United States Oil Fund

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Premarket Monday

Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Monday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 1.2%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 2.3% and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 3.1% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 2% higher at $97.28 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 2.1% to $103.40 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 3.3% at $2.85 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Kodiak Gas Services (KGS) stock was up more than 10% after the company posted higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.National Energy Services Reunited (NESR) shares were up more than 4% after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.Blackstone (BX) and Halliburton (HAL) will invest a combined $1 billion into energy startup VoltaGrid in a deal that values the firm at over $10 billion, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Halliburton were up more than 1% premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Monday as Trump Rejects Reported Iran Proposal

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.1% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.03% higher in Monday's premarket activity as US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's reported resolution offer.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.03% before the start of regular trading.The existing home sales data for April will be released at 10 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 0.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.1% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 0.9%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) gained 2.8%.Power Play:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.5% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.6%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) increased by 2.6%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.9%.Monday.com (MNDY) shares were up more than 24% in premarket activity after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.2%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) retreated by 0.2%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) slipped 0.7%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was flat.Moderna (MRNA) stock rose over 9% premarket after Bloomberg reported the company has been working on early-stage vaccines targeting hantaviruses.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.01%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.01%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.2% lower.ORIX (IX) shares were up more than 8% pre-bell after the company reported higher fiscal 2026 earnings and revenue.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.2%, and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) gained 0.04%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was flat. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.3%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was down 0.4%, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) retreated by 0.3%.United Parks & Resorts (PRKS) shares were down more than 3% pre-bell after the company reported a wider Q1 loss and lower revenue.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.2%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.1%, and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (PAC) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell. The company said it had started the process for the potential establishment of a trust for the issuance of energy and infrastructure investment trust certificates, with a view to subscribing to a minority equity stake in the 12 Mexican airport concessionaires that Grupo Aeroportuario operates.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) rose 1.8%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 1.3%.Cameco (CCJ) stock was down more than 1% before Monday's opening bell after the company said that flooding in northern Saskatchewan collapsed the Smoothstone River Bridge, disrupting a key supply route to its McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 2.6% to $97.91 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 2.5% at $2.83 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) advanced 3.9%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 3.3% higher.Gold futures for May fell by 1% to $4,683.40 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures advanced by 1.2% to $81.81 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 1.1% lower, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 0.6%.

Oil Rises as the United States Rejects Iran's Response to Its Peace Proposal

Oil prices rose early on Monday after the United States rejected Iran's response to its peace proposal, calling it unacceptable, continuing the war that has produced the largest-ever energy supply shock.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for June delivery was last seen up US$2.92 to US$98.34 per barrel, while July Brent oil was up US$2.93 to US$104.33.Iran replied to a U.S. peace offer last week with a plan of its own, delivering a response on Sunday that included demands for compensation for war damages, acknowledgement of its control of the Strait of Hormuz, an end to Israel's war on Lebanon and the removal of sanctions on it oil exports and nuclear enrichment program.Iran's demands were dismissed by U.S. President Trump. who called the demands "totally unacceptable" in a social media post.The war launched by the United States and Israel is now in its tenth week, leaving the Strait of Hormuz closed to tankers that delivered 20% of daily demand for oil, LNG and refined products. Iran's blockade of the Strait has forced Asian nations that rely on Persian Gulf imports to bid up spot prices for oil, caused shortages of aviation fuel and raised inflation as gasoline costs climb."The two sides continue to maintain a fragile ceasefire while the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz drags on. After briefly trading down to USD 96 last week on renewed hopes the strait would reopen, Brent has rebounded above USD 105. Morgan Stanley has described the situation as a "race against time," warning that recent mitigating factors - such as a surge in U.S. exports (+3.8 mb/d YoY over the past 30 days) and weaker Chinese imports (-5.5 mb/d) - cannot persist indefinitely. That increasingly leaves demand destruction through slower consumption growth and higher prices as the only viable mechanisms to rebalance the market," Saxo Bank wrote.

Brent Crude Up 2.2% at US$103.55 and NY Crude Up 2.2% at Near US$97.50

Crude Oil Prices Surge on Lack of Peace Deal Between U.S. and Iran

Crude oil prices rose on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran's response to its proposal for a halt to the war was "unacceptable."Brent crude at last look gained 2.4% to US$103.74/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 2.2% to $97.55/barrel. The lack of a deal between the U.S. and Iran has renewed concerns that the global oil market will remain tight as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, Reuters said in a Monday note."Despite reassuring noises that back channels are still open and the parties are talking, our take is that the U.S. and Iran are as far away from agreement as when this supposed ceasefire started," Reuters quoted PVM Oil Associates analyst John Evans as saying.Even if the strait is reopened, it will take several months for the energy markets to normalize, the report said, citing analysts and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Lean Lower Premarket Friday

Energy stocks were leaning lower premarket Friday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) declining by 0.1%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 1.2% and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.8% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.1% higher at $94.90 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.4% to $100.45 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.1% at $2.80 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Enbridge (ENB) shares were up 0.4% after the company posted Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue that exceeded analysts' estimates.Devon Energy (DVN) stock was up more than 1% after the company launched a new share repurchase authorization of $8 billion and raised its fixed dividend to $0.320 per share, payable June 30 to shareholders of record as of June 15.Plains GP (PAGP) shares were down more than 2% after the company reported a decline in Q1 net income.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Friday Amid Employment Data

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.6% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.8% higher in Friday's premarket activity amid April's employment data release.US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.5%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.7% before the start of regular trading.The April employment report showed nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000, above the 65,000 jobs increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg, while March payrolls were revised up to a 185,000 increase and February payrolls were revised down to a 156,000 decrease.The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment reading for May and the wholesale inventory data for March will be released at 10 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 0.1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.1% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 0.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) fell 3%.Power Play:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gained 1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.7% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.7%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) advanced by 2.7%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 2%.United Microelectronics (UMC) shares were down more than 3% in premarket activity after the company reported April sales of 22.66 billion New Taiwan dollars ($721.8 million), up 11% from a year earlier.Winners and Losers:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.2% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 0.7%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Toyota Motor (TM) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell after the company reported lower fiscal 2026 earnings.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.3%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) rose 2%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) gained 0.5%.Tempus AI (TEM) stock was up more than 1% premarket after the company said it priced its upsized private placement of $400 million of 0% convertible senior notes due May 15, 2032.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.8%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.7% lower.Goldman Sachs BDC (GSBD) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell after the company reported lower Q1 adjusted net investment income and total investment income.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.6%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was flat and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was 1.1% higher.Ferrovial (FER) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and revenue.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) retreated by 0.02%.Scorpio Tankers (STNG) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said it plans to offer $150 million of 1.75% convertible senior notes due 2031 via a private placement.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 0.1% to reach $94.92 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 0.2% at $2.77 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) fell by 1.3%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.1% lower.Gold futures for May gained by 0.4% to reach $4,728.60 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures advanced by 1.1% to $81.09 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.1% higher, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 1.8%.

Brent Crude Up 0.55% at US$110.60 and NY Crude Up 0.3% at US$95.10

Crude Oil Prices Mostly Hold Onto Gains Amid Renewed Hostilities in Middle East

Crude oil prices stabilized after seeing gains due to renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, sparking concerns about the ongoing ceasefire.Brent crude at last look was at US$99.89/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude was at $94.34/barrel. This comes after the U.S. and Iran were reportedly nearing a peace deal to end the war, Reuters said in a Friday report."Price formation is no longer anchored in a pragmatic reading of the war's trajectory or the physical realities in the Strait of Hormuz," Reuters quoted Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights, as saying.U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was still in effect despite the restart of fighting, according to the report."On the supply front, the picture remains tight," IG analyst Tony Sycamore was quoted as saying.

Update: WTI Falls Again on Hopes a Deal to End the Iran War is Near

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell for a third-straight session on Thursday but rose off the day's low on uncertain prospects for a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed down US$0.27 to settle at US$94.81 per barrel, after earlier touching US$89.85. July Brent oil was last seen down US$0.67 to US$100.60The drop, which follows on Wednesday's 7% fall for WTI prices, comes amid rising optimism the United States and Iran are closer to a peace deal. However the outlook for a deal is uncertain. The Guardian reported while U.S. President Trump is saying a deal is "very possible", Iranian media are reporting is only reviewing the proposal and considering its response.There is no certainty talks will result in a deal between the two countries that will see a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for exports from Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of the world's daily oil demand. More than 1,000 ships have been trapped in the Gulf since the Feb. 28 start to the war and supplies of oil, refined products, LNG, fertilizer and other commodities are running short."We should not be too optimistic about immediate agreement. A spokesperson for the Iranian finance ministry pushed back yesterday, calling parts of the US framework "ambitious and unrealistic proposals". So far, Tehran's wish list: set out in its 14-point response on May 2, is unchanged: full sanctions relief, release of frozen state assets, ~$270bn in reparations / reconstruction financing ("only way" to end the conflict), and a new multilateral mechanism for the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) that effectively recognizes Iranian sovereignty over it," Ole Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at SEB Research, wrote.

June WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$0.27; Settles at US$94.81 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Decline Pre-Bell Thursday

Energy stocks were lower premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) retreating by 1.6%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 3.5%, while The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.6% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 4.1% at $91.20 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 3.7% to $97.56 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 1% lower at $2.70 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Shell (SHEL) shares were down nearly 2% in early activity after the company reported lower-than-expected Q1 revenue.Tenaris (TS) shares were 4% lower in premarket activity after the company said its Q2 sales will be affected by lower shipments in the Middle East. Tenaris also named Gabriel Podskubka its chief executive officer.MGE Energy (MGEE) stock was down 4.4% before the opening bell after the company said late Wednesday it has launched an underwritten public offering of $250 million common shares, including about $75 million of shares to be sold directly by the company and roughly $175 million to be sold through forward sale agreements.

Sector Update: Energy

Energy stocks were lower premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) retreating by 1.7%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 4.9%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.8% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 4.1% to $91.20 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil declined 3.7% to $97.56 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 1% lower at $2.70 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Shell (SHEL) shares fell 2.3% in early activity after the company reported lower-than-expected Q1 revenue.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Corporate Earnings, Economic Data Deluge

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.1% higher in Thursday's premarket activity amid a deluge of corporate earnings results and economic data.US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.1% before the start of regular trading.US layoff intentions rose in April, led by the technology sector due to increased use of AI, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported Thursday.US initial jobless claims rose to a level of 200,000 in the week ended May 2 from an upwardly revised 190,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a larger increase to 205,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.Nonfarm productivity rose by 0.8% in Q1 after a downwardly revised 1.6% increase in Q4, above expectations for a 0.6% gain in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:40 am ET, data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed.Construction spending data for February and March will be released at 10 am ET, followed by weekly natural gas stocks at 10:30 am ET.The consumer credit data for March posts at 3 pm ET.Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and New York Fed President John Williams are slated to speak on Thursday.In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 0.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.8% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 1%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was flat.Power Play:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.3%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was flat and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.MDA Space (MDA) stock was up more than 8% before the opening bell after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.1%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) retreated 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) slipped 1.5%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.8% higher.Viatris (VTRS) stock was down more than 3% premarket after gaining 2.8% at the prior close. The company reported higher Q1 financial results and reaffirmed its 2026 guidance.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.4% higher.Carlyle (CG) shares were down more than 3% pre-bell after the company reported lower Q1 after-tax distributable earnings and revenue.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 0.01%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.03% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 0.7%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained 0.03%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.4%.Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) shares were up more than 2% in premarket activity after closing the prior session with a 2.8% rise. Bloomberg reported that Google has proposed changes to how it shows news results in its search engine to avoid further EU competition fines.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.3%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 0.03%, while the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.7%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was 0.6% higher, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) retreated by 0.3%.Tesla (TSLA) shares were up more than 1% pre-bell after Reuters reported the EV maker's China-made electric vehicle sales rose for a sixth consecutive month on a year-over-year basis.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was down 0.9%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was 1.1% lower.Shell (SHEL) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company reported lower-than-expected Q1 revenue.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 3.3% to $91.97 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down by 1% at $2.70 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) fell by 3.3%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.3% lower.Gold futures for May gained by 1.2% to reach $4,748.30 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures advanced by 5.4% to $81.44 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 1% higher, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 4.7%.

Oil Prices Fall Again on Hopes a Deal to End the Iran War is Near

Oil prices fell again early on Thursday on rising hopes a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran will reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, ending the largest-ever oil supply shock.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for June delivery was last seen down US$3.06 to US$92.02 per barrel, while July Brent oil was down US$3.02 to US$98.25.The drop, which follows on Wednesday's 7% fall for WTI prices, comes amid rising optimism the United States and Iran are closer to a peace deal. The Wall Street Journal reported the two countries are working with mediators to come up with a framework to resume negotiations, with talks in Pakistan beginning as soon as next week on a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) offered by the Trump Administration.There is no certainty talks will result in a deal between the two countries that will see a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for exports from Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of the world's daily oil demand. More than 1,000 ships have been trapped in the Gulf since the Feb. 28 start to the war and supplies of oil, refined products, LNG, fertilizer and other commodities are running short.The Guardian reported U.S. President Trump is signaling a deal is "very possible", even as Iranian officials called the MoU an "American wish list"."We should not be too optimistic about immediate agreement. A spokesperson for the Iranian finance ministry pushed back yesterday, calling parts of the US framework "ambitious and unrealistic proposals". So far, Tehran's wish list: set out in its 14-point response on May 2, is unchanged: full sanctions relief, release of frozen state assets, ~$270bn in reparations / reconstruction financing ("only way" to end the conflict), and a new multilateral mechanism for the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) that effectively recognizes Iranian sovereignty over it," Ole Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at SEB Research, wrote.

Brent Crude Down Near 2.2% at Just Over US$99, NY Crude Down 2.25% at Near US$92.90

Crude Oil Prices Drop as Market Hopes for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal

Crude oil prices dropped further on Thursday as the market continues to anticipate a peace deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude at last look fell 2.4% to US$98.86/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude lost 2.5% to $92.67/barrel. Understandings have been reached to ease the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for a gradual reopening of the strait, Reuters said in a Thursday report, citing Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya news agency. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.Iran previously said it was evaluating a U.S. peace proposal that could formally end the war, according to sources, the report said."If a formal deal eventually materialises, oil prices could witness a free fall as geopolitical premiums rapidly evaporate from the market. However, any fresh signs of attacks on oil infrastructure or escalation in the Middle East could easily trigger another parabolic spike in crude prices," Reuters quoted Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, as saying.

Update: WTI Oil Plunges Following Reports the U.S. and Iran May Be Close to a Peace Deal

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil plunged 7% on Wednesday following reports the United States and Iran are close to an agreement to end their war, offering the possibility the Strait of Hormuz could soon reopen.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed down US$7.19 to settle at US$95.08 per barrel after touching US$88.66 in Asian trade, while July Brent oil was last seen down US$9.13 to US$100.74.The drop came as Axios overnight reported the two countries were close to a negotiated deal to end hostilities, which was later confirmed by U.S. President Trump. In a social media post, Trump said the war "will be at an end" and the Strait of Hormuz will reopen to traffic if Iran agrees to a U.S. peace proposal, while threatening to resume bombing if its terms are rejected.Citing Iran's state media, Reuters reported Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is claiming the Strait, the chokepoint for exports from Persian Gulf nations supplying 20% of daily oil demand, could reopen if a deal is reached.Oil prices have climbed by more than half since Iran closed the Strait when the war began on Feb. 28, trapping exports of oil, LNG, fertilizers and other commodities in the Persian Gulf. However an end to the war is unlikely to see a quick return to normal. Iranian attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring countries and restarting production from shut-in oilfields will limit a quick return to pre-war operating levels."If Hormuz were to be reopened, it would take an additional seven months at minimum to fully restore upstream production, assuming no permanent damage and supply chains operate smoothly. A recovery could take longer if there is damage to ports or other transport and loading infrastructure," S&P Global Energy noted.The Energy Information Administration on Wednesday reported another drop in U.S. commercial oil inventories, saying stocks fell by 2.3-million barrels last week, under the consensus estimate for a drop of 3.3-million barrels among analysts polled by Reuters.

June WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$7.19; Settles at US$95.08 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Fall Pre-Bell Wednesday

Energy stocks were lower premarket Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) retreating by 4%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 7.5%, while The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.4% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 10% at $91.80 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 9.6% to $99.34 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 2.5% lower at $2.72 per 1 million British Thermal Units.TotalEnergies (TTE) shares were down more than 4% before the opening bell, reversing the 1.4% gain from the prior session. The company said it signed an agreement with Dell Technologies (DELL) and Nvidia (NVDA) to design and install its next high-performance supercomputer, called Pangea 5, in southern France.Equinor (EQNR) shares were down more than 8% premarket after the company reported lower Q1 revenue.Select Water Solutions (WTTR) stock was up over 4% after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings and revenue.