Crude Oil

Oil prices dropped?on Friday, continuing losses from the previous day as investors watched peace talks between Iran and the United States, while economic activity in Europe?shrank dramatically. Brent crude futures fell 82 cents or?0.8%? to $104.20 a barge by 0949 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Futures were down $60 cents or 0.6%?to $97.66. The benchmarks fell around 5.6% to their lowest level in over a week on Wednesday after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that talks with Iran are in the final stages. Tehran is responding to the text sent by the U.S., Iran's ISNA reported on Thursday. The news...

Russia announced?on Thursday it would provide active support to Cuba, despite efforts by the United States to 'intimidate' and tighten "sanctions" around the Communist island nation. The United States announced a murder charge against former president Raul Castro, Wednesday. This is a major escalation of Washington's war against Cuba. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told reporters that "we will continue to provide the most active support to a fraternal Cuban population during this extremely challenging period." "We reaffirm that we are fully united with Cuba. We condemn any attempts to grossly interfere in the internal affairs a...

The oil prices recovered on Thursday, after two days of losses. This was due to supply concerns arising from the uncertainty surrounding the end of the Iran War and the U.S. inventory withdrawal which raised fears about the depletion of global stocks. Brent crude futures grew 81 cents or 0.77% to $105.83 a barrel by 0055 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate futures rose 97 cents or 0.99% at $99.23. Both benchmarks fell more than 5.6% after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran are in their final stages. He also threatened to launch further attacks against Iran if...

The rise in borrowing costs and the artificial intelligence investment frenzy are closely related. A long-term productivity boom is boosting estimates of neutral rates, even though workers' share of GDP is declining. Some of the bond market volatility this month can be attributed to the Iran-related oil crisis and its immediate inflation impact. Stock markets are at record highs, but it's harder to explain them during an energy crisis. Goldman Sachs estimates that AI?capex will be $7.6 trillion in the next five-year period. This is the biggest driver for both bonds and stocks. Some circles remain opposed to the idea....

The global stock index dropped on Tuesday as 30-year U.S. Treasury rates rose to their highest level since 2007. Oil prices also eased, as investors digested recent headlines about U.S. negotiations with?Iran in order to end the conflict. U.S. president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that it may be necessary to strike again at?Iran. He also stated that he was an hour from ordering an assault before postponing. Trump said on Monday that he had put off a planned resumption after a new Iranian proposal to end the U.S. - Israel war. U.S. Vice-President JD Vance stated that the United...

Citi said on Tuesday that it expects Brent crude prices to rise to $120 per barrel in the short-term. It stated that oil markets undervalue the risks of a "prolonged supply disruption" and other "tail risks". The bank stated that its 'bull-case scenario' is that Brent prices will reach $150/bbl if the Strait of Hormuz gradually reopens during the third quarter. The oil prices fell on Tuesday, after Vice President JDVance stated that the U.S. had made progress with Iran in their talks. Neither side wanted to see military action resumed. Brent futures for the month of July?settled at $111.28...

Oil prices fell on Tuesday as investors digested headlines about U.S.-Iran talks to end the war. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Tuesday that the United States might need to strike Iran again and that he was an hour from ordering an assault before postponing. Trump said on Monday that he had put off a planned resumption after a new Iranian proposal to end the U.S. - Israel war. U.S. Vice-President JD Vance stated that the United States has made significant progress in its talks with Iran and that neither side would like to see the military campaign resumed....

U.S. bond rates?rose on Tuesday as major U.S. indexes declined. Oil prices also eased following the announcement by U.S. president Donald Trump that he had paused an attack against Iran and referred to "a good chance" for a nuclear agreement. Trump said on Monday that he halted the planned resumption of attacks against Iran in order to give time to negotiate a peace deal after Tehran sent Washington a new proposal. Trump said that there was a'very good chance' the U.S. would reach an agreement with Iran in order to prevent Tehran obtaining a nuke weapon. The yields on U.S....

Data released on Tuesday showed that the annual inflation rate in Canada increased to 2.8% from 2.4% in March. This was largely due to a sharp rise in gasoline prices following the 'Iran War, which pushed up global crude oil prices. The consumer price index has reached 2.8% for the first time since almost two years. This shows how quickly the economic effects of the war in Iran that began on February 28 have been felt. The inflation rate was lower than analysts expected as the prices of travel, tours, certain accommodation costs and furniture fell on an annual basis...

The global stock and bond market stabilized on Tuesday after U.S. president Donald Trump postponed an attack against Iran and stated that there was a high chance of a nuclear agreement, which sent oil prices lower. Trump announced on Monday that he has halted the?planned? resumption? of attacks against Iran in order to give time to negotiate a peace deal. This comes after Tehran sent Washington a new proposal for peace. The U.S. has a "very high chance" of reaching an agreement with Iran that would prevent Tehran from getting a nuclear bomb. Investors were cautious after a drone strike...

Oil prices dropped more than 2% on early Asian trading on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would pause a planned strike on Iran to 'allow for negotiations in order to end the Middle East war. Brent futures for delivery in July fell $3.01 or 2.7% to $109.09 per barrel at 00:01 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude for delivery in June fell $1.38 or 1.3% to $107.28. In the previous session, both benchmarks reached their highest levels since April 30 and May 5, respectively. The June WTI contract expires Tuesday. Meanwhile, the most active contract...

The major stock indexes were mostly down as technology shares declined?on Sunday, while Brent crude oil prices rose to a 2-week high as investors assessed if there would be any progress in the near future to end the Iran War. Overnight trading, U.S. Treasury longer-term yields had risen to their highest levels in more than a year. Investors are worried that the war in Iran, which began late February, could cause a lasting inflationary crisis. They fear that rising energy costs will lead to higher consumer prices and a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Donald Trump, the U.S....

Stocks rose on Thursday as some vessels resumed their passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, forecast-beating Nvidia results and a suspended workers' strike by Samsung Electronics boosted?shares of the chipmakers. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan rose 1.2% to end a four-day losing streak. Meanwhile, the KOSPI soared over 4%. Brent crude futures rose 0.7% in Asia to $105.76 per barrel, retracing their declines following the passage of three supertankers through the Strait on Wednesday. Iran also consolidated control over the waterway. Wall Street saw the S&P500 rise 1.1% and the Nasdaq Composite rally 1.5%, after three...

The global share market fell on Monday, as new drone attacks in the Gulf pushed oil prices and bonds yields higher. This stoked inflation concerns in a week where the tech bull will be tested with?earnings by Nvidia. The United Arab Emirates reported that a drone attack caused a fire at a nuclear plant. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting three drones. The Strait of Hormuz, which is vital to the oil and gas industry in the world, remains closed for all but a small amount of shipping. This is because Tehran wants to formalise control of this waterway. George Lagarias...

Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. There's a limit on 'wishful thinking. The markets had assumed that the U.S. would?see sense and reach a deal with Iran at any time. Tehran still seems to favor?attack drones and President Trump tweets in ALL CAPS. Investors have realised that the Strait of?Hormuz won't be opening anytime soon. There are still some ships passing through but not as many as the average pre-war of 136 per day. Global inventories are also steadily shrinking. Analysts estimate that 1 billion barrels will be lost by...

Asia share markets fell on Monday, as new drone attacks in Gulf drove up oil prices and bond yields. Meanwhile, the AI boom will be tested this week by the earnings of tech-diva Nvidia. Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones as U.S. president Donald Trump warned that Iran must "act fast" to reach an agreement. The Strait of Hormuz, which used to transport 20% of world oil trade, is still closed to all but the smallest of ships as Tehran attempts to formalise control of this waterway. Capital Economics analysts warned that the closure was draining oil stocks worldwide fast. "Inventories...

As U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar rose, gold fell to its lowest level in more than a week. Meanwhile, inflation fears due to the Middle East conflict reinforced bets on higher interest rates. By 11:40 am EDT (1540 GMT), spot gold had fallen 2.3% to $4,541.91 an ounce. This was its lowest price since May 4. So far, prices are down 3.7% this week. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 3.2% to $4,535 "There were a few reasons for the selloff in (precious) metals. The dollar is strong today. Edward Meir is an analyst with Marex. The yields...

During a leadership'summit with Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping stated his interest in buying more U.S. crude oil to reduce China’s dependence on Strait of Hormuz. The readout said that both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz should remain open in order to allow for the free flow of oil and Xi was against any militarization of the strait or tolls. The Chinese summaries published by the state media did not mention oil purchases. China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a comment request. Trump and Xi spent several hours together on Thursday, the first day of a two-day...

Gold remained largely unchanged on 'Thursday as investors digested a rise in U.S. Inflation due to increased energy costs associated with the Iran War. As of 0931 GMT, spot gold was up 0.1% to $4,689.79 an ounce. U.S. Gold futures for June delivery dropped 0.2% to $4,696.20. China's Xi Jinping said that the trade talks are?making good progress on Thursday at the beginning of a two day summit. However, he warned that disagreements over Taiwan may?damage relationships and even lead conflict. Gold is still hovering at $4,700 while markets digest the latest U.S. inflation figures. Carlo Alberto De Casa, a...

The stock market started Wednesday's Asian session in a negative mood, as the U.S. inflation rate was higher than expected and underscored the growing economic impact of the Middle East conflict. MSCI's "broadest" index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan fell 0.6% for the second consecutive day, as Korean shares dropped as much as 3.2%. They then recovered. In recent weeks the Korean market has been on fire, breaking records on a rally led by artificial intelligence that some traders believe was due for a correction. Nikkei was down by 0.2% in Japan, while S&P e-mini futures were 0.1% lower. Tony...

The dollar rose on Tuesday as the hopes of a deal that would allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz faded. Meanwhile, a hot rally in "chip" stocks cooled down and traders waited for U.S. inflation data. The U.S. president Donald Trump said that the ceasefire agreement with Iran, which had been in place for a month, was "on life-support" after Tehran's reaction to the U.S. plan of ending the war showed how far apart the two sides were. Brent crude futures rose almost 4%, to $108 per barrel. The STOXX 600 in Europe was down by 0.6%....

Investors were 'fretted' that the talks between Iran and the U.S. had reached a deadlock, leaving the Strait of Hormuz almost?closed. This sent oil prices back up. Donald Trump, the president of the United States, rejected Iran's response on Sunday to a U.S. proposal for peace talks that would end the war. He said Tehran's requests were "totally inacceptable". Brent crude futures, around 45% more expensive than they were before Israel and the U.S. began their strikes against Iran on February 28th, jumped up to 4.6% over night and closed at $103.75 per barrel, an increase of 2.4% for the...

On Monday, the dollar rose and share futures fell in Asia as signs emerged that the talks between the United States &?Iran had reached a deadlock. This would have effectively closed the 'Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices up. Donald Trump rejected Iran's response on Sunday to the U.S. proposal to hold peace talks in order to end the conflict, calling Tehran's demands "totally unacceptable." Iranian media reported that an Iranian plan sent to Washington stressed the need to end the war on all sides and lift sanctions against Tehran. Bruce Kasman noted that the conflict in the Middle...

On Friday, global equities were mixed as new U.S. job data showed growth in the U.S. market. However, consumer sentiment was down and oil prices continued to rise due to ongoing fighting near Strait of Hormuz. European stocks fell, but the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely unchanged. Chipmakers, such as Qualcomm, recovered. Qualcomm was up around 10% while Nvidia rose 2.3%. The price of oil rose again on the Friday following renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, which raised doubts about the ceasefire agreement between Iran and...