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Ryanair confirms that summer bookings are strong and fares are holding steady
Michael O'Leary, the Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair, said that in an interview with The Telegraph on Thursday he is "reasonably confident" that it will meet its summer target. The airline's growth has been slowed by delays, and he praised Boeing for agreeing that some jets would be delivered earlier than planned. Bookings are strong during the summer peak months... "The fares are holding," O'Leary said. Bookings were 1% higher than they were last year at this point. He reiterated a July forecast that the average fare was likely to increase by close to 7 percent, depending on the close-in bookings of the remaining second quarter for the airline, which ends September 30. He added that there was no evidence of consumers altering their plans because of the heatwaves in this summer. Boeing has agreed to deliver 7 jets in August, and 7 in September ahead of a previously-agreed timetable. O'Leary spoke in Tirana where he announced the doubling of the capacity of the airport to 4 million passengers annually and the basing three aircraft there from April next year.
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Corporate earnings are mixed as most Gulf shares increase on Fed rate reduction hopes
The Gulf stock markets were mostly higher on Thursday morning, as global stocks rose, after positive U.S. inflation figures raised hopes for a Federal Reserve rate reduction, and mixed earnings reports from the region. After data released this week revealed that U.S. consumer inflation rose at a moderate rate in July, traders expect the Fed will cut rates. The U.S. monetary policy changes have a major impact on Gulf markets where the majority of currencies are pegged with the dollar. Qatar's benchmark index gained 0.8% with nearly all components advancing. Qatar National Bank gained 1.7%, while Qatar Islamic Bank rose 1.2%. Dubai's benchmark index rose 0.4% on the back of gains in the real estate, finance, industry and utilities sectors. Emaar Properties, a blue-chip developer, rose 1%. Salik, a toll operator, advanced 3.8%. Salik reported a 49.6% rise in its second-quarter net profits on Wednesday. This was a significant increase, surpassing estimates. Air Arabia's share price fell 0.8%, as the low-cost airline reported a 10% decline in its second quarter net profit. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index of stocks rose 0.1% thanks to gains in consumer staples and finance. Saudi industrial investment rose by 4.4%, and Saudi National Bank, which is the largest lender in the Kingdom according to assets, gained 0.9%. Saudi Printing and Packaging's shares soared by 8.4% following the announcement that it had signed a financing deal with Saudi Research and Media Group. The benchmark Abu Dhabi index traded within a narrow range, as gains in real estate, technology and industrial stocks were offset by losses in consumer staples and energy shares. RAK Properties rose 1.3% following the announcement of a 95% increase in net profit for the second quarter. Investcorp Capital fell 1.3% on Thursday after it reported a 22% decline in its full-year profit.
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Hapag-Lloyd reduces its 2025 earnings projection after half-year profits slip
Hapag-Lloyd, the container shipping company, reported on Thursday a decline of 3.1% in its first-half earnings and reduced the upper end of their full-year forecast. This was mainly due to geopolitical concerns and U.S. Trade Policy. The fifth-largest shipper in the world projected earnings for full-year before interest and tax between 200 million and 1.1 billion euro, as opposed to a range previously expected of breakeven up to 1.5 billion euro. The German company stated that frequent changes in U.S. Tariff Policies have led to volatility in trade patterns. In addition, the security situation at the Red Sea is also a burden. This has resulted in a 24% decrease in EBIT of 619 million Euros in six months. Houthi militants attacks on Middle Eastern ships have clouded global shipping outlook. Vessel owners are forced to sail an expensive alternative route around Africa. The net income for the first half of 2009 fell by 3.1%, to 709 millions euros ($829million). The CEO Rolf Habben Jansen praised the "solid overall note" after the company's revenues increased by 10% to 9.7 billion euro and its transport volumes rose 10.6% to 6.8 million 20-foot equivalent (TEU) container. He said that the company's operation collaboration with Maersk, known as Gemini, got off to a great start but costs had to be optimized. Germini is a global network of 340 vessels operating on seven trade routes.
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India's JSW Cement makes a 4% gain in its debut, with a valuation of $2.38 billion
JSW Cement shares debuted at 4% higher than their previous price on Thursday, valuing it at $2.38 Billion. Investors looked past the broader market turmoil to support the company's expansion plans for capacity and its push into new markets. The stock was listed on the National Stock Exchange at 153.50 Rupees, just over its target of $2.3 billion and above its original issue price of 147 Rupees. As of 10:21 am IST, it was up 2.7% to 151.06 rupies. India is the second largest cement producer in the world. The government's push for infrastructure and housing will drive demand growth over the next decade. Prices are also expected to rebound from the multi-year lows they hit during the last fiscal year. JSW Cement is a smaller player than other companies in the industry, such as Aditya Birla's UltraTech Cement or Gautam Adani's Ambuja Cement. In its prospectus, the company stated that it would use the proceeds of the IPO to build a factory in Rajasthan, a state rich in limestone. Ventura Securities stated that JSW Cement’s capacity ramp-up would expand its reach, boost profits and offer brand strength. Its ties to JSW Group also provide easy access to raw material like slag, power and steel via group companies such as energy, marine infrastructure and steel. JSW Group owns a stake of nearly 70% in the cement manufacturer. This week, the $413 million initial offering was nearly eight times oversubscribed. Institutional investors' bids were almost 16 times higher than their quota.
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Southern China courts, schools and schools are affected by Tropical Storm Podul
Tropical Storm Podul, which hit Taiwan on Wednesday and left 143 injured, poured torrential rainfall on southern China on Thursday. Hong Kong hospitals, schools, and courts were also affected. Jimmy Lai's hearing was cancelled when the authorities issued their "black" warning for rainstorms, and supporters queued outside under umbrellas. The medical authorities announced that all outpatient clinics will remain closed until the rain has stopped. Flightmaster data showed that airports in the region experienced cancellation rates around 20% as Podul pounded parts of China's provinces of Guangdong and Hunan with over 70 mm (2.76 inch) of rain per hour. Analysts warn that extreme weather events are increasingly a threat to the growth of the second largest economy in the world. China has experienced record rains in the north and south, as well as heatwaves that have lasted for weeks in its interior. The government announced on Thursday 430 million yuan (59.9 millions) in new funding for disaster relief. This brings the total amount allocated since April up to at least 5,8 billion yuan. Chim Lee is a senior analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit. He said that authorities need to be prepared. There's increasing evidence that tropical cyclones are becoming more intense and moving slower. China's south coast is ripe for all sorts of economic disruptions. The majority of institutions in the area are well-prepared, but it seems that cyclones are intensifying in a more northerly direction. These places should keep a closer eye on things." Podul, a weakened tropical storm that had weakened from a typhoon after pounding Taiwan with winds up to 191 kph 118 mph on Wednesday left one person dead and scores of others injured, made landfall at 0030 local time (1630 GMT on Wednesday). Its residual vortex is threatening to cause havoc in the south of China, which was still reeling last week from the heaviest rainfall in decades. The vortex moves north at speeds between 30-35 km/h (19-22 mph). Seven people died in Guangdong after a record rainfall of 622.6mm (24.5") fell from August 2-6. This is almost three times more than the average for August. Last Tuesday, Hong Kong experienced the heaviest rainfall in August since 1884. State media reported that authorities in Guangdong’s Meizhou shut down all highways due to heavy rains. The high-speed rail linking Shenzhen with Hangzhou, in eastern Zhejiang Province, about 1,200 km (745 mi) away, has also been suspended. $1 = 7.1705 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Reporting from Beijing by Joe Cash, Jessie Pang and Ben Blanchard; Editing done by Michael Perry and Lincoln Feast)
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India's JSW Cement makes a 4% gain in its debut, with a valuation of $2.38 billion
JSW Cement shares debuted at a 4% premium on Thursday, valuing it at $2.38bn. Investors looked past the broader market turmoil to support the company's expansion plans for capacity and its push into new markets. The stock was listed on the National Stock Exchange at 153.50 Rupees, just over its target of $2.3 billion and above its original issue price of 147 Rupees. As of 10:21 am IST, it was up 2.7% to 151.06 rupies. India is the second largest cement producer in the world. The government's push for infrastructure and housing will drive demand growth over the next decade. Prices are also expected to rebound from the multi-year lows they hit during the last fiscal year. JSW Cement is a smaller player than other companies in the industry, such as Aditya Birla's UltraTech Cement or Gautam Adani's Ambuja Cement. In its prospectus, the company stated that it would use the proceeds of the IPO to build a factory in Rajasthan, a state rich in limestone. Ventura Securities stated that JSW Cement’s capacity ramp-up would expand its reach, boost profits and offer brand strength. Its ties to JSW Group also provide easy access to raw material like slag, power and steel via group companies such as energy, marine infrastructure and steel. JSW Group owns a stake of nearly 70% in the cement manufacturer. This week, the $413 million initial offering was nearly eight times oversubscribed. Institutional investors' bids were almost 16 times higher than their quota.
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Serbian police intervenes to end the standoff between supporters of the ruling party and anti-government demonstrators
On Wednesday night, supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party threw flares, firecrackers, and other explosives at antigovernment protesters. This prompted police to intervene in order to end the standoff. It was a major escalation in the nine-month long protests that have been taking place in Serbia. The daily protests in Serbia following the death of 16 people in November last year when the roof of a renovated train station in Novi Sad collapsed have shaken the popularity of President Aleksandar Vucic, a populist, and the SNS. Vucic said, at a late-night news conference, that 16 police officers, and about 60 supporters of the SNS, were injured in Novi Sad. He was flanked by Ivica Daci, Interior Minister. He also accused unknown foreign powers of orchestrating the riots, and promised arrests. He said: "Persons who broke the law will face prosecution... Tonight we have prevented a catastrophe planned by someone abroad." Could not independently verify Vucic’s claims. Private N1 TV filmed flares and fireworks being hurled at Novi Sad protesters from the direction SNS offices. The footage also showed some anti-government demonstrators with bloody faces who claimed that Vucic's supporters used sticks and truncheons against them. The Move-Change opposition movement claimed that Vucic's supporters were responsible for the clashes. In a press release, it stated that "pyrotechnic attacks on people violate their rights to protest and life." Police in full riot-gear in Belgrade's capital, Belgrade, blocked protesters in the park next to the parliament where Vucic supporters have camped since March. In Belgrade's other parts, protesters against the government clashed violently with police officers who stopped them from approaching SNS local offices. The protesters blamed corruption for Novi Sad Railway Roof Collapse and demanded early elections that they hope will remove Vucic from power after thirteen years. Students, the opposition and anti-corruption monitors have accused Vucic of having ties with organised crime, violence towards rivals, and limiting media freedoms. They deny these accusations. After clashes between protesters and SNS officials in Vrbas, Serbia on Tuesday night, the students leading the protests called for supporters to demonstrate in front of SNS offices throughout Serbia. This included Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Cacak, Nis, as well as Belgrade. Ivana Sekularac, Aleksandar Vaovic and Diane Craft contributed to the reporting.
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The FT reports that Centrica is the frontrunner in the $2 billion deal to purchase National Grid's Liquefied Natural Gas terminal.
The Financial Times reported that British Gas owner Centrica, and Energy Capital Partners were in negotiations to purchase the Isle of Grain LNG Terminal from National Grid for a price of about 1.5 billion pounds (2.03 billion dollars). National Grid, Energy Capital and Centrica have not responded to requests for comment. National Grid, the company that owns and operates Britain’s high-voltage transmission network of electricity, announced last year that it was looking to sell its assets. Grain LNG terminal As part of its efforts for a more efficient operation,, Europe's biggest such facility. FT reported that a deal may be announced soon. Centrica reported in July that it had signed a deal to purchase a 15% stake in Britain's newest nuclear project, Sizewell C. Drop in the first-half profits. Bloomberg News reported that Hong Kong's CK Infrastructure Holdings had been among those interested in the terminal. However, it has reportedly withdrawn its interest, Bloomberg News said earlier this month. The LNG is a major source of gas in Europe, particularly after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Also, the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia have disrupted the energy markets. The resultant price hike continues to impact British consumers.
Maguire: Key US Natural Gas Trends to Track as LNG Exports Hit New Highs
The U.S. has seen its exports of LNG reach new heights this year. They are up over 20% compared to the same period in 2024, cementing the U.S. as the largest supplier of super-chilled fuel.
The demand for U.S. Natural Gas has also reached record highs in the commercial and industrial sector, helping to boost total U.S. Gas consumption by the biggest gas consumers by 5% compared to the previous year to new highs.
All major gas consumers are also seeing a significant increase in prices since 2024. However, they remain below the previous records set around 2022-2023.
Here is a summary of key trends and data for the U.S. Natural Gas Market so far in this year, and what to expect going forward.
BONANZA FOR LNG EXPORT
According to Kpler, the commodities intelligence firm, U.S. LNG exported in the first eight months of 2025 increased by 22%, or 12.4 million tonnes, from the same period in 2024, to reach a record high of 69 million tones.
Europe was the second largest market for U.S. LNG exports, followed by Asia. The Netherlands, France, and Spain were the top three markets, accounting for 28% of all U.S. LNG exports so far in this year.
Since 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to sanctions against Moscow and disrupted commodity flows into Europe.
The decline in wind and hydro electricity generation in Europe this year has also contributed to the increase in gas consumption. Several European nations have increased imports of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas in an effort to reduce their trade deficits with America once President Donald Trump returns to office.
The total imports of U.S. LNG by Europe from January to August 2024 are up 61%.
Gas rationing has been implemented in Asia, where the price of U.S. LNG has dropped by 35% in comparison to last year.
Kpler data show that the U.S. has seen its share of global LNG exports rise to a record 24,5% this year. In 2024 it was only 21%.
RISE IN PRICES
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price of U.S. LNG exported in the first five months 2025 was $8.34 per 1,000 cubic feet.
This price is 38% higher than the average LNG price in the same period in 2024.
The price of domestic gas is expected to rise dramatically in 2025 for most major consumers.
Prices for electric power generators, the biggest gas consumers in the U.S. (representing around 31% of the total gas consumption), increased by 52% between January and May 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Residential users (19% gas use), and commercial users (12%) saw their prices rise by 6% and 8 % respectively.
Gas prices in the United States are 27% higher than they were in 2007. The average price per 1,000 cubic feet was $8.81.
Usage Trends
Gas prices are driving a shift in the way Americans use gas. While gas consumption has reached a record high for all major segments of gas usage, it is still a relatively low level.
During January to May, the key electric power segment achieved its first reduction in gas consumption year-over-year since 2021.
EIA data show that the 4,704 billion cubic foot of gas consumed by electric power companies was 4% lower than in 2024. This was due to higher production at cheaper coal plants, as well as higher supplies of renewable energy.
The gas consumption of all other major gas users increased this year compared to the previous year, but in a wide range of degrees.
Commercial users increased consumption by 11%, while industrial users increased consumption by 1.5%.
Residential gas users - who use gas primarily for heating – increased their use by 11.4% compared to the previous year, but the trend in residential use of gas remains downwards as more homes improve energy efficiency and install heat pump that run on electric.
A FORWARD GUIDANCE
The U.S. market will continue to be a major driver of the gas price and sentiment in the U.S.
EIA data show that between 2019 and 2024, the gas demand for LNG exported rose by 140%.
This growth rate is compared with a 20% increase in the demand for gas from the industry sector, and a 2% increase in gas consumption by residences.
EIA data show that the total gas demand of LNG exporters in 2021 was greater than that consumed by commercial users and nearly equaled that consumed by residential customers in 2024.
The LNG export sector is expected to be the third largest gas consumer in the United States after electric power and industries this year.
Even if the demand for gas in offices and homes continues its decline, the strength of U.S. exports could set the tone for U.S. gas prices.
These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.
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(source: Reuters)