UBS Says Banking Pressure should be mostly Felt in US, will Benefit Euro and Yen

[SMM Precious Metal Express] New York Fed President Williams stated that inflation trends are slowly declining and current interest rate levels are appropriate, striking a dovish tone. The Fed's Beige Book also noted that the economic outlook is broadly positive but uncertainty is rising. Both factors together weighed on rate hike expectations, providing support for precious metals.

[SMM Precious Metal Express] US August ADP employment increased by only 38,000, below market expectations. Weaker jobs data reinforced expectations of Fed rate cuts and a weaker dollar, benefiting precious metals and risk assets.

[SMM Flash] Sibanye-Stillwater has secured 835MW of renewable electricity capacity through agreements with independent power producers as it continues to increase renewable energy supply to its South African mining operations. The portfolio comprises 43% solar and 57% wind capacity, with 164MW already in commercial operation and a further 671MW agreed and under construction. The portfolio includes the operational 89MW Castle wind farm and 75MW Springbok solar project, while the 103MW Witberg and 140MW Umsinde wind farms are expected to come online around Q4 2026. Additional capacity includes 220MW from the Etana Energy portfolio, 138MW from the NOA portfolio and 70MW through Africa GreenCo, with these projects scheduled for 2027–28. The investment highlights the growing role of renewable power in reducing the mining sector's exposure to grid constraints and conventional electricity supply. Sibanye noted that renewables are expected to provide more than half of South Africa's energy needs by 2028. The company's 835MW portfolio is comparable to the capacity of a large conventional power-generation unit, while being developed through a diversified pipeline of solar and wind projects.