All articles tagged with #commodities
Oil prices jumped as Brent traded around $115 a barrel and WTI near $101, after Yemen’s Houthis attacked Israel and Iran-related tensions intensified, underscoring supply-disruption risks and a persistent risk premium amid regional hostilities and ongoing U.S. deployments in the Middle East.
Oil prices rose on Friday but markets were set for their first weekly decline since the Iran‑led conflict began, with Brent around $109.88 a barrel and WTI near $96. The market remains focused on potential duration of the war and disruption to global supplies (the IEA says roughly 11 million barrels per day have been removed from supply). Trump paused attacks on Iranian energy facilities and weighing ground action to seize Kharg Island, keeping fears of prolonged disruption — and a possible spike in prices if fighting intensifies — while some analysts see potential for a decline if de‑escalation occurs, keeping prices above pre-crisis levels.
Gold prices have fallen as gold’s traditional hedge against a stronger dollar wanes amid tighter financial conditions and position unwinds. Goldman Sachs argues crude is the lead driver for markets, lifting near‑term oil forecasts after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, withOil near 110 (XBR/USD) in the near term and 2026 forecasts of Brent around 85 and WTI around 79. The pullback in gold is not seen as a lasting shift in the long‑term thesis; instead, it’s viewed as a potential buying opportunity for long‑term investors, albeit with near‑term volatility likely as derivatives moves and energy-price dynamics play out.
Oil prices climbed more than 2% in European trading as the Middle East conflict persisted, with Brent up about 2.5% to $102.42 a barrel and WTI up about 2.8% to $90.67 a barrel. Markets were buoyant on the move despite Iran denying talks with the U.S., contradicting Trump’s claims, and ongoing tensions around supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
Silver prices slumped as a hawkish Federal Reserve and oil-driven inflation outweighed geopolitics, pressing the metal toward a key support level. A hold at that support could trigger a sharp rebound and continuation of the prior bullish trend, while a break lower would deepen the correction amid mixed global signals on demand (China weakness and slower global growth).
Oil prices swung between gains and losses as traders weighed threats to energy facilities from the US–Iran crisis against Washington’s temporary relief on Iranian oil sanctions. Brent traded around $112.84/bbl and WTI near $98.75/bbl, with the Brent–WTI spread at multi‑year highs. Analysts said escalation could keep prices elevated even if Hormuz reopens, as Gulf energy assets are damaged and Iraqi Basra production is cut. India and other buyers are examining Iran purchases, while the IEA’s Fatih Birol called the crisis very severe, underscoring risk to global energy flows.
Gold edged up in European trading but remains on track for a deep weekly loss as the Iran conflict raises inflation worries and dents bets on near-term rate cuts; spot gold around $4,657/oz and futures near $4,658/oz, with the week’s decline about 8% as the dollar weakens and energy price pressures cloud central bank policy.
US officials signal a potential lift of sanctions on Iranian crude on water, aiming to release about 140 million barrels to help cap prices amid Middle East tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruption. Citi boosted its near-term oil outlook to around $120 a barrel with a bull case of $150 if disruptions persist, while a de-escalation could see Brent ease to $70–$80 by year-end; Israel is aiding efforts to reopen Hormuz.
Oil prices pulled back from an intraday spike after Netanyahu said Iran has no capacity to enrich uranium, with Brent trading around $106.50—near its highest level since July 2022 after a session high near $119—while WTI hovered around $94. The moves reflect ongoing supply worries from the Iran–Israel conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, set against a backdrop of cautious central-bank commentary on policy paths amid higher energy costs.
Strait of Hormuz closures amid Middle East conflict are forcing buyers to seek Gulf-like substitutes, pushing Oman crude above $150 a barrel (near $154) and driving regional benchmarks to record highs while widening the gap between physical oil prices and Brent/WTI futures; higher tanker costs and longer routes add to the strain on Asian refiners and global markets.
OCBC analysts say oil prices are likely to hold above $100 per barrel in the near term due to limited Iran de-escalation and tightened Strait of Hormuz flows, keeping global crude markets tight. They expect Brent to hover around $100 through mid-2026 and ease to about $70 by early 2027 as disruptions fade, but a supply shock risk remains if tensions persist, even as mitigations like strategic reserves and alternative routes could offset part of the gap.
Gold remains under pressure around the $5,000 level as Treasury yields slide and the dollar dips, testing support near $4,956 after breaking below the $5,100–$5,120 zone and the 50-day moving average; silver hovers around $78–$79 with a break above potentially targeting $86–$87, while platinum rebounds above $2,080 on dip buying with palladium strength supporting the complex, though oil and geopolitics keep catalysts limited in the near term.
Oil prices wavered in choppy trading as supply fears tied to Iran resurfaced amid the U.S.-Israel conflict. Brent traded around $103.41 a barrel and WTI about $96.40, after earlier gains, as President Trump urged international support to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. He said talks with seven countries, including China, were under way. The UAE reported a second drone strike on Fujairah, Tehran signaled the waterway would stay closed until attacks cease, and the IEA began releasing emergency oil reserves to offset potential shocks.
Oil prices hovered around $100 a barrel as fighting with Iran kept supply fears in focus, with Brent around $101 and US crude near the mid-$90s, as inflation concerns and upcoming data add to market jitters.
Gold gave up an early rally and slid about 2% to around $5,066 per ounce after briefly spiking to $5,196, as Asian demand failed to materialize and oil climbed to $107.41, pushing global markets lower and prompting traders to pare risk. Silver also fell (~3%), while longer-term inflation or recession fears remain supportive of gold, though near-term dynamics favor selling in a crowded, leveraged trade.