United States Oil Fund

NY Crude Up 2% at Near US$96.30 and Brent Crude Up 2.2% at Near US$107.60

Brent Crude Up 2.4% at Near US$107.90 As US-Iran Peace Talks Stall

Crude Oil Prices Rise on Stalled U.S.-Iran Peace Talks

Crude oil prices rose on Monday as talks to end the war between the U.S. and Iran remain frozen and flows through the crucial Strait of Hormuz continue to be disrupted.Brent crude at last look gained 2.7% to US$108.17/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 2.4% to $96.63/barrel. The U.S. and Iran appear to still be far apart on issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and the reopening of the strait, Reuters said in a Monday report."The diplomatic stand-off means that every day 10-13 million barrels of oil fail to get to the international market, worsening an already tight oil balance. Therefore, there is only one direction for oil prices to go," Reuters quoted PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga as saying.Goldman Sachs raised its fourth-quarter oil price forecasts to $90/barrel for Brent and $83/barrel for WTI, citing reduced output from the Middle East, the report said.

Update: WTI Oil Falls as a Report Says Peace Talks Between the U.S. and Iran May Resume

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell on Friday following a report that said Pakistani officials expect another round of talks between the United States and Iran.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed down US$1.45 to settle at US$94.40 per barrel, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$0.15 to US$105.22.Bloomberg News reported Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a team of negotiators are expected to arrive in Islamabad late on Friday for talks with a U.S. delegation already in place. The Wall Street Journal said U.S negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel the Pakistan capital for the talks that could re-open the Strait of Hormuz.The Strait is the chokepoint for exports from Persian Gulf nations, which supplied 20% of daily oil demand prior to the Feb. 28 start to the war, which also trapped shipments of of diesel and jet fuel, as well as petrochemical feedstocks and fertilizers."What began as a crude oil supply shock linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has now broadened into a multi-commodity disruption. The implications are no longer confined to energy markets alone but are spreading into industrial production, transportation, and ultimately agriculture and food price," Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, wrote.Still, a quick end to the war is unlikely to produce a quick end the largest-ever energy supply shock. The U.S. Pentagon on Thursday warned it may take six months to clear mines laid in the Strait, the Washington Post reported on Thursday."That is a completely different timescale from what the financial market is pricing. Even a political deal tomorrow does not immediately reopen the strait," Ole Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at SEB Research, wrote.

June WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$1.45; Settles at US$94.40 per Barrel

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 0.8%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 1.4% and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.5% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.4% lower at $95.45 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.2% to reach $105.28 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1% at $2.67 per 1 million British Thermal Units.SLB (SLB) shares were down more than 1% after the company reported lower Q1 adjusted earnings.Eni (E) stock was 0.2% lower after the company posted a decline in Q1 net profit.TotalEnergies (TTE) has secured financing for its Mirny onshore wind and battery energy storage system project in southeast Kazakhstan, the company said. TotalEnergies shares were marginally lower premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds Rise, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell as Traders Assess Tech Earnings Amid Global Uncertainty

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.4% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 1.3% higher in Friday's premarket activity as investors assess technology companies' earnings while global uncertainty persists amid the Middle East conflict.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.4%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 1.3% before the start of regular trading.The University of Michigan consumer sentiment report for the current month is scheduled to be released at 10 am ET, while the weekly Baker Hughes domestic oil-and-gas rig count is due at 1 pm ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 0.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.6% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 0.6%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.02%.Power Play:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.5%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was 0.1% lower. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.5% higher.Organon (OGN) shares were up 29% in Friday's premarket activity, a day after a media report that India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries was planning a $13 billion bid for Organon.Winners and Losers:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 2.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.7% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 2.3%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was 4.2% higher, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 4.1%.Intel (INTC) stock was 28% higher pre-bell Friday after the company reported overnight higher fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue in addition to providing fiscal Q2 outlook that surpassed analyst estimates.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.1% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 0.1%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was 0.04% higher and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained 0.8%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were flat.Coursera (COUR) stock was 16% lower before the opening bell on Friday after the company reported overnight lower Q1 non-GAAP earnings that also trailed analysts' estimates.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) slipped 0.4%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.9%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.1% higher.Hartford Insurance Group (HIG) shares were down 4.4% before Friday's bell, a day after the company posted lower-than-expected Q1 core earnings and revenue.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) retreated by 1%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 1.1%.SLB (SLB) shares were down 3.7% before Friday's bell after the company posted lower Q1 adjusted earnings.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.7%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was 0.2% lower and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.Norfolk Southern (NSC) shares were down 1.1% before the opening bell Friday after the company reported lower Q1 adjusted EPS.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 1.3% to $94.63 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas declined by 2.4% to $2.70 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) decreased by 1.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.7% lower.Gold futures for May were down by 0.1% at $4,721.50 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained by 0.9% to reach $76.17 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.4% higher, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) advanced by 0.5%.

Oil Prices Fall as a Report Says Peace Talks Between the U.S. and Iran May Resume

Oil prices fell early on Friday following a report that said Pakistani officials expect another round of talks between the United States and Iran.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for May delivery was last seen down US$1.07 to US$94.78 per barrel, while May Brent oil fell US$0.42 to US$104.65.Bloomberg News reported Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a team of negotiators are expected to arrive in Islamabad late on Friday for talks with a U.S. delegation already in place. The report sent prices down from overnight highs on hopes a potential deal that would reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz.The Strait is the chokepoint for exports from Persian Gulf nations, which supplied 20% of daily oil demand prior to the Feb. 28 start to the war, which also trapped shipments of of diesel and jet fuel, as well as petrochemical feedstocks and fertilizers."What began as a crude oil supply shock linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has now broadened into a multi-commodity disruption. The implications are no longer confined to energy markets alone but are spreading into industrial production, transportation, and ultimately agriculture and food price," Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, wrote.Still, a quick end to the war is unlikely to produce a quick end the largest-ever energy supply shock. The U.S. Pentagon on Thursday warned it may take six months to clear mines laid in the Strait, the Washington Post reported on Thursday."That is a completely different timescale from what the financial market is pricing. Even a political deal tomorrow does not immediately reopen the strait," Ole Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at SEB Research, wrote.

Brent Crude Now Down 1.5% at Near US$103.50 and NY Crude Down Near 2.2% at Near US$93.80 As Pakistan Officials Say Second Round of U.S. and Iran Talks Expected

Brent Crude Up 2.1% at Near US$107.30 and NY Crude Up 1.9% at US$97.65

Update: WTI Oil Closes Higher as the Prospects for a Peace Deal in the Iran War Stall

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed highe on Thursday with the United States and Iran making little progress to end a war that has produced the largest-ever supply shock with shipments from the Persian Gulf region barred from the Strait of Hormuz.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$2.89 to settle at US$95.85 per barrel, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$3.07 to US$104.98.The United States and Iran remain at an impasse, with Iran refusing to negotiate as long as the U.S. Navy continues to blockade its ports, while the U.S. refuses to lift the blockade. Iran is attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for 20% of the world's daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations, while reports say U.S. forces are boarding Iranian ships in the Indian Ocean."The Iranian leadership had made the lifting of the US blockade a precondition for the resumption of negotiations, with a senior official calling it an act of military aggression. President Trump for his part has indicated that the ceasefire will remain in place for now, leaving the conflict in a no airstrike, minimal movement of ships, unsustainable equilibrium," Helima Croft, Head of Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research wrote.WTI oil is up 43% since the Feb. 28 start to the war, but has retreated below the four-year high of US$112.95 touched on April 7 on hopes for a coming end to the conflict. However should traders expect the current impasse between the two sides to stretch out, prices could retest that four-year high."Trump has been touting that a deal with Iran is imminent through most of April. But a deal now looks increasingly elusive. Poly market bets in the US for when the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) will reopen have declined sharply over the past week. Bets on a reopening by 13 May has declined 27% since last Friday to now only 39%. Expectations for when the SoH will reopen is sliding rapidly into the future. That implies a higher oil price," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst commodities at SEB Research wrote.

May WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$2.89; Settles at US$95.85 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Premarket Thursday

Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 0.4%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1.1% and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.4% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.3% higher at $93.20 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.2% to reach $102.06 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.8% at $2.67 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) and Hornbeck Offshore Services have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company. Shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group were up more than 5% pre-bell.Sasol (SSL) said it now expects fiscal 2026 fuel sales volume growth of 10% to 15% year-over-year, up from previous guidance of 5% to 10%. Sasol shares were down more than 2% premarket.Apollo Global Management (APO) said Thursday it has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in Pembina Gas Infrastructure from KKR (KKR). Pembina Pipeline (PBA) shares were nearly 2% higher pre-bell.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Stalled US-Iran Talks

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 0.2% lower in Thursday's premarket activity as talks between the US and Iran stalled amid a continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.4%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.6%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.4% before the start of regular trading.US initial jobless claims totaled 214,000, compared with expectations of 210,000 and a prior reading of 208,000.The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index fell to a reading of minus 0.20 in March from 0.03 in February, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to minus 0.13 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.S&P Global flash estimates of manufacturing and services conditions for April will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by weekly natural gas stocks at 10:30 am ET.The Kansas City Fed's manufacturing reading for April will be released at 11 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 1.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.7% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 3.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.02%.Power Play:EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 0.03%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.4%.Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) stock was up more than 8% before the opening bell after the company agreed to merge with Hornbeck Offshore Services in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.04%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) declined by 1.2%.Sanofi (SNY) stock was up more than 3% premarket after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and sales.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.1% lower.KB Financial Group (KB) shares were up more than 2% pre-bell after the company reported higher Q1 earnings and revenue.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.04%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.7% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was down 0.4%.Union Pacific (UNP) stock was up more than 2% before the opening bell after the company reported Q1 earnings and operating revenue.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.1% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was down 0.3%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Tesla (TSLA) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after the company overnight reported Q1 results, with investors focused on its outsized capital expenditure outlook.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was flat, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 0.9%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was 0.04% higher, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.9%.Intel (INTC) shares were up more than 1% in Thursday's premarket activity after Tesla (TSLA) Chief Executive Elon Musk said he intends to use Intel's upcoming 14A process to make chips at its Terafab advanced artificial intelligence project in Austin, Texas.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil advanced by 0.2% to $93.17 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained by 0.1% to reach $2.73 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) increased by 0.1%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.4% lower.Gold futures for May were down by 0.4% at $4,734.40 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures retreated by 3.1% to $76.11 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.3% lower, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 1.8%.

Oil Edges Higher as the Prospect for a Peace Deal in the Iran War Stalls

Oil edged higher early on Thursday with the United States and Iran making little progress to end a war that has produced the largest-ever supply shock with shipments from the Persian Gulf region barred from the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for June delivery was last seen up US$0.33 to US$93.29 per barrel, while June Brent oil was up US$0.50 to US$102.41.The United States and Iran remain at an impasse, with Iran refusing to negotiate as long as the U.S. Navy continues to blockade its ports, while the U.S. refuses to lift the blockade. Iran is attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for 20% of the world's daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations, while reports say U.S. forces are boarding Iranian ships in the Indian Ocean."The Iranian leadership had made the lifting of the US blockade a precondition for the resumption of negotiations, with a senior official calling it an act of military aggression. President Trump for his part has indicated that the ceasefire will remain in place for now, leaving the conflict in a no airstrike, minimal movement of ships, unsustainable equilibrium," Helima Croft, Head of Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research wrote.WTI oil is up 37% since the Feb. 28 start to the war, but has retreated below the four-year high of US$112.95 touched on April 7 on hopes for a coming end to the conflict. However should traders expect the current impasse between the two sides to stretch out, prices could retests that four-year high."Trump has been touting that a deal with Iran is imminent through most of April. But a deal now looks increasingly elusive. Poly market bets in the US for when the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) will reopen have declined sharply over the past week. Bets on a reopening by 13 May has declined 27% since last Friday to now only 39%. Expectations for when the SoH will reopen is sliding rapidly into the future. That implies a higher oil price," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst commodities at SEB Research wrote.

Brent Crude Up 1.1% at US$103 and NY Crude Up 1.15% at Near US$94

Brent Crude Up 1.75% at US$103.70

Crude Oil Prices Climb as Shipping Remains Blocked in Strait of Hormuz

Crude oil prices rose on Thursday amid a lack of progress in efforts to end the war in the Middle East, with shipping disruptions remaining in the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude at last look gained 1.8% to US$103.69/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.8% to $94.62/barrel. This comes after larger-than-expected gasoline and distillate stock draws in the U.S. and continued restrictions in the strait despite an extended ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, Reuters said in a Thursday report."The oil market is repricing expectations with little sign of progress in finding a resolution in the Persian Gulf," Reuters quoted ING analysts as saying in a note.Iran on Wednesday seized two ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. is maintaining its blockade of Iran's trade by sea, suggesting continuing disruptions to shipments, analysts said, according to the report.

Update: WTI Oil Moves Higher as the U.S. Extends Its Ceasefire While Iran Continues to Refuses To Talk

West Texas Intermediate (WTO) crude oil rose Wednesday after the United States extended a ceasefire with Iran while continuing to blockade the country's ports, and as Iran attacked ships in the Persian Gulf while rejecting talks with the U.S. until the blockade is lifted.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$3.29 to settle at US$92.96 per barrel, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$3.65 to US$102.13.Oil markets continue to react to developments in the U.S. war on Iran, which has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, trapping shipments from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of daily oil demand. While U.S. President Trump on Tuesday extended a ceasefire for attacks on the country, he refused to lift a blockade on Iran's ports. Iran has made lifting the blockade a key demand for resuming negotiations to end the war."Oil prices continue to whipsaw ... after Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, even as peace talks remain on hold due to Tehran's refusal to negotiate while the US maintains its naval blockade ... the result is a continued and severe, and potentially growing, disruption to flows, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed," Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, wrote.Despite the U.S. ceasefire, Iran attacked three ships on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported, while U.S. forces boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean.In its weekly report, the Energy Information Administration said U.S. commercial crude oil inventories rose by 1.9-million barrels last week, while inventories of gasoline and distillates fell.

June WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$3.29; Settles at US$92.96 per Barrel