Suez Canal Records All-time Highest Monthly Revenue

 One of the naval units of the Suez Canal Authority fleet (Canal Authority official website)
One of the naval units of the Suez Canal Authority fleet (Canal Authority official website)
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Suez Canal Records All-time Highest Monthly Revenue

 One of the naval units of the Suez Canal Authority fleet (Canal Authority official website)
One of the naval units of the Suez Canal Authority fleet (Canal Authority official website)

Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue reached $704 million in July, Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabea said on Tuesday.

The figure represents a 32.4% increase from the same month last year, when the canal only recorded $531.8 million.

The canal is the fastest shipping route between Europe and Asia and one of the Egyptian government’s main sources of foreign currency.

Around 2,103 ships crossed the canal in July, up 433 ships from the same period last year.

Some 125.1 million tons of cargo were shipped through the canal as well, or an 18.2% increase from July 2021.

Navigation reports have also pointed out to a rise in the number of oil tankers by 60.2%, achieving the highest ever monthly revenues from oil tankers which is estimated at $153 million.

Also, transit of natural gas tankers recorded a 31% rise, the highest ever monthly revenue of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) tankers with a total value of $52 million.

The number of bulk ships increased by 21%, achieving the highest monthly revenue for bulk ships in the history of the canal, amounting to $121 million.

Meanwhile, container ships transiting the canal increased by 8.8%, achieving the second highest monthly revenue from this type of ships with $314 million.

On 29 July, the canal achieved its highest ever daily revenue, recording $31.8 million, and the second highest daily net tonnage in its history, with 5.6 million tons, Rabea said.

Earlier this month, the Canal Authority had stated that the Suez Canal had recorded $7 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2021/22, up 20.7% from a year earlier.

Egypt’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.



Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices climbed on Friday, supported by safe-haven demand arising from the Middle East conflict, while spotlight shifted towards US payrolls report to gauge the trajectory of the Federal Reserve's policy path.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,662.50 per ounce, as of 0325 GMT, after climbing to an all-time high of $2,685.42 on Sept. 26. Bullion has gained 0.2 for the week.
US gold futures edged 0.1% higher to $2,682.10.
The dollar eased 0.1%, pulling back from over a one-month high, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for other currency holders, reported Reuters.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Israel and Iran, are supporting gold prices and unless these risks subside, prices are likely to remain near record levels, said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities, Mumbai.
The US is discussing strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said, while Israel's military hit Beirut with new air strikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Bullion is considered a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, and thrives in a low-rate environment.
The US nonfarm payroll data is due at 1230 GMT. New York Fed President John Williams and Chicago Fed President Austan are also scheduled to speak later in the day.
If the NFP report comes in strong, it will be positive for the dollar and then gold prices will see some profit-booking, Kedia added.
Traders see a 69% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in November, according to CME FedWatch Tool.
BMI said in a note it expects gold prices to trade within the range of $2,500 to $2,800 in the coming months.
Spot silver rose 0.4% to $32.17 per ounce and has gained about 1.8% so far this week.
Platinum climbed 1.1% to $1,001.79 and palladium advanced 1.4% to $1,013.46.