that investors are still keen on commodities as uncertainties linger in the global economy. Some analysts say the rally could stick if demand for materials stays strong.
Evening Wrap: ASX 200 steady as gold, copp…
Ratio Petroleum Energy Ups Bid for Pharos Energy, Topping Serica
August 7, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT. Ratio Petroleum Energy lifted its recommended offer for Pharos Energy to 32.8183 pence a share, moving ahead of rival Serica Energy PLC. The fresh bid is aimed at gaining control of Pharos Energy (LSE: PHAR). Mid-cap oil and gas names continue to battle for assets as energy prices shift. Ratio’s new offer beats earlier bids. It’s now on Pharos to respond as investors look to see if shareholders will sign off.
