United States Oil Fund

Sectors100d ago

Brent Crude Now Down 1.5% at About US$116.20, Having Touched Above $126 a Barrel Earlier

Sectors100d ago

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

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.

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Update: WTI Oil Closes Above US$100 With No End to the Iran War in Sight; U.S. Inventories Fall

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed higher on Wednesday, rising for a fourth-straight session as hopes for a coming end to the Iran war and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade, while a report showed an larger than expected drop in U.S. oil inventories.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$6.95 to settle at US$106.88 per barrel, the highest since April 7, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$6.74 to US$118.00.WTI has now climbed 59% since the war began on Feb. 28, when Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supply, following attacks by the United States and Israel. The United States is now blockading Iranian ports and Iran has demanded that be lifted before peace talks can resume, which the U.S. is refusing to do, continuing the largest-ever supply shock."The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz prolongs a disruption that continues to tighten global energy markets ... Traders now focus on the next steps in peace talks and today's US inventory report for further signs of how quickly US stockpiles are falling amid robust export demand," Saxo Bank wrote.In its weekly survey, the Energy Information Administration reported U.S. commercial oil inventories fell by 6.2-million barrels last week, while the consensus estimate among analysts polled by Reuters forecast a drop of 2.2-million barrels.The oil market is also focusing on the Tuesday decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw from the OPEC Cartel. The UAE is OPEC's third-largest producer and the No. 7 global oil exporter. The decision is unlikely to have a near-term effect, given the supply shock, but could add additional supply to the market once the conflict ends."Given the world is currently suffering from a lack of supply due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE's departure doesn't really matter since it is already producing at its maximum capacity. That is the maximum it can export via its pipeline (1.5-1.8 mb/d) to the Gulf of Oman given the closure of the Strait, which is why the UAE's overall output fell to 2.37 mb/d in March (vs. 3.64 mb/d in February). In the longer run, when hopefully the conflict is resolved, it may matter more as the UAE could supply the global oil market with an additional 1.0 mb/d. Moreover, OPEC/OPEC+ is losing one of its most vital members," Art Woo, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, wrote.

June WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$6.95: Settles at US$106.88 per Barrel

U.A.E's OPEC Withdrawal Likely to Begin Lowering Oil Prices by 2027

The decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw from the OPEC cartel on May 1 is unlikely to offer any near-term relief from high oil prices this year, but raises over-supply risks and lower prices beginning as soon as 2027, Woods Mackenzie said on Wednesday.The UAE's move to leave OPEC comes amid its long-standing push to boost production as it chafed under OPEC quotas while spending to boost its potential output. The country is OPEC's No.3 oil producer and the world's No.7 exporter. Removing quota restrictions makes it a powerful competitor to the cartel and could begin returning the market to over-supply once a recovery from the Iran war is complete."As the nation with the second-largest liquids capacity in OPEC, the UAE's exit is momentous. However, it's not entirely surprising as political tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been building over the last few years and have intensified in recent months amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. UAE's departure from OPEC will have minimal impact on market fundamentals in 2026, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Gulf countries, including the UAE, will take months to return to pre-war production volumes. Beyond this year, losing the UAE will compound OPEC's challenge to balance the market and increase the risk of oversupply weakening prices," chief analyst Simon Flowers said in a release.The analytics firm said when the UAE begins competing with OPEC, OPEC+ and other producers for market share next year "challenges OPEC's current policy of unwinding its voluntary cuts. If tensions escalate, competition between the UAE and OPEC for market share could send medium-term oil prices sharply lower".

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$AER$BETH$BITO$EEM$EETH$EXI$FAS$FAZ$GLD$GSK$IBB$IGM$IGV$IPK$IVV$IWM$IYE$IYH$IYJ$IYK$IYW$PMR$PSX$QQQ$RTH$SLV$SOXX$SPY$UBS$UMC$UNG$USO$VDC$VHT$VIS$XLE$XLF$XLI$XLK$XLP$XLV$XLY$XRT$XSD$YUMC

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Pre-Bell Wednesday

Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 1.2%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 3.4% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.4% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 3.7% higher at $103.58 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 3.6% to $115.29 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 2.5% at $2.62 per 1 million British Thermal Units.TotalEnergies (TTE) shares were up 1% after the company posted higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.Phillips 66 (PSX) stock was up more than 1% after the company reported that it swung to Q1 adjusted earnings.Delek US (DK) shares were up more than 4% after the company posted a swing to Q1 adjusted earnings as net revenue increased during the period.

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Commodities101d ago

Exchange-Traded Funds Higher, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Wednesday Ahead of Fed Policy Decision

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.02% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.3% higher in Wednesday's premarket activity, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's policy decision.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.01%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures retreating 0.03%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.3% before the start of regular trading.The US Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee will make its latest policy announcement at 2 pm ET, followed by a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell.Mortgage applications declined in the week ending April 24 after a large increase in the previous week, as mortgage rates rose slightly, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association Wednesday.US housing starts rose to an annual pace of 1.502 million in March, topping forecasts of 1.38 million and increasing from 1.356 million previously.In March, US building permits fell to an annual rate of 1.372 million, missing expectations of 1.39 million and declining from 1.538 million in the prior reading.Durable goods orders rose 0.8% in March, beating expectations for a 0.5% increase and marking a rebound from the previous 1.2% drop.Weekly petroleum stocks data are due to be released at 10:30 am ET, followed by the Atlanta Federal Reserve Survey of Business Uncertainty for April at 11 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 1.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.8% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 1.6%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) retreated by 0.01%.Power Play:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.7%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.5% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.8%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) increased by 1.6%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 1.8%.United Microelectronics (UMC) shares were up more than 8% in Wednesday's premarket activity after the company reported Q1 earnings and revenue.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.7%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.6% lower.UBS Group (UBS) shares were up more than 5% pre-bell after the company reported higher Q1 earnings and revenue.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 down 1.1%.AerCap Holdings (AER) stock was up more than 5% before the opening bell after the company reported higher Q1 revenue.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.4%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) lost 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was flat.GSK (GSK) stock was down more than 4% premarket even after the company reported higher Q1 core earnings and revenue.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.1%, and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) retreated by 0.1%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) advanced 0.5%. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.4%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) gained 0.1%, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was 0.2% lower.Yum China (YUMC) shares were up more than 3% pre-bell after the company reported Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was up 0.9%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 1.2%.Phillips 66 (PSX) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell after the company reported it swung to Q1 adjusted earnings.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose by 3.3% to $103.22 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas retreated by 1.3% to $2.66 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) increased by 3.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.3% lower.Gold futures for May were down by 0.7% at $4,576.40 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures retreated by 0.9% to $73.05 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.6% lower, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 0.6%.

Oil Prices Firm Above US$100 With No End to the Iran War in Sight

Oil prices firmed above US$100 per barrel early on Monday, rising for a fourth-straight session as hopes for a coming end to the Iran war and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade, while a report showed an unexpected drop in U.S. oil inventories.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for June delivery was last seen up US$3.35 to US$103.28 per barrel, the highest since April 7, while June Brent oil was up US$3.45 to US$114.71.WTI has climbed about 49% since the war began on Feb. 28, when Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supply, following attacks by the United States and Israel. The United States is now blockading Iranian ports and Iran has demanded that be lifted before peace talks can resume, which the U.S. is refusing to do, continuing the largest-ever supply shock."The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz prolongs a disruption that continues to tighten global energy markets ... Traders now focus on the next steps in peace talks and today's US inventory report for further signs of how quickly US stockpiles are falling amid robust export demand," Saxo Bank wrote.In its weekly survey, the American Petroleum Institute reported U.S. oil stocks fell by 1.79-million barrels last week, while the consensus estimate expected a rise of 0.3-million barrels, according to Investing.com.The oil market is also focusing on the Tuesday decision by the United Arab Emirates to withdraw from the OPEC Cartel. The UAE is OPEC's third-largest producer and the No. 7 global oil exporter. The decision is likely to have a near-term effect, given the supply shock, but could add additional supply to the market once the conflict ends."Given the world is currently suffering from a lack of supply due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE's departure doesn't really matter since it is already producing at its maximum capacity. That is the maximum it can export via its pipeline (1.5-1.8 mb/d) to the Gulf of Oman given the closure of the Strait, which is why the UAE's overall output fell to 2.37 mb/d in March (vs. 3.64 mb/d in February). In the longer run, when hopefully the conflict is resolved, it may matter more as the UAE could supply the global oil market with an additional 1.0 mb/d. Moreover, OPEC/OPEC+ is losing one of its most vital members," Art Woo, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, wrote.

Crude Oil Prices Continue Rising as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked, Commerzbank Says

Crude oil prices remain on an upward trajectory as the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been opened despite a halt in hostilities, as the situation has worsened due to the U.S. naval blockade against Iran, Commerzbank said in a Tuesday note.Talks between the U.S. and Iran have also come at a standstill, with a new offer from Iran to open the strait unlikely to be considered acceptable by the U.S., the bank noted. Iran is demanding an end to the blockade and the postponement of talks on the nuclear program.Concerns are also growing about a prolonged supply shortage in the oil market. This is also evident in the widening of time spreads, or the price differences between the various contract maturities along with Brent futures curve, according to Commerzbank.The spread between the nearest-month and the next-month Brent futures contracts is once again just under US$7, while the spread between the nearest-month and the seven-month contract is more than $20. These are the highest price premiums for oil available for immediate delivery in three weeks, the bank said.

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Brent Crude Up 3.15% at Near US$114.75

Crude Oil Prices Surge as U.S. Plans to Extend Iran Blockade, Fueling Supply Worries

Crude oil prices jumped on Wednesday, with Brent crude reaching a one-month high, amid reports that the U.S. plans to extend its blockade of Iranian ports.Brent crude at last look surged 3.2% to US$114.76/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 3.5% to $103.40/barrel. U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade, Reuters said in a Wednesday report, citing The Wall Street Journal.The move will prolong supply disruptions in the Middle East despite a ceasefire in the war with Iran, as talks to end the war have stalled, the report said."The recent rise in oil prices has been driven by the Strait blockade. If Trump is prepared to extend the blockade, supply disruptions would worsen further and continue to push oil prices higher," Reuters quoted Yang An, an analyst at Haitong Futures, as saying.Investors are also digesting market impacts of the United Arab Emirates' announcement to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to the report. However, analysts do not see major near-term impacts so far."The United Arab Emirates' exit from OPEC+ formalises the organisations weaker cohesion, but the near-term impact is limited," Reuters quoted an ANZ Research note as saying. "The move reflects long-standing quota tensions, but prices are still being driven more by geopolitics, inventories and logistics than by institutional changes."

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Update: WTI Rises as Progress on Ending the Iran War Stalls; the UAE Ends Its OPEC Membership

(Updates prices and adds UAE's Withdrawal from OPEC in the final two paragraphs.)West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed higher on Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark price flirting with the US$100 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as hopes for an end to the war on Iran fade and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed up US$3.56 to settle at US$99.93 per barrel as it failed to hold the US$100 mark it topped during the session, while June Brent oil was last seen up US$2.58 to US$110.81.Weekend talks expected to be held in Pakistan between Iran and the United States failed to take place, while a Monday proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting a U.S. blockade of its ports and deferring talks over its nuclear program was rejected by President Trump.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The Strait is the chokepoint for 20% of daily global oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations and its closure has produced the largest-ever supply shock, pushing up oil prices by 49% since the start of the war."Oil extended its rally ... amid no signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where US and Iranian blockades have reduced daily transits to near zero. Warnings over the severity of the global supply squeeze continue to intensify, with tightness in refined fuel markets already pushing diesel and jet fuel prices toward USD 200 per barrel," Saxo Bank noted.The closure of the Strait has pushed up spot price for oil, as the Asian nations that rely on Gulf producers compete for available barrels. Rising prices have heightened inflation and raises the risk of a global recession as the lack of supply forces demand destruction and chokes off economic growth."Alarm bells will ring loudly if the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) doesn't reopen during May. Spot crude and product prices will trade higher and higher. And if a decent reopening doesn't take place before June/July, then the risk is significant for a real crisis where the world may be forced to reduce its oil consumption closer to the level of availability," Bjarne Schieldrop, chief analyst commodities at SEB Research, wrote.Also on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates, the No.3 OPEC producer and the No.7 global oil exporter, said it will withdraw from OPEC on May 1, freeing itself from the cartel's quota system that restricted its output well below its production capacity."We reaffirm our appreciation for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance and wish them success. During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets," the country's government said in a release.

April WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$3.56; Settles at US$99.93 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Higher Pre-Bell Tuesday

Energy stocks were higher premarket Tuesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) gaining 1.4%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) rose 3.9%, while The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.1% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 4.4% at $100.56 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 3.5% to $112.06 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 0.9% lower at $2.53 per 1 million British Thermal Units.BP (BP) stock was more than 2% higher before the opening bell after the company reported higher Q1 underlying replacement cost profit and sales.Shell (SHEL) shares were 2% higher in premarket activity after the company agreed to acquire Canadian energy firm ARC Resources in a transaction valued at about $16.17 billion.Petrobras (PBR) stock rose 1% before the opening bell after the company agreed to acquire 100% of a portion of the Argonauta Field in the Campos Basin, which is currently owned by Shell (SHEL), ONGC, and Brava, for 700 million Brazilian reais ($140.1 million) and $150 million in cash.

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Market Chatter: United Arab Emirates Says It Will Leave OPEC Effective May 1

The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that it will leave the oil cartel OPEC and its wider OPEC+ group effective May 1, a move rumored for some time as the Emirates chaffed under production restrictions and increasingly had frostier relations with neighboring Saudi Arabia, The Associated Press is reporting.The UAE had been a longtime member of OPEC, first through its emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1967 and later when the UAE became its own country in 1971, the report notes.But the UAE has been increasingly trying to leverage its own foreign policy in the Middle East that has contradicted some positions of Riyadh over time -- particularly as Saudi Arabia began to directly challenge the Emirates in trying to draw foreign investments as the kingdom opened up under assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the report says.The UAE made the announcement via its state-run WAM news agency. "This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets," the UAE said."Following its exit, the UAE will continue to act responsibly, bringing additional production to market in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions," it added.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally, and/or from other media sources. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Equities102d ago

Sector Update: Energy

Energy stocks were higher premarket Tuesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) gaining 1.4%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) rose 3.3%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 3.5% to $99.66 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 2.4% to $104.20 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 0.6% lower at $2.71 per 1 million British Thermal Units.BP (BP) stock was more than 2% higher before the opening bell after the company reported higher Q1 underlying replacement cost profit and sales.

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United Arab Emirates Says It Will Leave OPEC Effective May 1 ,The Associated Press is reporting

Oil Prices Jump as Progress on Ending the Iran War Stalls

Oil prices were sharply higher early on Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark price rising back above US$100 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as hopes for an end to the war on Iran fade and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for June delivery was last seen up US$4.94 to US$101.31 per barrel, the highest since April 7, while June Brent oil was up US$3.66 to US$111.89.Weekend talks expected to be held in Pakistan between Iran and the United States failed to take place, while a Monday proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting a U.S. blockade of its ports and deferring talks over its nuclear program was rejected by President Trump.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The Strait is the chokepoint for 20% of daily global oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations and its closure has produced the largest-ever supply shock, pushing up oil prices by 44% since the start of the war."Oil extended its rally ... amid no signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where US and Iranian blockades have reduced daily transits to near zero. Warnings over the severity of the global supply squeeze continue to intensify, with tightness in refined fuel markets already pushing diesel and jet fuel prices toward USD 200 per barrel," Saxo Bank noted.The closure of the Strait has pushed up spot price for oil, as the Asian nations that rely on Gulf producers compete for available barrels. Rising prices have heightened inflation and raises the risk of a global recession as the lack of supply forces demand destruction and chokes off economic growth."Alarm bells will ring loudly if the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) doesn't reopen during May. Spot crude and product prices will trade higher and higher. And if a decent reopening doesn't take place before June/July, then the risk is significant for a real crisis where the world may be forced to reduce its oil consumption closer to the level of availability," Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities at SEB Research, wrote.