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September 3, 2025

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Morning brief: Kim’s daughter fuels succession talk in Beijing; LME trading delayed

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A day of high drama and unexpected developments is unfolding across the Asia-Pacific, as the international debut of Kim Jong Un’s young daughter in Beijing fuels intense succession speculation, a mysterious trading delay hits the world’s premier metals market, and a surprisingly strong economic report from Australia upends interest rate expectations.

Here’s your one-stop stand to catch up on all the headlines you may have missed.

Kim Jong Un’s daughter makes her international debut in China

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of international diplomacy, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter has made her international debut, appearing at his side during his high-profile visit to China.

The young girl, thought to be named Ju Ae and aged around 12 or 13, emerged from her father’s bulletproof train in Beijing, intensifying speculation that she is being groomed as his eventual successor.

Her first appearance at an overseas diplomatic event draws a direct parallel to Kim’s own visit to China in 2010 with his father, a trip that was seen as a key step in his own path to power.

While the famously opaque regime has not confirmed her status, South Korean intelligence has stated she is receiving lessons to one day take over the country.

Copper retreats from a five-month high as China outlook wavers

After a powerful rally that saw it briefly touch its highest price since late March, copper has cooled, as traders weigh the uncertain outlook for supply and demand in the world’s top market, China.

The wiring metal, which gained 3 percent in August and started September strong by surfacing above $10,000 a ton, is now facing a more complex picture.

While a weaker dollar and the prospect of US rate cuts have provided support, the state of the Chinese market is now in sharp focus.

Optimists point to higher import premiums and the possibility of domestic supply constraints, with one analyst noting that reduced supply and stable demand should support prices.

London Metal Exchange delays start of Asia trading by 90 minutes

The London Metal Exchange (LME), the world’s center for industrial metals trading, experienced a mysterious and unexplained delay to the start of its Asian trading session on Wednesday.

The electronic platform, which usually opens at 8 a.m. Beijing time, did not begin trading until 9:30 a.m. Brokers circulated messages about the 90-minute postponement without providing a reason, according to LME traders.

After the late start, copper futures in London climbed to their highest level since March.

The exchange did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the cause of the delay.

Australia’s economic growth beats forecasts, boosting case for RBA to hold

Australia’s economic growth accelerated in the second quarter, a surprisingly strong performance that has reinforced the case for the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates on hold later this month.

Gross domestic product advanced 0.6 percent in the three months through June, faster than the predicted 0.5 percent and double the pace of the prior quarter.

The 1.8 percent annual expansion also decisively beat forecasts. The robust figures, led by strong household consumption, “should put to bed fears around growth tailing off,” said one analyst.

Money markets are now sticking with their expectation that the central bank will stay on hold in September before potentially cutting rates in November.

The post Morning brief: Kim’s daughter fuels succession talk in Beijing; LME trading delayed appeared first on Invezz

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In World news

Silver Stocks: 5 Biggest Companies in 2025

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During 2025, silver has continued to build on gains made in the previous year, soaring above US$40 per ounce in early September.

The gains have been driven by several factors, most notably the tightening of supply and demand fundamentals, resulting from higher demand from industrial sectors and its use in photovoltaics.

Additionally, prices have found tailwinds from safe-haven investors who find silver’s lower entry price compared to gold appealing. The moves have been fueled by uncertainty in the global financial markets as the United States implements its new trade and tariff policies. Investors have also been unsettled by an escalating tension in the Middle East and the unresolved conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Below is an overview of the five largest silver-mining stocks by market cap as of August 25, 2025, as per data gathered using TradingView’s stock screener. Read on to learn more about the activities and operations of these large-cap silver stocks.

1. Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS)

Market cap: C$16.35 billion
Share price: C$45.06

Pan American Silver is among the world’s largest primary silver producers, with silver assets located throughout the Americas and operations in Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.

According to its Q2 report, released on August 6, overall, the company produced 5.1 million ounces of silver during the period. Its largest silver-producing asset is the La Colorada mine in Mexico, which produced 1.51 million ounces of silver during the quarter.

Other significant contributors to its silver production were its El Peñon gold-silver mine in Chile at 968,000 ounces of silver, Huaron in Peru at 844,000 ounces, San Vicente in Bolivia at 755,000 ounces, Cerro Moro in Argentina at 488,000 ounces and Dolores in Mexico at 291,000 ounces.

The company also reaffirmed its 2025 operating outlook and expects full year silver production in the 20 million to 21 million ounce range, with all in sustaining costs in the US$16.25 to US$18.25 per ounce range.

Additionally, the company announced on May 11 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of MAG Silver (TSX:MAG,OTC Pink:FNLPF). Under the terms of the US$2.1 billion deal, MAG shareholders will be paid out a mix of cash totaling US$500 million and 0.755 shares in Pan American per MAG share.

Once complete, Pan American will control 44 percent of the Juanicipio mine in Central Mexico. The mine is operated by Fresnillo (LSE:FRES), which holds the remaining 56 percent.

Pan American announced on August 25 that the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission approved the deal and expects the acquisition to be completed on approximately September 4.

2. First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG)

Market cap: C$6.03 billion
Share price: C$12.36

First Majestic has three wholly owned silver-producing mines in Mexico: San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena in Sonora and La Encantada in Coahuila. The first two also produce gold.

The company holds a 70 percent stake in the Los Gatos silver mine in Chihuahua as well. First Majestic acquired the property in January 2025 through a merger with Gatos Silver. Japan’s Dowa Holdings (TSE:5714) holds the remaining 30 percent interest.

In addition to its producing assets, First Majestic commenced bullion sales from its own minting facility in Nevada, US, named First Mint, in March 2024.

According to its Q2 2025 report, the company produced 3.7 million ounces of silver during the quarter, a 76 percent increase year-over-year, and set a record quarterly revenue of US$264.2 million.

Its recently acquired Los Gatos was its largest producer, delivering more than 1.52 million ounces of attributable silver. San Dimas took second place at 1.24 million ounces, while La Encantada and Santa Elena produced 628,105 ounces and 306,224 ounces respectively.

3. MAG Silver (TSX:MAG)

Market cap: C$3.39 billion
Share price: C$32.71

MAG Silver is a silver production company that has a 44 percent stake in the Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas, Mexico. Fresnillo owns the remaining 56 percent of the operation.

In addition to Juanicipio, the company also has two exploration projects, Deer Trail and Larder. Deer Trail is a silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper property in Utah, US, that hosts a historic mine, and Larder is a gold project located in Ontario, Canada.

In the company’s Q2 2025 financial results on May 8, MAG Silver reported mining operations at Juanicipio had produced 4.3 million ounces of silver during the second quarter of the year. Additionally, ongoing optimizations at the site’s processing plant boosted silver recovery to 94.6 percent in Q2, up from 92.4 percent during the same period last year.

On May 11, MAG announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Pan American Silver in a US$2.1 billion deal. According to an announcement from Pan American, it is expected to close in September 2025.

4. Endeavour Silver (TSX:EDR)

Market cap: C$2.3 billion
Share price: C$7.99

Endeavour Silver is a silver company with two operating silver-gold mines in Mexico — Guanaceví and Bolañitos — plus the commissioning-stage Terronera project and several exploration properties.

On May 1, the company announced that it had completed the acquisition of Compañia Minera Kolpa and the Huachocolpa Uno mine in Peru. The terms of the deal will see Endeavour pay total considerations of US$145 million in a combination of cash and Endeavour shares to Kopla shareholders.

Endeavour has also agreed to pay an additional US$10 million in cash in contingent payments if certain events are met, and will add US$20 million in net debt, which will remain outstanding and repayable by Minera Kolpa.

In the company’s Q2 earnings report, Endeavour reported silver production of 1.48 million ounces, 13 percent higher than during the second quarter of 2024. The company attributed the increased production to the acquisition of Kolpa.

The company also provided an update on development at Terronera, which is nearing commercial production. As of the end of July, milling rates had increased to 1,900 and 2,000 metric tons per day, with average silver recoveries of 71 percent.

5. Vizsla Silver (TSX:VZLA)

Market cap: C$1.66 billion
Share price: C$4.83

Vizsla Silver is advancing its Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico, toward production with the development of the Copala test mine.

Viszla released an updated preliminary economic assessment for the Panuco project on February 20, suggesting a post tax net present value of US$1.14 billion with an internal rate of return of 85.7 percent and a pay back period of less than 1 year.

Measured and indicated silver resources at the site totaled 127.82 million ounces of contained silver from 12.96 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 307 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver. Its inferred resource totals 73.62 million ounces of silver from 10.47 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 219 g/t.

On June 18, Vizsla reported that it had advanced 125 meters at its Copala test mine and is progressing at a rate of 4 meters per day. Once the development reaches the main deposit, Vizsla will take a 10,000 metric ton bulk sample. The portal will also serve as the primary access for underground mining operations once a construction decision is made.

Additionally, in May, the company entered into an agreement to acquire the producing Santa Fe silver-gold mine and property located to the south of Panuco.

The property hosts operating mining infrastructure, including a processing plant and an underground mine built in 2018. Between 2020 and 2024, the mine processed 370,366 metric tons of ore, with an average head grade of 203 g/t silver and 2.17 g/t gold.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vizsla will have the option to acquire a 100 percent interest in the Santa Fe producing concessions for US$4 million in exploration expenditures, along with cash considerations of US$1.5 million and 1.37 million Vizsla shares over five years. It also entered a purchase agreement to buy the Santa Fe exploration concessions for a further US$1.43 million and 2.75 million common shares.

FAQs for silver investing

Is silver a good investment?

Silver comes with many of the same advantages as its sister metal gold. Both are considered safe-haven assets, as they can offer a hedge against market downturns, a weakening US dollar and inflation.

Additionally, many investors like being able to physically own an asset, and with its lower price point, buying silver coins and bars is an accessible option for building a precious metals portfolio. Of course, physical silver isn’t the only way to invest in the metal — there are also silver stocks and various silver exchange-traded funds.

It’s up to investors to do their due diligence and decide whether silver is the right match for their portfolio.

Does silver go up when the stock market goes down?

Historically, silver has shown some correlation with stock market moves, although it’s not consistent. When the stock market has seen its worst crashes, silver has moved down, but by a less significant amount than the stock market has, showing that it can act as a safety net to lessen losses in tough circumstances.

However, silver is also known for its volatility. What’s more, because it has industrial applications as well as a currency side, silver is less tied to the stock market than gold is.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold an investment in Vizsla Silver.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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In Business

Kraft Heinz to split into two companies

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Kraft Heinz will split into two companies, reversing much of the blockbuster $46 billion merger from a decade ago that created one of the biggest food companies in the world.

The first of the two new companies, which are not yet named, will primarily include shelf-stable meals and will be home to brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia and Kraft mac and cheese. Kraft Heinz said that company on its own would have $15.4 billion in 2024 net sales, and approximately 75% of those sales would come from sauces, spreads and seasonings.

Kraft Heinz said the second new company would be a “scaled portfolio of North America staples” and would include items such as Oscar Mayer, Kraft singles and Lunchables. That company will have approximately $10.4 billion in 2024 net sales.

“Kraft Heinz’s brands are iconic and beloved, but the complexity of our current structure makes it challenging to allocate capital effectively, prioritize initiatives and drive scale in our most promising areas,” said Miguel Patricio, executive chair of the board for Kraft Heinz. “By separating into two companies, we can allocate the right level of attention and resources to unlock the potential of each brand to drive better performance and the creation of long-term shareholder value.”

The deal that created Kraft Heinz in 2015 was the brainchild of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G Capital. While investors originally cheered the merger, the luster began to fade as the combined company’s U.S. sales faltered.

Then came a disclosure in February 2019 that Kraft Heinz had received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission related to its accounting policies and internal controls. The company also slashed its dividend by 36% and took a $15.4 billion write-down on Kraft and Oscar Mayer, two of its biggest brands. Days later, Buffett told CNBC that Berkshire Hathaway had overpaid for Kraft.

A leadership shakeup and more write-downs of iconic brands, like Maxwell House and Velveeta, followed. Kraft Heinz also began divesting some of its businesses, selling off most of its cheese unit to French dairy giant Lactalis and its nuts division, including the Planters brand, to Hormel.

In recent quarters, the company has invested in boosting some of its brands, like Lunchables and Capri Sun. Despite turnaround efforts, shares of Kraft Heinz have slid roughly 60% since the merger closed in 2015.

The split comes as more big food companies pursue breakups to divest from slower-growth categories and impress investors again.

In August, Keurig Dr Pepper announced that it will undo the 2018 deal that merged a coffee company with the 7 Up owner. Keurig Dr Pepper plans to separate after it closes its $18 billion acquisition of Dutch coffee company JDE Peet’s. And two years ago, Kellogg spun off its snacks business into Kellanova and renamed itself as WK Kellogg.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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In Politics

Senate advances defense bill boosting service member pay, Pentagon reforms

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The Senate teed up a colossal package to authorize funding for the Pentagon on Tuesday, marking the first legislation to hit the floor since lawmakers returned from August recess.

Lawmakers advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a largely bipartisan 84 to 14 vote, setting up the bill for debate before a later vote to advance it from the Senate.

This year’s version of the bill isn’t as divisive as its predecessor, given the lack of provisions targeting ‘woke’ policies at the Pentagon, which became a major target for Republicans when they gained power in the House during the latter half of former President Joe Biden’s first term.

Instead, the measure focuses on military contracting reforms and lasers in on the Pentagon’s failure to complete, let alone pass, an audit for the last several years. It also includes a bump to service members’ pay, though not as high as in recent years. It also includes an extension to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028, and increases authorized funding to $500 million. 

Still, the measure would authorize about 3% more funding for the Pentagon when compared to last year’s NDAA in the midst of the GOP and White House’s push to cut costs in the government.

It also comes on the heels of a $150 billion injection of defense spending passed in President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said after the bill glided through committee in July that the ‘United States is operating in the most dangerous threat environment we have faced since World War II.’

‘The bill my committee advanced today is a direct reflection of the severity of that threat environment, as well as the rapidly evolving landscape of war,’ he said. ‘My colleagues and I have prioritized reindustrialization and the structural rebuilding of the arsenal of democracy.’

And Sen. Jack Reed, the Democrat on the panel, similarly agreed that the U.S. ‘faces a global security environment unlike any in recent memory.’

‘This legislation invests in the service members, technology, and capabilities we need to deter our adversaries and defend our national interests,’ the Rhode Island Democrat said. ‘I thank Chairman Wicker and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for advancing this bill to prioritize the safety and security of the American people.’

The Senate and House have offered competing versions of the bill, too. Lawmakers in the upper chamber leapfrogged their colleagues in the House, where their iteration of the NDAA is expected to be considered next week.

Overall, the Senate’s version of the legislation would tee up nearly $925 billion in defense spending. That total is split among the Department of Defense at over $878 billion, the Department of Energy at over $35 billion with another $10 billion allocated for ‘defense-related activities’ outside of the bill’s jurisdiction.

The House version of the bill clocked in at just over $848 billion, well below the Senate’s product but more in line with the Pentagon’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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