Oil Held Below $70 but Strait of Hormuz Risks Put $90 in Sight
July 12, 2026, 5:44 AM EDT.Crude oil prices have dropped under $70 a barrel lately, but markets see a chance for a move towards $90 with tensions rising at the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping chokepoint. Flows are still limited and about 1 billion barrels in petroleum reserves are gone, with refineries offline and quiet demand from China. President Donald Trump called any Iran peace deal “over,” adding to trader nerves. Analysts warn Iran could slap a toll on the strait, which could slash oil shipments to half and tighten supply. With no peace on the table and the U.S. midterms getting closer, Washington faces possible disruption if demand picks up.
Trump’s time is running out to avoid a nig…
Diageo Shares Sink, Dividend Cut Adds Pressure for Recovery
July 12, 2026, 5:43 AM EDT. Diageo shares are down 23% in the past year and 56% over five years, putting long-term holders under pressure. The FTSE 100 brewer is dealing with falling global alcohol demand as more young consumers skip drinking or cut back, eating into premium spirits sales. Diageo has tried to push into low- and no-alcohol with Seedlip and Guinness 0.0, but those aren’t core areas and face heavy competition. The new management team slashed the dividend in half, hitting income. With consumer habits shifting and economic headwinds, there are doubts about whether Diageo can pull off a turnaround.
What if the Diageo share price never recov…
Bank of Queensland (ASX: BOQ) shares trade at $6.3 as NIM, ROE lag sector
July 12, 2026, 5:12 AM EDT. Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) shares last traded near $6.3. Analysts look at net interest margin (NIM) and return on equity (ROE) to estimate value. BOQ’s NIM is 1.56%, trailing the ASX major bank average of 1.78%. Lending brings in 93% of BOQ’s income, so lower NIM weighs on earnings. ROE lands at 4.7%, well behind the sector’s 9.35% average. HR sites like Seek rate BOQ’s workplace culture at 2.6 out of 5-less than peers, which could matter for longer-term outlook. These metrics paint a picture for investors checking BOQ’s valuation.
2 tools to value the Bank of Queensland Li…
Gen Z Push Chilled Red Wine Trend as Summer Temps Climb
July 12, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT.Chilled red wine is picking up steam with Gen Z, cutting against the old habit of drinking reds at room temperature. Henry Alassane from Cru Manchester and Holly Willcocks at London’s Half Cut wine bar said they’re seeing more young people ask for chilled reds during hotter months. Ocado sales data backs it up, showing more searches for chilled red wine, and 56% of Gen Z and young millennials say they drink it in summer. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association links the trend to the current heatwave and changing tastes. Aldi is aiming at this crowd with labels that change color in the fridge. Drinkers call these reds lighter and fruitier, saying they’re easier to enjoy in the heat-a shift in how Brits drink wine.
Why Gen Z chilling red wine is socially ac…
Nagi Maehashi’s Chicken Trick Draws Mixed Reactions Online
July 12, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT. Australian chef Nagi Maehashi’s chicken prep hack is going viral, with home cooks split on the results. The method claims to keep chicken from drying out, a problem many cooks face. Some say it actually helps chicken stay moist, but others aren’t convinced. The online back-and-forth shows how tricky it still is to get the texture right at home.
‘Waterlogged’: Viral chicken hack divides
Rolls-Royce Nears Highs as Analysts Split on Stock Outlook
July 12, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT. Rolls-Royce Plc shares have jumped more than 1,360% over the past five years, making it one of the top gainers in the FTSE 100. Shares have dipped lately, but 16 of 18 covering analysts still rate the stock Buy or Outperform, with the 12-month price target set at 1,415 pence. Gains have mostly come on civil aerospace demand, defense contracts, and small modular reactor plans. But the shares trade at about 39 times forward earnings, far above the 10-year average of 15, and some warn the valuation looks stretched. Geopolitical risk, supply chain strains, or a weaker economy could hurt future profits. Investors are on alert as the market questions if the company’s big 2026 profit goals are now built into the price.
Near record highs, here’s what the experts…
A2 Milk ASX:A2M slumps 25% YTD as metrics stay solid
July 12, 2026, 4:26 AM EDT. A2 Milk ASX:A2M is down almost 25% so far this year, even though its financial numbers look solid. The company logged $1.67 billion in annual revenue and posted an 11.6% compound annual growth rate over three years. Gross margin stands at 45.8%. Net profit jumped from $81 million to $168 million, showing a CAGR of 27.6%. Net cash sits at $903 million. Leverage remains low at 5.3% with return on equity at 12.8%. A2 Milk sources from Australian certified farms and Synlait Milk in New Zealand, saying its products are easier to digest. Market players are watching to see if the shares can bounce back by 2027 after the early slide.
Stock Market Today: Live Updates 12.07.202…
A2 Milk ASX:A2M off 25% YTD; Six Metrics for 2025 Investors
July 12, 2026, 4:10 AM EDT. A2 Milk Company ASX:A2M shares are down 24.62% so far this year. For investors, key numbers stand out: $1.673 billion in annual revenue, up 11.6% CAGR the past three years. Gross margin came in at 45.8%. Net profit jumped from $81 million to $168 million over three years, a 27.6% CAGR. Net debt is negative $903 million, meaning cash outweighs debt, and leverage is low at 5.3%. ROE sits at 12.8%. A2M produces its milk through Australian certified farms and Synlait Milk in New Zealand, marketing it as easier to digest. Some see these markers as pointing to a possible rebound next year.
