IIR's September 8 Market Scorecard Brings You Breaking Geopolitical News

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Stay current with the latest geopolitical events, and more importantly, instantly connect to how these events may impact you and your business strategies.

Event	MarCon*	IIR Comment	Outlet	IIR News
Israel steps up Gaza City attacks while Houthi drone strikes an Israeli airport in rare hit		After Israel's targeted killing of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi last Thursday, the militants vowed to escalate their attacks targeting Israel and merchant ships navigating the vital trade route through the Red Sea off Yemen. Thousands of Israeli demonstrators flooded the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Saturday to call for a comprehensive truce and to protest the planned invasion... Defying those calls, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday to press ahead with the assault on Gaza City as negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas remain at a stalemate.	PBS News	Orsted Files Suit, Russian Oil Sales: Your Daily Energy News
Trump threatens tougher sanctions after Russia's heaviest strikes on Ukraine		Donald Trump has threatened tougher sanctions against Russia after its heaviest aerial bombardment on Ukraine since the war began. The attack - which Ukraine said involved at least 810 drones and 13 missiles - has led to growing calls for stronger Western action against President Vladimir Putin. European leaders are expected to travel to Washington early this week to discuss ways of ending the war, Trump has said	BBC	ISM: U.S. Manufacturing Activity Contracts Again Amid Tariffs, Economic Uncertainty
Oil gains after OPEC+ output hike seen modest		Oil prices climbed more than $1 on Monday, regaining some of last week's losses, after OPEC+'s output hike was seen as modest and due to concerns over the possibility of more sanctions on Russian crude. In a note over the weekend, Goldman Sachs said it expects a slightly larger oil surplus in 2026 as supply upgrades in the Americas outweigh a downgrade to Russian supply and stronger global demand. It left its Brent/WTI price forecast unchanged for 2025 and projected the 2026 average at $56/$52 a barrel.	Reuters	U.S. Oil Production Holding Up, But Clouds Forming
European markets open higher as focus turns on French confidence vote Treasury Secretary Bessent warns of massive refunds if the Supreme Court voids Trump tariffs		Investors will be keeping a close eye on France on Monday, as French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is widely expected to lose a confidence vote. Bayrou called for the vote himself after ongoing wrangling with rival political parties over around 44 billion euros ($51.5 billion) worth of budget cuts. Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on Monday, as investors assessed Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation announcement over the weekend and eyed key economic data in the region. U.S. stock futures were little changed on Sunday, with two critical inflation reports expected this week: the U.S. producer price index report for August is due on Wednesday morning, followed by the consumer price index on Thursday... ...If the tariffs are struck down, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "we would have to give a refund on about half the tariffs, which would be terrible for the Treasury," according to an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."	CNBC	Sweden Drafts Law to End Ban on Uranium Mining Nuclear Energy Tops Trump's Agenda
Natural Gas News: $3.238 Sets the Tone as Weekly Follow-Through Hints at Bottom Forming		Natural gas futures gained 1.70% on the week but failed to break key resistance at $3.238, stalling the two-week rally. Futures remain capped below weekly 50% resistance zones at $3.238 and $3.598, with sellers poised to defend these levels. Cooling forecasts for the eastern and central U.S. threaten late-season demand, pressuring natural gas prices lower. The near-term outlook turns bearish while prices remain capped below the $3.238 resistance level. Fundamentals-namely strong production, bearish weather, and above-average storage-offer little support for a breakout.	FX Empire	U.S. Natural Gas-Fired Plants Prep for End-of-Year Maintenance
China's shipments to U.S. plunge 33% in August as overall exports growth hits a 6-month low		This year through August, China's exports to the U.S. dropped 15.5% from the same period last year, while imports declined 11%. Over that same period, its exports to EU, ASEAN, Africa and Latin America surged 7.7%, 14.6%, 24.6% and nearly 6%, respectively. Economists are watching to see if Beijing unveils additional fiscal support in the fourth quarter to spur domestic demand and cushion weakening exports. Policymakers have, however, appeared to prioritize reining in industrial overcapacity over allocating more for the flagship "cash-for-clunker" program aimed at boosting demand.	CNBC	Study Bolsters Smackover's Southwest Arkansas Lithium Project
Microplastics Backlash Threatens Petrochemical Growth		The industry is expected to continue expanding over the next decade, to reach a market value of more than $1 trillion by 2030 as demand for petrochemical products continues to increase, while fossil fuel demand from other sectors starts to wane. However, there are significant concerns about the environmental implications of this growing demand, as an ongoing reliance on petrochemicals for a wide range of products could compromise the world's aim for a green transition. However, rising consumer worries about microplastics, as well as concerns over the environmental impact of petrochemical production, could threaten the industry's growth over the coming decades. In recent years, more scientists have focused on the impact of microplastics on human and environmental health.	OilPrice	U.S. Petrochemical Producers Ready for End-of-Year Maintenance
Week 09/02/25 - 09/08/25		Escalating attacks are occurring in both Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East and there does not appear to be diplomatic measures strong enough to thwart them. Although some European leaders are headed to Washington this week to further discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and whether increasing sanctions will have the desired effect. In addition to this threat of sanctions, Mr. Oil Market is parsing the weekend OPEC+ news with some market pundits hinting at 5 handle pricing before long in a seemingly over-supplied market. One that will need an economic demand catalyst which does not appear to be forthcoming, as the economic markets are watching events unfold in Japan and France, not to mention keeping a wary eye on decisions from the U.S. courts as well as PPI and CPI reports due out this week. It's Geopolitical Tensions vs. Geoeconomical Malaise for these commodity markets, and the judges - in the immediate moment - are scoring on their cards in favor of Malaise over Tensions leading to further downturns in the markets.
*MarCon (Market Condition 1-5, with 5 being the highest impact) indicates directional bias or price effect for the relevant commodity (Oil, Natural Gas, Chemicals, etc.) and is graded by our team of experts here at IIR.

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