United States Oil Fund

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%.

Oil Falls on Reports Iran is Considering a Fresh U.S. Peace Offer

Oil prices fell early Tuesday 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.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen down $1.23 to US$90.93 per barrel, while August Brent oil was down $1.30 to US$93.68.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.

NY Crude Down 0.9% at US$91.30 and Brent Crude Down 1% at US$94

Brent Crude Down 1.4% at US$93.65

Update: WTI Oil Rises Off a Six-Week Low on Renewed Hostilities Between the United States and Iran

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) on Monday surged 5.5% Monday, climbing off a six-week low on heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, dimming expectations for a peace deal in a war now entering its fourth month that has caused the largest-ever oil supply shock.The rise comes after the United States over the weekend attacked Iranian military sites, while The Guardian reported Iran on Monday targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait and said it will discontinue negotiations until Israel ends its war on Lebanon, pushing oil prices up from a six-week low.The hostilities have dimmed prospects for a end to the war that began on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which responded by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that is the chokepoint for 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf countriesThe price of the commodity rose well above US$100 per barrel in April as the war blocked exports from the Gulf, but have since moderated on hopes the apparently suspended talks between the two countries hosted by Qatar would produce a deal that reopens the Strait, while some of the region's exporters have found alternatives to tanker shipments and demand has weakened due to high prices."Traders continue to price in the likelihood that any agreement could trigger a near-term surge in supply from vessels currently stranded inside the Persian Gulf. By now, it is also clear that several key release valves have helped prevent an even larger price spike. These include a sharp increase in US oil exports, a slump in Chinese crude imports, the use of UAE and Saudi Arabian pipeline infrastructure that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, strategic petroleum reserve releases, and weaker end-user demand through a combination of demand destruction and use of domestic stockpiles," Saxo Bank noted.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up US$4.80; Settles at US$92.16 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance Premarket Monday

Energy stocks were advancing premarket Monday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 1% higher.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 4.4% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.9% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 2.6% higher at $89.64 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 3.1% to $93.98 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 3% at $3.19 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Equinor (EQNR) recommended that the company's corporate assembly elect Jarle Roth as new chair of the board, the company said. Shares of Equinor were up more than 4% pre-bell.Venture Global (VG) shares were up more than 3% after the company said its Venture Global LNG subsidiary plans to issue $2.25 billion of senior secured notes due 2034 and 2036 in a private offering.BP (BP) is selling a 5% stake in the Browse liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia to GS Energy, leaving it with a 39.33% interest in the project, news outlets reported. BP stock was up more than 1% premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Monday as AI Optimism Overshadows Middle East Risks

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) advanced 0.2% in Monday's premarket activity, as enthusiasm for new artificial intelligence initiatives from major technology companies outweighs concerns about ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and elevated energy prices.US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.2% before the start of regular trading.S&P Global manufacturing data for May will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the construction spending data for April, and the ISM's manufacturing reading for May at 10:00 am ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 1.9%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 1.5%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) gained 1.7%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.3% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was flat. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) retreated by 0.9%. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.6%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) advanced by 0.4%.Taylor Morrison Home (TMHC) shares were up more than 22% pre-bell after the company agreed to be acquired by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) for $6.8 billion in cash and a total equity value of $8.5 billionWinners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.1%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.03%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was flat. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) gained by 0.03%.Grail's (GRAL) stock was down more than 17% premarket after the company reported its NHS-Galleri trial missed its primary endpoint of reducing combined Stage III and IV cancer diagnoses.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.5%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 1.5%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.4% lower.Coinbase Global (COIN) stock was down more than 3% before market open. Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal sold 1,960 company shares for $346,683 on May 27, a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission showed.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.4%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.5% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) lost by 0.6%Diana Shipping (DSX) stock was down more than 0.4% before the opening bell after the company said Sunday it has issued an open letter urging Genco Shipping & Trading (GNK) investors to elect its six independent board candidates at the upcoming June 18 annual meeting. Genco stock was 0.8% lower.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced 1.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.1% 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) was 0.3% lower, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) declined by 0.7%.Dell Technologies (DELL) shares were up more than 1% in premarket activity a day after the company said it has launched its XPS 13 laptop.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was 0.1% higher, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.5%.Venture Global (VG) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said its subsidiary Venture Global LNG plans to issue $2.25 billion in senior secured notes due 2034 and 2036.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 2.3% to $89.40 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down 2.3% to $3.21 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) rose by 1.8%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.4% lower.Gold futures for July retreated by 1.2% to $4,537.70 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures increased by 0.3% to $76.10 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was down by 1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) gained 0.4%.

Oil Rises Off a Six-Week Low on Renewed Strikes Between the United States and Iran

Oil prices rose early on Monday, climbing off a six-week low as Iran and the United States traded attacks, dimming expectations for a peace deal in a war now entering its fourth month that has caused the largest-ever oil supply shock.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for July delivery was last seen up US$3.09 to US$90.45 per barrel after falling to the lowest since April 17 on Friday, while August Brent oil was up US$2.62 to US$93.74.The rise comes after the United States over the weekend attacked Iranian military sites, while The Guardian reported Iran on Monday targeted a U.S. military base in Kuwait.The hostilities have dimmed prospects for a end to the war that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched strike on Iran, which responded by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that is the chokepoint for 20% of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf countries.The price of the commodity rose well above US$100 per barrel in April as the war blocked exports from the Gulf, but have since moderated on hopes talks between the two countries hosted by Qatar will produce a deal that reopens the Strait, while some of the region's exporters have found alternatives to tanker shipments and demand has weakened due to high prices."Traders continue to price in the likelihood that any agreement could trigger a near-term surge in supply from vessels currently stranded inside the Persian Gulf. By now, it is also clear that several key release valves have helped prevent an even larger price spike. These include a sharp increase in US oil exports, a slump in Chinese crude imports, the use of UAE and Saudi Arabian pipeline infrastructure that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, strategic petroleum reserve releases, and weaker end-user demand through a combination of demand destruction and use of domestic stockpiles," Saxo Bank noted.

Brent Up 3.1% at Just Under US$94 and NY Crude Up 3.7% at Near US$90.60

Crude Oil Prices Jump After U.S., Iran Exchange Strikes, Dimming Ceasefire Hopes

Crude oil prices climbed on Monday following an exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran and an escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.Brent crude at last look rose 3.3% to US$94.13/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude gained 4% to $90.87/barrel. This comes after the U.S. said it conducted "self-defense" strikes in Goruk and Qeshm Island and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its aerospace force targeted an air base, Reuters said in a Monday report.Meanwhile, Israel reportedly ordered troops to move further into Lebanon as it fights Tehran-backed Hezbollah, according to Reuters.Hopes of an extension to the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran have diminished amid the developments, despite Israel-Lebanon peace talks on Friday hosted by Washington, the report said.

Update: WTI Oil Closes at a Six-Week Low on Reports Iran and the U.S. May be Nearing a Peace Deal

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed at six-week Friday on reports the United States and Iran will extend their tenuous ceasefire while a Trump Administration official said the two sides are nearing a deal to end the war.WTI crude oil for July delivery closed down $1.54 to settle at US$87.36 per barrel, the lowest since April 17, while July Brent oil was last seen down $1.74 to US$91.97.The Wall Street Journal reported U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump Administration is near a deal to end the war, which enters its fourth month today. The paper said President Trump is pressing for Iran to for a commitment to surrender its stocks of enriched uranium and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Thursday reports that the two countries have extended a ceasefire for 60 days is also pressing prices.The Strait has been mostly closed to shipping since the Feb. 28 start to the war, blocking exports from the Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of daily oil demand. A peace deal could see shipping resume, but Iran is likely to maintain control of the waterway once hostilities end."Any end to the conflict that leaves Iran exercising operational control and influence over the Strait will result in appreciably lower flows through the waterway in our view. Moreover, we struggle to see how a sizeable number of Western shipping companies will be willing to risk transiting the waterway even if a 60-day MoU is inked, given the ever-present risk of recurrent rounds of military action involving missiles, drones, and mines. These factors are compounded by extremely elevated insurance rates as well as the legal difficulties associated with paying or coordinating with IRGC entities under US sanctions," Helima Croft, Head of Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research at RBC Capital Markets, wrote.Still, hopes for a full return of Persian Gulf have cut into oil prices, which posted their largest monthly drop in six years on expectations for a peace deal. However prices are not expected to soon return to pre-war levels as importing countries rebuild depleted inventories."While significant hurdles remain, the market is reacting to the prospect of a supply surge once hundreds of tankers loaded with crude oil and refined fuels are released from the Persian Gulf. In the months ahead, however, demand to replenish depleted global inventories is likely to provide support, potentially lifting the price floor compared with pre-war levels," Saxo Bank noted.

July WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down US$1.54; Settles at US$87.36 per Barrel