Cocoa prices fall amid geopolitical tension and El Niño concerns

Cocoa markets remain volatile as demand shows an uneven rebound while supply worries persist. Prices swung sharply, with September contracts on the New York exchange dropping 3.68% to $5.842 per ton, driven by profit‑taking, El Niño‑related crop concerns and heightened risk aversion after renewed U.S.–Iran tensions.

Consumer entertainment spending stays robust despite budget pressure, a trend dubbed “Funflation.” Major firms such as Xbox, Apple, Disney and Netflix are expanding content, bundles and services to capture attention as consumers become more selective.

The White House announced a voluntary pledge to align utilities and data‑center developers, aiming to curb AI‑driven electricity demand and prevent higher power bills for households and businesses while supporting rapid AI infrastructure growth.