All articles tagged with #oil price
Rising energy costs triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran have sparked protests worldwide as oil climbs above $100 a barrel, with demonstrations and blackouts from Guatemala to Syria and even record diesel prices in Portugal, as governments blame the conflict for shortages.
Global equities retreat as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions flare, sending the Dow down more than 400 points; oil climbs above $90 a barrel, while bond yields rise to multi-year highs; China dissents from a G20 statement on cheap exports, and VW faces a potential Euro Stoxx 50 downgrade with Nokia as a replacement.
Global bond markets dive while Brent crude hits around $92 after President Trump declines an Iranian peace deal, triggering a widespread selloff and rising yields (US 30-year near 5.28%, UK 30-year near 5.89%). Equities wobble as traders question the viability of traditional 60:40 stock/bond portfolios amid ongoing geopolitical risk and potential U.S./Iran actions.
Oil surged to around $92 a barrel on US-Iran tensions, pushing euro-area and Japanese yields to multi‑year highs and fanning inflation fears that keep major central banks on a tightening path. ECB rate hike bets solidify for the Sept. 9‑10 meeting, while US traders increasingly price in a September Fed move (around 60% probability). European stocks edged lower and US futures dipped as investors reassess inflation risks, with gold holding gains and the dollar softening amid the policy crossroads.
U.S. Treasury yields pulled back after the 10-year briefly hit its highest since January 2025 as Brent crude topped $100 a barrel, reviving inflation fears; the 10-year hovered around 4.67%, the 2-year near 4.33%, and the 30-year about 5.15%. A softer July PMI and a healthier labor market — with weekly jobless claims at 187,000, below forecasts — helped support the market, even as President Trump discussed potential large-scale strikes on Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions.
The 10-year Treasury yield rose to about 4.7% (its highest since January 2025) and the 30-year climbed to around 5.19% as Brent crude neared $100 amid Middle East tensions, fueling concerns about higher debt costs and sticky inflation while investors weigh possible Fed action later this year; despite higher yields, equities have held up on earnings growth and optimism about the economy.
Brent crude climbed above $90 a barrel to around $91 as renewed US-Iran hostilities and attacks on vessels threaten flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with Kuwait reporting damage to an oil facility and analysts warning the conflict could broaden, keeping prices elevated.
US stocks fell on Wednesday as oil surged after Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire over, with the Dow down around 1.6% (over 800 points), the S&P 500 about 1%, and the Nasdaq roughly 0.9% lower, as markets brace for Fed minutes and potential rate guidance amid rising Middle East tensions.
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to 340.3 million barrels (the lowest since 1983) as emergency releases cushion an Iran-related supply disruption. Inventories are at historic lows and are expected to keep declining even after a U.S.–Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with normalization of flows likely taking weeks to months; analysts warn that prices could stay under pressure while the global supply tightens. The SPR’s role as a last-resort supplier remains front and center amid a tight oil market and coordinated IEA releases earlier this year.
Global oil inventories are nearing critically low levels, making a spike to $150–160 per barrel plausible in the coming weeks, according to Exxon Mobil’s Neil Chapman, who says we could be approaching “unheard of inventory levels” with a two-to-four week window to see really tight stocks. While prices have been hovering in the $90s, disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing supply concerns could drive crude higher, though OPEC+ decisions and demand shifts could temper the move. The piece also suggests hedging risk by owning energy names such as Occidental Petroleum or Exxon Mobil amid potential volatility and inflationary pressure from higher oil prices.
Oil prices climbed toward $100 a barrel as uncertainties around a U.S.-Iran ceasefire persisted, while U.S. stocks remained near record highs.
UK unleaded petrol jumped to 158.52p per litre — the highest since the start of the Iran war — as Brent crude climbed to around $111 a barrel from about $73 pre-conflict, lifting pump prices; diesel rose to 185.92p. The RAC says petrol could push past 160p unless oil prices ease, while diesel looks relatively more positive. The chancellor’s plans to raise fuel duty are under review, but the Treasury did not comment.
Oil futures have not fully priced in the ongoing Hormuz-related supply shock; while futures are up about $30 vs February, they remain $20-30 below some physical cargoes trading around $130-$150 per barrel, indicating the physical market is tighter than the futures curve suggests. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, prices could surge toward $150-$200 per barrel into the summer, and it could take months to restore flows (and years to repair damaged upstream/downstream infrastructure). Analysts warn the optimism around a quick reopening may blind markets to the scale of the disruption.
Global stock markets were mixed on May Day as many markets closed for the holiday; US stocks showed a cautious, mixed session while crude oil held around $104 a barrel, keeping near recent levels as traders digested data and awaited guidance from other markets.
Oil prices jumped to a four-year high as the Iran war risks disrupting flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of possible renewed strikes and ongoing regional tensions. In Washington, Trump criticized Germany’s leadership over Iran policy as Hegseth faced questions about war costs and duration, while Iran and its allies pushed back against Western pressure. Across the region, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon caused mass displacement and casualties, a Gaza flotilla was intercepted, and Iran vowed to defend its nuclear and missile capabilities as the U.S. weighs new options and Germany mulls troop reductions.