Singapore

Markets reduced bets on an imminent rate hike by the Federal Reserve after a series of soft U.S. data, which included an 'unexpected drop in the retail sales. According to CME Group's FedWatch, a hike in the next month has been priced at 30%. This is down from 50% a week ago. The STOXX benchmark, which measures 600 large European companies, rose by 0.21%. This followed earlier gains of MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan (which rose 0.5%), while Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.3%. The Hang Seng index rose 1.6% and Chinese blue-chips gained 0.8% ahead of the release of...

Asian shares edged higher on Monday, led largely by Chinese stocks, ahead of important economic data. Investors kept a watchful eye on oil prices, after a large gain last week, amid a deadlock in the Gulf conflict. After a string of weak data, including a surprise drop in retail sales and a lackluster run of economic reports, markets have given up on betting that the Federal Reserve will soon raise interest rates. According to CME Group's FedWatch, a rate hike in the next month has been priced at 30%. This is down from 50% a week ago. The broadest MSCI...

Investors kept an eye on the oil price, which climbed a lot last week. The lack of progress in ending the Iran War kept inflation risks on the rise. The progress towards peace talks, and the oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained stagnant. Iran called on the U.S. on Saturday to accept defeat while President Donald Trump asked Americans to accept higher gas prices as long as the conflict continues. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 11 people died in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Saturday. This is among the highest number of deaths...

The Asian stock market rose on Friday as the inflation data lowered expectations for an imminent U.S. interest rate hike. However, the faltering talks to end the Middle East war are likely to keep the risk sentiment in check. Brent?futures remained steady at $87.03 a barrel, following a decline on Thursday, but were on track for a weekly gain of 4%, ending a two-week loss streak. This was after the U.S. warned to increase economic pressure against Iran, including by extending a navy blockade. The markets have largely ignored the lack of progress made in the Iran War, focusing instead...

Oil prices fell on Wednesday as traders awaited the outcome of talks to end Iran's war. U.S. inflation data showed only a small increase, which dampened some expectations about a Federal Reserve rate hike. The U.S.-Iran talks were at a standstill. Both the United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have reported separate attacks on ships. Oil prices fell as investors took into account lower demand expectations. Data released on Wednesday showed that U.S. consumer price index increased by 0.1% in July. This was in line with the expectations. This small increase may weaken the case for a Federal Reserve interest...

Oil prices and global equity markets increased after the talks to end Iran's war reached an impasse. The markets then turned to the U.S. inflation data later that day. The?U.S. Consumer prices data will provide signals about the timing of a Federal Reserve rate increase. The data may not reflect the latest rise in oil price, but it can still be used to set expectations for next month's Fed meeting when the money markets predict a roughly 50/50 chance of an increase. According to a survey, consumer prices are predicted to rise by 0.1% in the month of July after...

The oil prices rose and global stocks were up on Tuesday as traders focused on the negotiations between the United States and Iran on a peace agreement and the reopening of Strait of Hormuz. Gains were tempered by uncertainty over the?global inflation forecast. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Pakistan's defence minister stated that the U.S. is close to a "sort of arrangement" between Iran and Pakistan. The MSCI index of world stocks rose 0.10% to 1,154.40. The escalating tensions between the two countries have been a focus of attention. Oil prices jumped 5% Monday as a result. Donald Trump,...

Asian share markets followed Wall Street's lead on Monday, after a weak U.S. employment report reduced the risk of an increase in borrowing costs near-term. However, a lackluster progress in Gulf peace negotiations saw oil prices rise. Iran said?on Sunday? that an agreement with Oman to define new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages. However, it reiterated that this waterway will only be reopened once the United States meets other conditions. Brent crude increased 0.6% to $84.04 per barrel, as the shipping volume through this vital waterway was minimal. U.S. crude climbed 0.5% to...

The Asian share market matched Wall Street's gains on Monday, after a weak U.S. employment report reduced the risk of an increase in borrowing costs near-term. However, a lack progress?in Gulf Peace talks led to oil prices?creeping?higher. Iran announced on Sunday that it was nearing the final stages of a deal that would define new shipping lanes for the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Iranian government reiterated that this waterway will only be reopened once the United States meets other conditions. Brent crude increased by 0.9% to $84.32 per barrel, as the shipping volume through this vital waterway was minimal....

The global stock market is on track for its biggest weekly gain since the beginning of May, after a weaker than expected U.S. job report eased concerns about an imminent Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Meanwhile, strong earnings and AI enthusiasm overshadowed concerns about the Iran War. U.S. stock prices opened higher on the Friday, and Treasury yields dropped. This reflects a waning expectation that the Fed would raise rates next month. The Nasdaq gained 0.7% during early trading, while the dollar dropped. This gave the Japanese yen some relief. The yen rose to 157.20 against the dollar, after previously...

Singapore's oil product stocks, Asia's "key fuel trading hub", registered their first weekly increase since June 24. This was due to a rise in the light distillate and residue fuels inventories that offset a decline in middle distillate stockpiles, according to government data. Enterprise Singapore's data shows that total onshore oil products stocks increased to 39.455 millions barrels from 37.952million barrels the previous week. RISE OF LIGHTS AND RESIDUAL FUELS The inventories of light distillate, which includes naphtha, gasoline and other fuels, rose for the second week in a row to 12.539 millions barrels during the week ending August 5....

European stocks rose alongside U.S. Futures on Tuesday. However, a'rebound in the oil price underscored market scepticism about the U.S. - Iran war being resolved quickly by diplomacy. The yen has weakened, but still held onto most of its gains following last week's joint intervention by Washington and Tokyo to support the currency. Majed al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatar Foreign Ministry, said that diplomatic efforts were being made to end the U.S. - Iran war. However an attack near Strait of Hormuz raised doubts about the conflict's conclusion. Brent futures increased 1.5% to $85.05 per barrel, after falling 7%...

Asia's crude oil imports by sea?rose slightly in June, but remained near their lowest levels in over a decade due to the impact of the?Iran Conflict on shipments from Middle East. Data from commodity analysts Kpler show that the top importing region will receive 20,71 million barrels of oil per day in June. This is up a fraction from the?20.39million bpd received in May and almost 2 million bpd more than the 18,77million bpd achieved in April. The imports of Asia remain well below the average 26.79 millions bpd for the three-month period prior to the United States' and Israel's...

Asia's crude oil imports are expected to return to pre-Iran Conflict levels, but the flow of refined products is still constrained. Fuel prices reflect this supply stress. According to data compiled by Kpler, the world's largest energy consumer region is expected to import 22.18 millions barrels of crude per day in June. This represents an increase from 20.35million bpd imported in May. The arrivals in June are still below the 26.76m bpd average for the three months leading up to the United States' and Israel's attack on Iran, which took place on February 28. The figures are still well above...

Singapore's oil product inventories, Asia's main trading hub, remained near 13-year lows for a second consecutive week, mainly due to softer distillates and stable residual stocks. Official data on Thursday showed that middle distillates inventories had risen. Enterprise Singapore's data shows that onshore oil product inventories totaled around 35.26 millions barrels for the week ending 17 June, a slight increase from the 34.41million barrels of the previous week. Since the U.S. - Iran war began, oil stocks have been dwindling globally due to a lack of cargo shipments from the Strait of Hormuz as well as a reduction in existing...

Official data on Thursday showed that oil product inventories in Asia's main trading hub Singapore fell to their lowest level?in almost 13 years. This was due to a'sharp' decline in residual fuel stocks as the Middle East conflict continued. Enterprise Singapore's data shows that the combined onshore oil products stocks fell to 34.41 millions barrels during the week ending June 10. This is the lowest level since July 2013. The oil inventories at global storage hubs are shrinking, as Middle Eastern shipments continue to be curtailed by the U.S. - Iran?war. In the week ending June 10, inventories of residual...

Two sources familiar with the matter said that Trafigura, a global commodities trader, is "among" three companies competing for a 36.36 percent stake in Natref Refinery of South African petrochemical giant Sasol. After the British-based Prax group, which bought the minority stake in South Africa's sole inland crude oil refining plant from TotalEnergies two years ago for an undisclosed amount, went into bankruptcy in 2025, the remaining shares in the 108.500 barrels per daily plant are up for sale. South?African fuels are among the biggest in Africa, and analysts predict that it will continue to grow for?the near future. This...

The global oil market has been predicting that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed for a short time, and the disruption of crude and refined product supply will also be brief. This expectation is reflected in the price of crude oil futures. Although they have increased sharply since February 28, the prices are still far below the highs achieved in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The paper crude market, in effect, has believed U.S. president Donald Trump's social media posts that have been made since the bombing began, that the?conflict?will be over soon and Iran...

Industry sources say that spot premiums for U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude are at all-time highs due to the fierce competition for oil supply between Asian and European refiners. This is in response to Middle Eastern oil flow disruptions caused by the Iran War. Europe is the biggest importer of U.S. oil, but the competition has increased as Asian buyers are searching for supplies from the Americas and Africa to Europe to replace Middle Eastern crude that cannot move through the Strait of Hormuz. Sources and analysts say that the increase in crude oil prices has increased costs for refiners...

The sudden increase in jet fuel costs in Asia is a warning sign that the economic impact of the Middle East war is soon to be felt by energy consumers. Jet fuel prices in Asia's main trading hub, Singapore, rocketed by 72% on Wednesday to a record $225.44 per barrel, due to concerns about future supplies, given the disruption of approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined products shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Jet kerosene - The spot price The price of oil has risen 140% from the closing price of $93.45 per barrel on 27 February,...

Gas producers from western Indonesia signed a swap agreement with Singaporean buyers Sembcorp Gas and Gas Supply Pte and state-owned distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara to boost domestic gas supplies, according to PT Pertamina. Pertamina stated in a press release that the gas swap scheme is designed to meet demand for natural gas in Indonesia, especially in the power and industrial sectors. MedcoEnergi, an Indonesian gas producer whose units are part of the West Natuna Supply Group (WNSG) and Corridor Block (also parties to the agreement), will replace the flows from the Corridor Block to Singapore with those coming from WNSG....

In April, Asia's imports for key refined fuels like gasoline and diesel dropped to their lowest level in four years. This was due to refinery maintenance as well as a weaker demand from the region that is the largest importer. According to commodity analysts Kpler, the total imports of light distillates and middle distillates in April were 166.37 millions barrels, down from March's 195.54 and the lowest since April 2020. The sharp fall in imports for April was due to a decline in shipments by key exporters of refined goods. Kpler reports that India, which is the top fuel exporter...

Puma Energy, a Trafigura-owned refinery products company, reported a 5% increase in net profit for 2024 in financial results published on Thursday. This is the third consecutive year that the business, which was once in a state of struggle has made a profit. Trafigura, a global commodity trading company, bought Sonangol’s stake in Puma Energy (then a loss-making company) in 2021. It took full control of the company and integrated it to its company as a way to increase its downstream market share. The company announced that its net profit was $39million. The company will not be paying a dividend....

Fuel oil margins rose after U.S. president Donald Trump reimposed tougher policies on Iran. However, trade sources expect the rally to be short-lived due to an unclear disruption in supply, and weaker China demand, as well as broader tariff worries, weighed on sentiment. As traders have considered various factors and pondered the uncertainty of supply, there has been a volatile movement in the market this year, especially for high-sulfur fuel. A fuel oil trader stated that the recent increase in crack spread or traded margin was more of an emotional reaction. He added that Chinese demand remains a negative factor....