Trump administration to auction Alaska oil and gas drilling rights in March

Trump administration to auction Alaska oil and gas drilling rights in March


The Trump administration has announced a sale of oil and gas drilling rights covering 5.5 million acres of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, scheduled for March 9. (A file photo)
| Photo Credit:
LUCAS JACKSON

The Trump administration on Thursday
said it would hold a sale of ‍oil and gas drilling rights across
5.5 million acres ​of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve on
March ‌9.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

The sale is ​the first of at least five mandated by President
Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he signed into
law last year. The U.S. has not offered tracts in the Alaska
reserve, which is known as ​the NPR-A, since 2019.

KEY QUOTE

“The National ⁠Petroleum Reserve in Alaska plays a vital role
in advancing America’s energy independence, and Congress has
repeatedly made clear ​their intent for timely ⁠leasing and
responsible development in the region,” Bill Groffy, acting
director of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management,
said in a statement.

“Selling off our most sensitive public ‌lands will only pad
industry pockets at the expense of American communities ‍and
ecosystems,” Jenny Rowland-Shea, director of public lands at the
Center for American Progress, a liberal ‍think tank, said in a
statement.

This sale is part of the administration’s push to expand
domestic oil and gas production and reverse Biden-era
restrictions on drilling on millions of acres in the reserve.
While supporters argue it bolsters energy independence,
environmentalists warn of risks to one of ⁠America’s largest
natural ecosystems.

BY THE NUMBERS

The BLM will offer more than 600 tracts ​on about 5.5 million
acres. Currently about 1.6 ⁠million acres of the 23-million-acre
reserve are leased to oil and gas companies.

The BLM will accept sealed bids until March 5, and the
auction will be ⁠livestreamed on March 9.

Published on February 5, 2026



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Tin prices may rise a tad further on woes over Indonesian export permits, Myanmar supplies

Tin prices may rise a tad further on woes over Indonesian export permits, Myanmar supplies


Huge rolls of tinplate
| Photo Credit:
mahroch

Tin soared to a record high of $56,800 on January 26 but has given up about 15 per cent of its gains in line with the losses the metals have suffered since US President Donald Trump appointed Kevin Warsh as the next US Fed chief. 

However, prices are expected to increase a tad as problems persist with Indonesia export permits and Myanmar supplies in addition to strong demand from the semi-conductor industry.

“We have revised up our annual average tin price forecast for 2026 to $45,000/tonne from $35,000 previously as prices have set off on an unprecedented rally amid a sharp rise in speculative demand for tin with the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and a weaker US dollar,” said research agency BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions.

Tin prices are currently ruling at $48,526 a tonne. Despite dropping over 13 per cent last week, it has increased by 19 per cent year-to-date.

Driving factors

Tim Langston, Senior Market Analyst, International Tin Association, said the metal, used in cans, soldering electronics, and in specialised chemical batteries, hit a record high on January 26  supported by dollar weakness, a resurgence of debasement trades, and frenzied activity from Chinese investors.

“For tin, a divergence between the SHFE (Shanghai Futures Exchange) and LME (London Metal Exchange) futures markets is beginning to emerge, as speculators outside China start to pare back positions,” he said. 

Trading Economics website said  catalysts for the pullback in tin after hitting a record high included the SHFE halting trading for selected managers and the rebound in the dollar. The metal had surged over 40% this year alone due to tin’s soldering usage in electronic goods and datacenters, driving investors to go long their contracts in proxy to speculative bets in AI technologies. 

BMI said, “Ultimately, while we expect prices to remain elevated, we note this rally is not sustainable, and prices are likely to face a correction anytime.”

Consumers reluctant

Langston said though tin benefits from relatively inelastic demand in the form of solder, consumers are reluctant to purchase at such elevated prices, while visible exchange stocks have doubled since the start of November. 

“China is now entering its off-season; however, the planned cancellation of tax rebates for PV products from April 1, 2026 may be front-loading some demand into Q1,” he said.

BMI said the International Tin Association announced in July 2025 that shipments from Myanmar’s Wa state will resume. But there has been no further update yet. 

“In this regard, we have adopted a wait and see approach, as news of a resumption of tin mining at the Wa state have circulated markets for months without actually materialising,” the research agency said.

Supply uncertainty

Trading Economics said physical supply remained uncertain worldwide as Indonesian President Subianto ordered the closure of 1,000 illegal tin mines in Sumatra. This has lowered the output from the world’s second largest supplier.

BMI said China’s tin smelter production remains constrained by the lack of sufficient concentrates, while the resilience in economic activity have boosted demand from the semiconductor industry amid permitting issues in Indonesia.

The ITA senior market analyst said that on the supply side, Indonesian exports have resumed following customary New Year delays to export permits. “Meanwhile, shipments of ore from Myanmar to China have begun to stabilise at around 1,300 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate per month,” he said.

Tin mining in Myanmar’s Wa province was suspended nearly three years ago and though authorities declared that mine operations could resume, the movement has been little so far. 

Myanmar is the world’s third largest tin producer, and, according to USGS data, it is estimated to have the third largest reserves in the world, at 700,000 tonnes or 15 per cent of total global reserves, after China and Indonesia (800,000 tonnes and 720,000 tonnes respectively).

Published on February 6, 2026



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LIC’s Q3 standalone net profit up 17% at ₹12,958 cr

LIC’s Q3 standalone net profit up 17% at ₹12,958 cr


In the reporting quarter, net premium income was up 17.5% y-o-y at ₹1,25,613 crore.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reported a 17 per cent year-on-year increase in its Q3 standalone net profit at ₹12,958 crore amid robust growth in premium income and income from investments.

India’s largest life insurer had logged a net profit of ₹11,056 crore in the year-ago period.

Top LIC officials said they are not in a hurry to foray into the health insurance segment by picking up a strategic stake in a standalone health insurer.

Further, it is planning to optimise its real estate holding (market value estimated at about ₹45,000 crore) by seeking more rental income and exploring structures such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Premium income up

In the reporting quarter, net premium income was up 17.5 per cent at ₹1,25,613 crore. Net income from investments rose 14 per cent to ₹1,07,608 crore.

On the expenditure side, expenses of management, comprising net commission and operating expenses, went up 8 per cent to ₹15,576 crore. Benefits paid (net) rose 20 per cent to ₹1,13,283 crore. Change in actuarial liability increased about 14.6 per cent to ₹91,561 crore.

The Assets Under Management (AUM) increased to ₹59,16,680 crore as on December 31, 2025, as compared to ₹54,77,651 crore on December 31, 2024, registering an increase of 8.01 per cent year on year.

R Doraiswamy, CEO & MD, underscored the rising share of Banca and alternate channels in LIC’s overall mix of individual new business premium. “We are confident of the growth prospects of all segments of our business as we move ahead,” he said.

Dinesh Pant, MD, noted that given that the equity market gained almost 10 per cent, the corporation was able to book a good amount of profit without disturbing the intrinsic value of the particular portfolio.

“Our portfolio appreciation is, currently, more than the market appreciation seen in the last nine months,” he said.

LIC’s profit from equities was around ₹24,000 crore in Q3FY26 (₹20,000 crore).

Published on February 5, 2026



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SEBI to facilitate SWP/STP for MF units in demat

SEBI to facilitate SWP/STP for MF units in demat


Currently, this facility is available only for investors holding units directly with the respective fund houses
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

Capital markets regulator SEBI has proposed to allow systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) and systemic transfer plan (STP) facility for investors holding mutual fund units in demat form. This facility is being planned to be rolled out in two phases based on the number of units and the value of units.

Currently, this facility is available only for investors holding units directly with the respective fund houses. Investors can send in their comments to the proposals by February 26.

In a consultation paper, SEBI on Thursday said by availing facility of SWP, client can place standing instruction with MF or its Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) for periodic redemption of specified number of MF units or amount.

Whereas, by availing of STP, a client can place standing instruction of transferring the exposure to one scheme of MF to another scheme of MF managed by the same AMC, by way of simultaneous redemption and subscription of MF units in another scheme.

However, SWP/STP is presently not available for MF units held in demat form. Investors holding MF units in demat form are required to place separate instructions for redemption of units through Delivery Instruction Slip for each withdrawal or transfer.

In phase one, it has been proposed to register investors’ requests through one-time registration of standing instructions with depositories/stock exchanges for execution of orders on order entry platform of stock exchanges, which shall facilitate unit-based SWP/STP transactions.

In phase two, standing instructions for SWP/STP transactions in MF Units held in demat form to be processed through RTA, which will facilitate amount-based and other variants of SWP/STP, said SEBI.

Published on February 5, 2026



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Gold, silver humbled again as rising dollar, hawkish US Fed signal sway investors to currencies, bonds

Gold, silver humbled again as rising dollar, hawkish US Fed signal sway investors to currencies, bonds


Gold and silver zig-zagged by over $200 and $16 an ounce, respectively as the market swung wildly through the day. 

Gold and silver snapped a two-day streak of an uptrend in prices and resumed their downward journey on Thursday. Silver fell more than gold, with momentum being similar to the one that lifted the white precious metal to a new high of $122 an ounce last week.

The precious metals complex came under selling pressure despite bargain hunting seen earlier this week, as investors were swayed by the rise in the dollar and a hawkish signal from the US Fed over interest rates. In India, the falling rupee dragged the complex. 

The movement in all precious metals, including platinum and palladium was volatile with gold almost erasing its losses during mid-day before resuming its fall.

Gold and silver zig-zagged by over $200 and $16 an ounce, respectively as the market swung wildly through the day. 

Easing trade tensions

ICICI Direct said in its Commodity Evening update that gold showed signs of dipping amid a strong dollar and easing signs of US-China trade tensions. “Further, Iran and the US have agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday reducing safe haven demand. Meanwhile, Investors will keep an eye on today’s monetary policy meeting of BOE and ECB for further cues,” it said.

Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont, said gold and silver erased recent gains on renewed selling pressure and heightened volatility returned to precious-metal markets.

“China’s gold ETFs (exchange-traded funds) witnessed record daily outflows, with nearly $1 billion withdrawn from major bullion-backed funds after the sharp price correction unsettled investor confidence,” she said.

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said precious metals’ prices are trading below key moving averages, indicating short-term downward pressure and a corrective phase rather than a reversal of the broader trend. 

Over 15% fall

At 1945 hours IST, gold was down 2.9 per cent at $4,818 an ounce, after swaying between $4,800 and $4,900 an ounce in early trade. On COMEX, Gold April futures ruled at $4,841.04, trading between $4,809.56 and $5,045 an ounce.

In the Mumbai spot market, gold ended at ₹1,52,502 per 10 gm on Thursday against ₹1,56,625 the previous evening. On MCX, gold April futures were down over 1.5 per cent ₹1,50,550 against ₹1,53,046 on Wednesday evening.

Silver slumped by over 15 per cent and below $75 to $74.14 an ounce. On COMEX, silver March futures were quoting at $73.80 an ounce, swinging between $73.38 and $89.80. In the Mumbai spot market, silver ended the day at ₹2,54,339 a kg against ₹2,82,462 at close on Wednesday. On MCX, silver March futures were quoted at ₹2,51,800 against ₹2,68,850.

On the Shanghai Futures market, silver March futures ruled at 22,407 yuan per kg ($100.39 an ounce).

‘Uptrend intact’

Platinum declined by over 7 per cent to $2,007.40 an ounce, while palladium dipped by over 3.5 per cent to $1,677 an ounce.

Ponmudi said the broader uptrend in gold and silver remains intact, with the pullback reflecting profit booking and healthy price digestion. 

ICICI Direct said MCX gold April is expected to move in a wide range between ₹147,500 and ₹158,500, with a negative bias. “Only below ₹147,500 it would turn weaker,” it said.

The Bank’s market arm said spot silver is expected to remain volatile and dip towards $72 as long as it trades below $85 per ounce. Only a move above $70, it would slide further towards the $65 mark. MCX silver March futures are expected to remain volatile and dip towards ₹240,500 and as long as it holds below ₹265,000.

Gold and silver witnessed a splendid rally to record highs until last week on geopolitical crises, a dispute between US President Donald Trump and US Fed Chief, and investors switching to precious metals after the dollar fell to a four-year low.

However, the mood has swung on the reverse after Trump appointed Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chief. The market hopes for better relations between the US President and Warsh, even as the dollar has recovered. Signs of the new Fed chief being hawkish over interest rates, have further encouraged investors to switch back to currencies and bonds.

Published on February 5, 2026



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India may increase coal imports from Washington under bilateral trade deal

India may increase coal imports from Washington under bilateral trade deal


As the India-US bilateral trade deal nears formalisation—pushed aggressively by Washington—the former is expected to increase its energy commodities purchases from the latter, including buying more coal, particularly metallurgical—a key ingredient for the steel industry.

Washington accounted for more than 8 per cent of India’s cumulative coal imports in FY25, which industry players, analysts and government officials indicate could easily be topped up to 10 per cent.

However, a senior government official explained that freight costs from the US are higher compared to markets such as Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, or Russia (Far East).

“My sense is that any decision to buy more US coal would be largely driven by geopolitics, not economics. There is room to grow if we are considering expanding purchases with respect to the bilateral trade deal,” the official added.

In return, another source suggested that the world’s second largest coal consumer can reduce cargoes from Russia, which accounted for over 9.5 per cent of India’s coal imports in FY25.

In a September 2025 report, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Russia offset the decreased coal exports to European markets by increasing shipments to Asia, mainly China, India, and South Korea. Russia’s exports to India increased in recent years, from about 8.3 mt in 2020 to about 22.5 mt in 2024.

India has been continuously increasing its energy trade with the US since 2025 after US President Donald Trump assumed office in January and started pressuring to reduce hydrocarbon trade with Russia. Rising shipments of various energy commodities, including coal, is a reflection of this narrative.

For instance, India imported 8.48 million tonnes (mt) coking coal from the US in FY25. During April-November period of FY26, it imported a little over 6 mt. Similarly, overall imports from Washington stood at 20.14 mt in FY25, while during 8M FY26 it was at 15.34 mt.

As per US EIA data, India’s thermal coal imports from the US have risen in the last five years. For instance, India imported 14.38 mt and 13.25 mt coal from the US in 2023 and 2024, respectively. This is the highest in more than a decade. Besides, India’s coal imports from the US averaged at 10.60 mt during 2020-2024 CY compared to an average of 6 mt during 2015-2019 CY.

The push for purchasing more coal comes at a time when the Coal Ministry has notified coking coal as a critical mineral.

Even though India holds the world’s fourth largest coal reserve, it does not have significant quantities of high quality coking coal, and imports almost 85 per cent of its overall requirement of the high grade commodity.

As the country plans to expand the steel manufacturing capacity aligning with Vikshit Bharat 2047 (developed economy), the requirement of coking coal is expected to appreciate significantly.

The world’s third largest energy consumer has upped purchases of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), propane, butane and coal from the US. Analysts point that passing of the SHANTI Act, which paves way for higher private sector participation in Nuclear energy will further push higher civil and commercial participation between New Delhi and Washington.

Washington is already New Delhi’s sixth largest energy trade partner with a value of $13.7 billion in FY25. In April-November of FY26, the value stood at $12.68 billion.

Published on February 5, 2026



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