Commodities Markets

While the surging gold price has been a surprise, the driving forces behind it are not. Investors are losing faith in the United States and its role as the standard-bearer for global capitalism.

Gold surges to a record high above $US5,000 an ounce, extending a historic rally as investors pile into the safe-haven asset amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Decades of economic mismanagement and government corruption have widened wealth gaps in Iran, leaving ordinary Iranians calling for a revolution.

The local share market rose again today, as mining stocks soared in response to rising commodity prices.

Glencore has confirmed media speculation that the company is back in merger talks with Rio Tinto. Follow updates live on our business and finance blog.

The value of Australia's currency could move significantly up or down depending on the direction of interest rates. But the global economic backdrop will also be crucial in determining its direction.

The price of palladium — used in electronics — tumbles from recent highs while the prices of other precious metals, including gold and silver, have also sharply declined in recent days.

While they are a long way off from rivalling the plantings in Western Australia or New South Wales, growers in Queensland are experimenting with canola and reaping the rewards.

A major investment bank says gold is following share markets higher. While the precious metal consistently pushes record highs, it suggests the gold price could continue to rise substantially. But what's really at stake?

Precious metal prices have been pushing record highs and, as queues lengthened outside bullion traders, gold and silver prices suddenly fell back. But positive signs remain, analysts say.

America dominates the global financial system. The Middle East controls energy. And China, during the past 40 years, has created a vice-like grip on the mining, refining and production of global metals. 

Silver has suffered the steepest sell-off in years as investors locked in profits after its record smashing rally.  

The Perth Mint's John O'Donoghue explains what's behind gold's biggest decline in years. 

The price of gold has risen by a third so far this year and central banks are selling US dollars and replacing them with the precious metal. The threat of rising global inflation is at the core of the economic concerns.

Global financial markets are entering an optimistic but potentially dangerous speculative phase, according to analysts, driven by a mania for so-called meme stocks made popular on social media.

Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz. A disruption of this scale to the world's crucial oil supply could have a significant effect on petrol prices by mid-August.

Australian cocoa producers aren't normally the cheapest source of the sweet treat's key ingredient, but with global supply set to tighten further, chocolate makers are lining up to buy Aussie beans.

Roger Cook's government has handed down its second budget — and the first since he was elected in his own right at the March state election. Here's what you need to know. 

Port operators at the heart of Australia's iron ore industry have revealed plans for a new hub to allow for cleaner alternative ship fuels than diesel.

Australians could see petrol prices rise as high as $2.20 a litre, as analysts warn the spike in oil prices fuelled by the Israel-Iran conflict will flow "directly to the pump".