The company's profit has surged significantly, driven by the Iran conflict which pushed energy prices higher, gains across its key commodity portfolio, and one of the strongest performances ever from its trading division.
Glencore reported that its core earnings for the first half of the year reached $10.1 billion, an 86% increase compared to the same period last year. The company announced it will return an additional $1.5 billion to shareholders, comprising a $1 billion special distribution and a $500 million share buyback program.
The Middle East conflict has increased volatility in energy markets, allowing commodity traders to capitalize on the fluctuations. This has also boosted the coal business, which remains one of Glencore's most significant profit drivers. Meanwhile, copper prices hit historic highs during the reporting period, fueled by the artificial intelligence boom and trade tariffs. The company also stated it will apply for a secondary listing in Australia.
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