$USO

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance Pre-Bell Friday

Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Friday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) up 0.2%The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 0.9% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.8% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.2% lower at $91.90 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 0.9% to $94.16 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.2% at $3.30 per 1 million British Thermal Units.BP (BP) agreed to subscribe for 10 million British Pounds ($13.5 million) in convertible loan notes and secure exclusive crude oil marketing rights in new agreements, Coastal Africa Group said. BP stock was 0.5% lower premarket.Eni (E) has signed a petroleum exploration, development and production license agreement with the government of Gambia for the block A1 offshore the republic, the company said. Shares of Eni were down 0.1% pre-bell.

Exchange-Traded Funds Lower, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Friday After May Jobs Report

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.5%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated by 1.3% in Friday's premarket activity, after the May jobs report.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.5%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gaining 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 1% before the start of regular trading.US nonfarm payrolls increased by 172,000 in May, exceeding expectations for an 88,000 gain, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3% and average hourly earnings rose 0.3%, in line with forecasts.The weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count posts at 1 pm.April's consumer credit data is scheduled for a 3:00 pm ET release.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 1.8%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 5.8%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was flat.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) gained by 0.2%, and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 0.3%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.2%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) advanced by 0.1%.Lululemon Athletica (LULU) shares were down more than 11% pre-bell after multiple analysts cut their price targets following the athletic apparel retailer's lowering of its full-year outlook amid weak sales trends.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.8%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) retreated by 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) slipped 0.7%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was flat.Cooper (COO) was up by nearly 8% premarket after the company reported higher fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue late Thursday.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.5% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.CAE (CAE) gained by nearly 3% before the opening bell. The company said it has received regulatory approval for the renewal of its normal course issuer bid to purchase, for cancellation, up to about 16.1 million common shares, or about 5% of its outstanding share capital as of May 29.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 0.4% lower.Affirm (AFRM) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after closing the prior session with a 3.7% gain. Affirm and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board said Thursday that they renewed and expanded their forward-flow agreement for consumer installment loans.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 1.8%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.1% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.7%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was down 1.7%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 3%.Nvidia (NVDA) shares were down 1.8% in premarket activity after ending Thursday's session with a 1.8% increase. Multiple media outlets reported Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang as saying that the company cleared Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology to supply advanced high-bandwidth memory for its HBM4 artificial intelligence accelerators.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was up 0.3%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was 0.2% higher.X-Energy (XE) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell a day after the company reported total Q1 revenues and grant income of $43.4 million, representing a 109% increase compared to the prior-year period.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 0.2% to $92.87 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down 0.9% to $3.31 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) fell by 0.3%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.7% lower.Gold futures for July retreated by 0.3% to $4,492.60 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures declined by 1.4% to $72.91 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was down by 0.2%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) decreased by 1.5%.

Oil Edges Lower Even as Israel Continues Striking Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Deal

Oil prices edged lower early on Friday with little change in the outlook for a settlement to the U.S. war on Iran as Israel continued strikes at Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the country a day earlier.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$0.33 to US$92.71 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down US$0.44 to US$94.59.Oil fell more than 3% on Thursday after reports Israel and Lebanon agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key Strait has been closed since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, blocking the 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations.Peace talks between the United States and Iran that could open the waterway have been stalled and a ceasefire was tested earlier this week as the two sides traded strikes. The Israel-Lebanon agreement was seen as a potential avenue to reopening negotiations, however Al Jazeera on Friday reported Israel is continuing attacks in Lebanon, raising doubts the deal will hold, while Iran on Friday fired warning strikes at U.S. warships.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank said in a Thursday note.

Update: WTI Falls as Israel and Lebanon Reach a Ceasefire Deal, Easing the Way to a Potential U.S.-Iran Truce

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed down 3.1% on Thursday as Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.WTI crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$2.98 to settle at US$93.04 per barrel, while August Brent oil was last seen down US$3.53 to US$94.28.Reuters reported Israel and Lebanon's truce agreement is contingent on the evacuation of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants leaving southern Lebanon and ending its fight against Israel, which has taken control of the country's south.The deal may raise the odds of the United States and Iran will come to an agreement to end their war, which is now in its fourth month and flared up again this week. Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off most oil exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily demand.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank noted.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$2.98; Settles at US$93.04 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Lean Lower Premarket Thursday

Energy stocks were leaning lower premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) declining by 0.8%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 3.2% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 3.7% lower at $92.51 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 3.1% to $94.77 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 2.5% at $3.29 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Expro Group (XPRO) shares were up more than 1% after the company said it has filed its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its proposed move to redomicile in the Cayman Islands from the Netherlands.TransAlta (TAC) said it has agreed to buy two natural gas-fired peaking facilities in Colorado from Blackstone units in a $1.0 billion deal, including $750 million of debt. TransAlta stock was down more than 5% premarket.DHT (DHT) secured a new $250 million revolving credit facility to strengthen financial flexibility and lengthen its debt maturity schedule, the company said. DHT shares were 0.1% lower pre-bell.

Exchange-Traded Funds Lower, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Thursday as Investors Weigh Economic Data

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.4%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) fell by 1.2% in Thursday's premarket activity, as investors weighed economic data amid corporate earnings.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.5%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gaining 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 1.3% before the start of regular trading.US employers announced 97,006 planned job cuts in May, the highest total for the month since 2020, driven largely by reductions in the technology sector, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Thursday.US initial jobless claims rose to 225,000, above expectations of 215,000 and up from 212,000 in the prior week.US nonfarm productivity growth for the first quarter was revised down to an annualized rate of 0.3% from a preliminary estimate of 0.8%, falling short of expectations for a 0.4% increase, while unit labor cost growth was revised down to 1.8% from 2.3%, below forecasts of a 2.4% gain.Weekly natural gas stocks are due to be released at 10:30 am ET.Federal Reserve Richmond President Thomas Barkin and San Francisco President Mary Daly are slated to speak on Thursday.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 4.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 4.4% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 3.5%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 3%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 1.5%, and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) gained 1.4%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was 0.8% higher. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) advanced by 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was down 0.5%.LGI Homes (LGIH) shares were down more than 4% pre-bell after falling 5% at the prior close. The company said late Wednesday that it closed 498 homes in May, compared with 416 homes a year earlier.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 1.5%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 1.2%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was flat. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 1% higher.BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) stock was down more than 3% premarket after the company said late Wednesday it has priced a secondary offering by certain shareholders of 15 million shares at $58.75 per share.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.8%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was flat and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was up 1%.X-Energy (XE) stock was down more than 3% before the opening bell after the company reported a wider Q1 net loss.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 2.3%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.6% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 2.7%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) fell by 3.8%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) declined by 4.3%.Accenture (ACN) shares were up more than 2% in premarket activity after the company agreed to a deal to embed AI and digital technologies in the operations of Tokyo Electric Power subsidiary TEPCO Solution Advance.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 0.1%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 0.7%.Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said it has begun producing renewable natural gas at its East Valley Dairy facility in Jerome, Idaho, its eighth dairy RNG project.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 2.8%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 3% lower.Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) shares were up more than 1% pre-bell after the insurance broker and certain units signed a new $4.25 billion multi-currency unsecured five-year revolving credit facility with Citibank (C).CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 3.7% to $92.46 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 1.2% to $3.25 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) fell by 3.9%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.1% higher.Gold futures for July gained by 1.6% to $4,539.90 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures advanced by 1.5% to $74.77 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was up by 1.1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) increased by 1.3%.

Oil Prices Fall as Israel and Lebanon Reach a Ceasefire Deal, Easing the Way to a Potential U.S.-Iran Truce

Oil prices retreated early on Thursday as Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire, one of Iran's key demands for agreeing for a deal of its own to end the war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down US$2.98 to US$93.04 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down US$2.97 to US$94.84.Reuters reported Israel and Lebanon's truce agreement is contingent on the evacuation of Iran-backed Hezbollah militants leaving southern Lebanon and ending its fight against Israel, which has taken control of the country's south.The deal may raise the odds of the United States and Iran will come to an agreement to end their war, which is now in its fourth month and flared up again this week. Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off most oil exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily demand.The lack of Persian Gulf supply has left the Asian nations struggling to replace the lost barrels, while U.S. exports have surged, cutting into its inventories."Crude oil trades softer but remains near the upper end of Brent's recent USD 90-100 range after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement. The move follows another day of US and Iranian military action across the region. While flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted, global supply buffers continue to shrink. In the US, a sixth consecutive weekly inventory draw saw stockpiles at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI futures, fall to 22.4 million barrels, edging closer to levels widely considered near the operational minimum," Saxo Bank noted.

Market Chatter: Oil Falls After Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Even as Clashes Persist

Oil fell as a conditional ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon offered to ease the way toward a US-Iran peace deal, even as the truce was marred by ongoing clashes, Bloomberg reported Thursday.Brent futures retreated 2.2% below US$96 a barrel in thin trading volumes, snapping three days of gains in London. Still, Iran said there had been no recent progress in talks with the US over an interim peace deal, while fighting persisted in Lebanon despite Washington's declaration of a ceasefire subject to Tehran-backed Hezbollah stopping hostilities.Washington and Tehran have sketched out a framework to extend their truce by two months and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but negotiations are stalling and sporadic fighting has resumed. Iran insists a deal with the US requires a ceasefire in Lebanon but Trump said he'd like to keep the two separate.(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.)

Brent Crude Down 2% at Near US$95.80

Update: WTI Oil Rises Again as the United States and Iran Trade Strikes

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose for a third day on Wednesday as the ceasefire between Iran and the United States appeared to fracture as the two sides exchanged strikes, lowering hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.WTI oil for July delivery closed up US$2.26 to settle at US$96.02 per barrel,, while August Brent oil was last seen up US$1.88 to US$97.88.The Wall Street Journal reported Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain and the United States attacked Iran's military ground control stations on Qeshm Island and struck at an empty oil tanker attempting to run its blockade of Iranian ports and load oil at Iran's Kharg Island.The strikes are lowering hopes for an end to the war that is now in its fourth month. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on Feb. 28 has shut in most exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily oil demand. While U.S. President Trump has claimed a deal to end the war is near, Iran on Monday said it is refusing further talks until Israel ends its attacks ol Lebanon."Crude oil is trading higher for a third consecutive session, with Brent pushing above USD 97 as market pessimism once again grows over the prospects of a US-Iran deal that could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation saw US forces intercept Iranian missiles and drones before striking an Iranian command center in response. For now, the risk premium continues to be partly offset by President Trump's repeated insistence that an interim agreement remains within reach," Saxo Bank noted.Dwindling U.S. inventories are also supporting prices. In its weekly survey, the Energy Information Administration reported U.S. commercial oil inventories fell by eight-million barrels last week, double the consensus estimate among analysts polled by Reuters for a four-million barrel drop.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$2.26, Settles at US$96.02 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance Premarket Wednesday

Energy stocks were advancing premarket Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 0.7% higher.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1.6% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.4% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.7% higher at $95.38 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 1.6% to $97.57 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 0.2% at $3.16 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Obsidian Energy (OBE) stock was up more than 1% after the company said it has agreed to acquire Belly River light oil assets in the Wilson Creek area of Willesden Green from Highwood Asset Management for an unadjusted purchase price of 105 million Canadian dollars ($75.8 million).OPAL Fuels (OPAL) and GFL Environmental (GFL) said construction is advancing on two renewable natural gas facilities at the Stones Throw Landfill in Alabama and the Grady Road Landfill in Georgia. Shares of OPAL Fuels were up more than 2% pre-bell.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Wednesday Amid Fresh Economic Signals

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) advanced 0.5% in Wednesday's premarket activity, as markets traded mixed amid caution about fresh employment and inflation indicators.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.2% before the start of regular trading.US mortgage applications fell 2.5% in the week ended May 29, extending the prior week's decline despite lower 30-year mortgage rates, Mortgage Bankers Association data showed Wednesday.US private-sector employment increased by 122,000 jobs in May, slightly exceeding expectations, with hiring led by education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, and construction, ADP data showed Wednesday.The May purchasing managers' index composite final report from S&P Global will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the Institute for Supply Management's services survey for May at 10:00 am ET.Factory orders data for April are scheduled to be released at 10:00 am ET, followed by the weekly oil stocks data at 10:30 am ET.Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan are due to speak on Wednesday.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 0.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.5% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 1.8%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) gained 0.01%.Power Play:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.5%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 1.3%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.1% higher.Blackstone (BX) shares were down more than 5% pre-bell after Bloomberg reported the company is mulling the sale of payments services provider, SP.LINKS, looking to fetch about 100 billion Japanese yen ($626 million) from the transaction.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.3%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.01% lower.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.4% 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) gained 1.5%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 2%.Sprinklr (CXM) shares were down more than 5% in premarket activity after the company reported lower fiscal Q1 non-GAAP earnings.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) declined by 0.5%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.7% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.T1 Energy (TE) stock was up 3% before the opening bell after the company said it had agreed to acquire Kore Power in a deal valued at $32 million in equity, cash, and assumed debt.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.02% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was down 0.4%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was flat. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.2%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) decreased by 0.8%.Ferrari (RACE) shares were down 1% pre-bell after closing the prior day with a 1.3% rise. The vehicle maker said Wednesday it has signed a multi-year contract extension with Charles Leclerc.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was up 0.7%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.6%.BP (BP) stock was up more than 1% before market open, following a 1% gain in the previous session. The Financial Times reported Tuesday that the company held advanced talks to sell its UK North Sea assets to Ithaca Energy in a nearly 2 billion British pounds ($2.7 billion) deal, though negotiations failed in recent weeks, with the oil major still exploring a sale to other potential buyers.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 2.2% to $95.82 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 0.3% to $3.18 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) rose by 2.7%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.4% higher.Gold futures for July retreated by 0.7% to $4,488.90 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures declined by 1.2% to $74.66 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was down by 0.5%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) decreased by 1%.

Oil Rises Again as the United States and Iran Trade Strikes

Oil prices rose for a third day early on Wednesday as the ceasefire between Iran and the United States appeared to fracture as the two sides exchanged strikes, lowering hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$1.92 per barrel, while August Brent oil was up US$2.09 to US$98.09.The Wall Street Journal reported Iran launched attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain and the United States attacked Iran's military ground control stations on Qeshm Island and struck at an empty oil tanker attempting to run its blockade of Iranian ports and load oil at Iran's Kharg Island.The strikes are lowering hopes for an end to the war that is now in its fourth month. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on Feb. 28 has shut in most exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied a fifth of daily oil demand. While U.S. President Trump has claimed a deal to end the war is near, Iran on Monday said it is refusing further talks until Israel ends its attacks ol Lebanon."Crude oil is trading higher for a third consecutive session, with Brent pushing above USD 97 as market pessimism once again grows over the prospects of a US-Iran deal that could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation saw US forces intercept Iranian missiles and drones before striking an Iranian command center in response. For now, the risk premium continues to be partly offset by President Trump's repeated insistence that an interim agreement remains within reach," Saxo Bank noted.Dwindling U.S. inventories are also supporting prices. In its weekly survey, the American Petroleum Institute report U.S. oil stocks fell by 6.75-million barrels last week, the seventh-straight weekly drop and well more than the consensus estimate for a drop of 3.6-million barrels, according to Investing.com. The Energy Information Administration will release official inventory data later on Wednesday morning.

Brent Crude Up 3% at US$98.90 and NY Crude Up 3.3% at US$96.90

Update: WTI Oil Rises Again as Iran Reviews U.S. Peach Deal

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed higher on Tuesday, rising off session lows following reports Iran is considering a new U.S. peace deal to end the war, a day after prices surged after the two sides appeared to be on the brink of resuming hostilities.WTI crude oil for July delivery closed up US$1.60 to settle at US$93.76 per barrel, after earlier touching US$90.12. August Brent oil was last seen up US$1.01 to US$95.99.Prices surged 5.5% on Monday after the United States and Iran traded strikes while Iran said it was refusing to continue talks on a peace deal as long as Israel continued its attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. However Reuters on Tuesday reported Iran is considering a fresh U.S. proposal to end the war and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian media, while U.S. President Trump said on Monday talks were continuing."Crude oil continues to trade from one headline to the next, making it increasingly difficult for traders to maintain conviction beyond a few hours. On Monday, prices posted their biggest one-day gain in a month after rebounding from a six-week low when Iranian officials reportedly halted negotiations with the US in protest over Israel's expanded military operations in Lebanon. President Trump later sought to calm markets by insisting talks remained ongoing and that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, although the two sides offered differing accounts of the conversation. Beneath the headline-driven volatility, global energy markets continue to tighten," Saxo Bank noted.Toril Bosoni, the head of the International Energy Agency's oil industry and markets division, on Tuesday said global oil inventories could fall to critical levels as summer demand rises while stocks fall with the the Middle East war keeping 14-million barrels per day of Persian Gulf supply off the market with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, Bloomberg reported.The IEA official said the agency expects reopening the key Strait will likely take at least six months to fully restore Persian Gulf exports once a peace deal is reached, forcing higher prices to prompt demand destruction as importing countries hunt for supply.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$1.60; Settles at US$93.76 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Decline Premarket Tuesday

Energy stocks were declining premarket Tuesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) down 0.3%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 1.1% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.9% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.9% lower at $91.30 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 0.7% to $94.28 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.8% at $3.12 per 1 million British Thermal Units.BP (BP) has asked senior independent director Amanda Blanc to lead the search for the company's next chair despite concerns from some investors and city figures following the departure of former chairperson Albert Manifold, the Financial Times reported. Shares of BP were down more than 1% pre-bell.BW LPG (BWLP) shares were up 0.7% after the company reported higher Q1 earnings.Bloom Energy (BE) doesn't currently see a need to raise capital through share sales despite surging demand for its fuel-cell technology from AI data centers, Bloomberg News reported, citing Chief Executive K. R. Sridhar. Bloom Energy stock was up more than 3% premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Tuesday as Traders Assess AI Momentum

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated by 0.1% in Tuesday's premarket activity, as investors assessed whether recent AI-driven gains can be sustained.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures losing 0.1% before the start of regular trading.The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, for April will be released at 10:00 am ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 2.9%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2.9% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 1.2%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) fell by 3%.Power Play:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) was flat, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.1% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.Generac (GNRC) stock was up more than 9% before the opening bell after the company signed a global supply agreement with an unnamed hyperscale data center operator to supply backup power generators.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) was little changed. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.7% higher.UP Fintech (TIGR) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after the company swung to a Q1 non-GAAP net loss.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was down 2%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was 0.3% lower.BW LPG (BWLP) stock was up 0.7% before market open after the company reported higher Q1 earnings.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) and iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) were little changed. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was inactive.Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) stock was up 3% premarket after the company said it had completed its acquisition of Eucalyptus, expanding its consumer health platform across Australia, Canada, Germany, and other international markets.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gained slightly, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was marginally down, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.4%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) increased 3%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 2.5%.Nvidia (NVDA) shares were up more than 1% in premarket activity after Reuters reported, citing CEO Jensen Huang at the Computex event in Taipei, that the company has enough supply to support strong growth in its central processing units and graphics processing units.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 0.4% lower. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was flat. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was 0.5% higher.Amazon.com (AMZN) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell, extending a 3.5% fall at Monday's close. The company said Tuesday its Prime Day shopping event will take place from June 23 through June 26.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 0.8% to $91.41 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down 1.8% to $3.12 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down by 1.1%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2% lower.Gold futures for July retreated by 1.2% to $4,558.30 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures rose by 2% to $76.73 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was up by 1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) increased by 1.9%.