FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Concerns About Escalation in U.S.-Iran War

By

-- Crude oil prices rose on Thursday, hitting a four-year high, amid concerns that hostilities in the Middle East may start up again and prolong the supply disruptions in the region.

Brent crude at last look jumped 2.9% to US$121.48/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.5% to $108.51/barrel. This comes after Axios, citing unidentified sources, reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on plans for a series of military strikes on Iran to push for a return to negotiations on its nuclear program, Reuters said in a Thursday report.

Additionally, Trump spoke with oil companies about how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long U.S. blockade, Reuters reported, citing a White House official.

Continued price hikes risk a renewed spike in global inflation and higher fuel prices, the report said. "For those who do not think Brent prices have the potential to reach $150 a barrel, you ought to look away now," Reuters quoted John Evans of oil broker PVM as saying.

"Prospects for any near-term resolution to the Iran conflict or a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remain dim," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore was quoted as saying in a note.

Related Articles

Research

Deutsche Bank Upgrades SiteOne Landscape Supply to Buy From Hold, $160 Price Target

SiteOne Landscape Supply (SITE) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $160.73, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)

$SITE
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Cuts View On Enterprise Products Partners To Hold From Buy

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Our downgrade (to Hold from Buy) is on valuation, with shares up 21% YTD and now trading close to our target price. We maintain our 12-month target price at $40, a 10.9x multiple of enterprise value to projected '27 EBITDA, slightly above EPD's historical forward average. The applied multiple is a small premium to EPD's historical forward average, but is merited in our view by rising demand for U.S. midstream assets. Such assets can help bring more crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas to export terminals at a time when Middle East-sourced energy is constrained. We raise our '26 EPS estimate by $0.06 to $2.90, and '27's by $0.03 to $3.23. Capex spend looks relatively high in '26, but should drop off meaningfully in '27. Units yield 5.7%, adding to total return potential. We see EPD with the combination of growth capex and dividends chewing up 89% of operating cash flow in '26, about in line with peers, and implying a modest margin for error.

$EPD
Research

Research Alert: Tap: Q1 Earnings Well Ahead Of Expectations; 2026 Guidance Unchanged

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Molson Coors (TAP) posted Q1 adjusted EPS of $0.62 vs. $0.50 (+24%), well ahead of the $0.36 consensus. The beat was due to stronger-than-expected sales and margins, as net sales rose 2.0% to $2.35B ($25M above consensus) on a 2.9% drop in financial volume, partially offset by positive impacts from price/sales mix (+3.0%) and currency (+1.9%). Gross margin expanded 130 bps to 38.2% (350 bps ahead of consensus). The decline in financial volume reflected ongoing industry challenges, with U.S. brand volumes falling 3.5% due to lower share performance in core and value segments, while Canada experienced a 4.0% decline led by broader industry weakness. TAP maintained guidance for a full-year underlying EPS decline of 11%-15%, implying EPS of approximately $4.61-$4.82, versus the current consensus of $4.71 and the $5.42 earned in 2025. TAP shares are currently trading 5% higher in pre-market trading following the release. TAP's margin performance was notably strong, with COGS remaining flat despite lower volumes.

$TAP