United States Oil Fund

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Pre-Bell Thursday

Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 0.5%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 0.7% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.8% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.3% lower at $67.68 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 1.3% to $70.67 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 2% at $3.16 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) placed an order for a second LNG carrier at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, with delivery expected in Q1 2029. Tsakos Energy Navigation stock was up more than 4% premarket.TotalEnergies (TTE) has agreed to sell its 85% interest in Block 2E offshore Malaysia to INPEX for $350 million, the company said. TotalEnergies shares were up more than 1% pre-bell.Viper Energy (VNOM) has completed the acquisition of the mineral and royalty interests owned by Riverbend Oil & Gas IX in a cash-and-stock deal, the company said. Shares of Viper Energy were 0.7% higher premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds Higher, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Latest Economic Reports

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.3%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) advanced 0.4% in Thursday's premarket activity, amid the latest economic reports.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures rose 0.4%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.5% before the start of regular trading.US initial jobless claims fell to 215,000 from 216,000 in the prior week, coming in below economists' expectations of 218,000.US nonfarm payrolls increased by 57,000 in June, well below expectations for a gain of 113,000 and down from a revised 129,000 increase in May, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.2% from 4.3%, beating forecasts for no change.May's factory orders report will be released at 10 am ET, followed by the weekly EIA natural gas report at 10:30 am ET.The weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count will be released at 1 pm ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was up by 1.8%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2.7% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 2.8%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) retreated by 2.8%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.4%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was flat, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) increased by 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Alibaba (BABA) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell after gaining 2.1% at Wednesday's close. The US Department of Justice said Wednesday that the company and its US-based payment processor, AUS Merchant Services, agreed to pay a combined $600 million to resolve US allegations over illegal product sales on the company's e-commerce platforms.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.7%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 1.8%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.7% lower.UBS Group AG (UBS) shares traded up 3.4% in early hours activity after the Financial Times reported that the company plans to begin testing everyday banking services for its US employees as early as December, laying the groundwork for a full-service bank targeting wealthy American clients by mid-2027.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was inactive and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.Forgent Power Solutions (FPS) stock was down more than 2% before the opening bell after the company priced an upsized public offering of its class A common shares at $49 each.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.6%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was flat, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.9% higher.Novartis (NVS) stock was up more than 1% premarket after the company received European Commission approval for its gene replacement treatment, Itvisma, to treat spinal muscular atrophy in patients aged 2 and older.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was flat.TotalEnergies (TTE) stock advanced more than 1% before the opening bell after the company agreed to sell its 85% interest in Block 2E offshore Malaysia to INPEX for $350 million.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 0.9%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.7% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) down 1.9%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) declined by 1.2%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 1.9%.Nvidia (NVDA) shares were down 0.4% in premarket activity, extending losses from the previous day's 1.3% fall. The company said it is expanding access to its artificial intelligence infrastructure by introducing a revenue-sharing model that grants token credits to developers in exchange for a portion of the recurring earnings from the cloud networks.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 1.8% to $67.31 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down by 1.2% to $3.18 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 1%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.7% lower.Gold futures for July were up by 1.1% to $4,129.62 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures was up by 2.3% to $61.89 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 2.3%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 3.6% higher.

Oil Falls to Four-Month Low as Hormuz Shipping Recovers, Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns

Oil traded at a four-month low early Thursday, falling for a third straight session as supply concerns continued to ease with tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf since the start of the Iran war resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for August delivery was last seen down 1.9% to $67.92 per barrel, the lowest since Feb. 27, while September Brent oil was down 1.7% to $70.37.The decline came as ships continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, easing supply disruptions caused by the conflict. According to HormuzStraitMonitor.co, five ships transited the strait over the past day, leaving about 380 vessels still waiting in the queue.Peace talks between the US and Iran are said to be advancing, with the Wall Street Journal reporting indirect talks between the nations are progressing well,"Brent extended its slide towards USD 70 and pre-war levels as flows through the Strait of Hormuz continued to recover, while signs of progress in indirect US-Iran talks further eased supply concerns. Combined with ongoing releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and demand that has been curtailed by recent high prices, the market remains exposed to a short-term supply glut despite the broader market remaining relatively tight," Saxo Bank noted.U.S. inventories continued to fall last week, with the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday said commercial crude oil inventories and releases from the Strategic Oil Reserve dropped by a combined 13.1-million barrels last week.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Fall Premarket Wednesday

Energy stocks were falling premarket Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 0.4% lower.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 1.8% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.8% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.5% lower at $69.13 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil fell 1.1% to $72.18 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 0.8% at $3.25 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Sable Offshore (SOC) shares were up more than 23% after the company said it has priced a combined equity and debt offering to raise new capital and refinance existing borrowings tied to its energy assets.Eni (E) said it agreed with Mercuria to establish an equally owned joint venture to oversee energy commodities trading activities across global markets. Eni stock was down more than 2% pre-bell.Ecopetrol (EC) has received around 1 trillion Colombian pesos ($292.7 million) by Colombia''s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, corresponding to the account receivable from the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund for Q2 2025, the company said. Ecopetrol shares were 0.6% lower premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Wednesday Ahead of Fed Chair Warsh's International Debut

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 0.5% in Wednesday's premarket activity, ahead of remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh in his first international speech at the European Central Bank's annual forum in Portugal.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.4% before the start of regular trading.Mortgage applications rose by 0.04% in the week ended June 26, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday.Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said on Wednesday that companies planned to cut 45,849 jobs in June, well below 97,006 in May and down from 47,999 a year ago.ADP's monthly measure of private payrolls showed a 98,000 increase in June, well below expectations compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET for an increase of 120,000.Warsh is slated to speak at 9 am ET.The final Purchasing Managers' manufacturing index for June will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index for the same month at 10 am ET.The weekly EIA domestic petroleum inventories report is due at 10:30 am ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 0.2%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.6% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 0.6%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.1%.Power Play:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.4%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were flat.Bloom Energy (BE) stock was up more than 7% before the opening bell after Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) expanded its strategic partnership with Bloom, increasing its financing framework for artificial intelligence infrastructure power projects to $25 billion from $5 billion.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.3%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.5% higher.Klarna (KLAR) shares traded up more than 7% in early hours activity after a court ruled in favor of its PriceRunner unit, awarding it $1.97 billion in damages in an antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Google.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.04%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.2%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) slipped 0.03%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.1% lower.Alvotech (ALVO) stock was up more than 3% premarket after the company said it has amended its agreements with GoldenTree Asset Management and other lenders to obtain a term loan facility of up to $75 million in additional capital.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.2%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) retreated by 0.2%, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was up 0.2%. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained marginally by 0.02%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was inactive.Kroger (KR) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after the company said it has agreed to acquire regional supermarket chain Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal, expanding its presence across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 0.7%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.1% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.3%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was down 0.6%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 1.6%.Microsoft (MSFT) shares were up more than 1% in Premarket activity after Business Insider reported the technology giant is planning to cut "thousands" of roles in sales and consulting, in addition to its Xbox gaming division.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was 1.5% higher, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 0.3%.Shell (SHEL) stock was down more than 1% before market open, a day after Bloomberg News reported the company is close to a deal to sell over 600 retail fuel outlets in South Africa to Abu Dhabi National Oil's retail arm for a deal valued at around $1 billion.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 0.5% to $69.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down by 1.3% to $3.23 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 1.5%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.6% lower.Gold futures for July were up by 0.2% to $4,046.90 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures was down by 0.9% to $59.40 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.3%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.6% lower.

Update: WTI Oil Closes Lower as Ships Continue to Move Through Strait of Hormuz

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed lower on Tuesday, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to free up previously trapped barrels.WTI crude for August delivery closed down 1.8% to $69.50 per barrel, while August Brent crude was last seen down 0.3% to $72.92.The drop comes as the United States and Iran hold talks in Qatar aimed at reaching a peace agreement to end the four-month conflict that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil trade.Tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf have resumed transiting the Strait after a pause following renewed US and Iranian strikes over the weekend. The New York Times reported that 40 ships exited the Gulf on Monday, citing data from tracking firm Kpler, up from 24 on Sunday.The resumption of shipping through the Strait has pushed down prices by 23% over the past month and by 30% since the end of the first quarter, the largest drop since 2020."Oil prices traded within a relatively tight range near recent lows while remaining on track for their biggest quarterly decline since the pandemic. Flows through the Strait of Hormuz continue to accelerate, prompting warnings from Morgan Stanley that the release of previously stranded barrels could create a near-term supply glut and put additional downward pressure on prices," Saxo Bank wrote.

August WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down 1.8%; Settles at $69.50 per Barrel

Oil Edges Higher Even as Ships Continue to Move Through Strait of Hormuz

Oil edged higher early on Tuesday, extending gains for a second straight session even as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to free up previously trapped barrels.West Texas Intermediate crude for August delivery was last up 0.6% at $71.17 a barrel, while August Brent crude rose 0.3% to $73.31 a barrel.The gains came as the United States and Iran held talks in Qatar aimed at reaching a peace agreement to end the four-month conflict that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil trade.Tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf have resumed transiting the Strait after a pause following renewed US and Iranian strikes over the weekend. The New York Times reported that 40 ships exited the Gulf on Monday, citing data from tracking firm Kpler, up from 24 on Sunday.The resumption of shipping through the Strait has pushed down prices by 23% over the past month and by 30% since the end of the first quarter, the largest drop since 2020."Oil prices traded within a relatively tight range near recent lows while remaining on track for their biggest quarterly decline since the pandemic. Flows through the Strait of Hormuz continue to accelerate, prompting warnings from Morgan Stanley that the release of previously stranded barrels could create a near-term supply glut and put additional downward pressure on prices," Saxo Bank wrote.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance Premarket Tuesday

Energy stocks were advancing premarket Tuesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 0.1% higher.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.6% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.4% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.9% higher at $71.36 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.4% to $73.42 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 3.2% at $3.28 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Shell (SHEL) is close to a deal to sell over 600 retail fuel outlets in South Africa to Abu Dhabi National Oil's retail arm for a deal valued at around $1 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Shell stock was 0.1% higher pre-bell.BP (BP) and Eni's (E) joint venture, Azule Energy, has awarded Vallourec a contract for the Greater PAJ offshore development project in Angola, Vallourec said. BP shares were 0.3% higher and Eni stock was up 0.4% premarket.Equinor (EQNR) and Var Energi have agreed to exchange natural gas assets on the Norwegian continental shelf, Equinor said. Shares of Equinor were up more than 1% premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds Mixed, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Ahead of Key Economic Reports

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up marginally, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated 0.1% in Tuesday's premarket activity as investors looked ahead to key economic data while concluding one of the strongest quarters for US equities in years.US stock futures were trending lower, with the S&P 500 Index futures, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures, and Nasdaq futures down slightly before the start of regular trading.The Case-Shiller Home Price Index and the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index, both for April, will be released at 9 am ET.The Chicago purchasing managers' index for June is slated for a 9:45 am ET release, followed by the June consumer confidence report and May Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey at 10 am.Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack is scheduled to speak on Tuesday.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) fell 2.9%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) retreated by 2.6%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was steady, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 1%, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.4%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Patrick Industries (PATK) shares were down more than 8% pre-bell, while LCI Industries (LCII) stock rose 2% after the companies said they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.6% higher.Lloyds Banking Group (LYG) shares traded up over 1% in early hours activity after Bloomberg reported that the company is planning to increase its focus on workplace pensions to boost its wealth segment as part of its five-year strategy through 2030.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced marginally, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) increased 0.4%, and the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) advanced by 0.9%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.3% higher.BeOne Medicines' (ONC) stock was down slightly premarket, partially reversing the 3.6% gain at the previous close. The company said Brukinsa met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival in a phase 3 study evaluating the drug as a potential treatment in combination with rituximab for mantle cell lymphoma.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.5% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.Hafnia (HAFN) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said that Mikael Skov will step down as chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1, and be succeeded by head of asset management Soren Jensen.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced 0.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was fractionally higher, and the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.1%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) increased 0.4%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose 0.1%.Super Micro Computer (SMCI) shares were up 0.9% in premarket activity following an 8.1% drop at the prior close. The Financial Times reported that the company is cooperating with Taiwanese authorities after investigators searched its Taiwan office as part of a probe into suspected exports of Nvidia (NVDA) artificial intelligence servers to China in violation of trade restrictions. Nvidia stock was 0.7% higher.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was flat, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.2%.Equinor (EQNR) stock was up 0.7% before market open after the company and Var Energi agreed to exchange natural gas assets on the Norwegian continental shelf.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 0.6% to $71.20 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas advanced by 2.1% to $3.25 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) increased by 1.1%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 3.3% higher.Gold futures for July were up by 0.2% to $4,045.30 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained by 1.3% to $59.37 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.6% higher.

Update: WTI Oil Rises as Traders Weigh US-Iran Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

(Updates prices in the second paragraph.)West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed higher on Monday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to halt the weekend strikes that had threatened their ceasefire.WTI crude oil for August delivery closed up 2.2% to settle at $70.75 per barrel, while August Brent oil was last seen up 1.4% to $73.03.Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed after Iran and the U.S. traded missile strikes on the weekend, renewing hostilities after Iran on Thursday attacked a ship. According to the Wall Street Journal, the two countries agreed to end fighting on Monday with peace talks expected to resume on Tuesday."Early gains faded after the two sides agreed to halt attacks, allowing vessels to move freely ahead of peace talks set to resume later this week. As European trading gets underway, Brent is little changed around USD 72. Iran's foreign minister reiterated that Tehran retains exclusive authority over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary peace agreement, leaving the risk of renewed supply disruptions elevated," Saxo Bank noted.Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed. The hormuzstraitmonitor.com on Friday reported 62 ships passed through the Strait that handled 20% of daily oil demand prior to the Feb. 28 start to the war. The website said only five ships have moved through the waterway in the past 24 hours, with 167 tankers waiting in the queue.

August WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Up 2.2%; Settles at $70.75 per Barrel

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Pre-Bell Monday

Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Monday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 0.2%.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 3.4% lower.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.1% higher at $69.96 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.6% to $72.40 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 2.8% at $3.19 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Eni (E) has started enhanced gas production off the coast of Libya, in partnership with Libyan National Oil, the Italian integrated energy producer said. Shares of Eni were up more than 1% premarket.Matador Resources (MTDR) majority-owned San Mateo Midstream joint venture has agreed to acquire the operating subsidiaries of Cardinal Midstream Partners from EnCap Flatrock Midstream for $752 million in cash, the company said. Matador Resources stock was up more than 1% pre-bell.Williams (WMB) may buy peer pipeline operator Momentum Midstream for about $5.5 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Shares of Williams were marginally declining premarket.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Monday Amid Hopes for Renewed US-Iran Diplomacy

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 1%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) advanced 1.3% in Monday's premarket activity, amid optimism around renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.8%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 1% before the start of regular trading.The Dallas Fed manufacturing survey for June will be released at 10:30 am ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was up by 0.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.1% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) increased by 0.9%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.2%.Power Play:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.5%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.5%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) gained by 1.2%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.3% higher.Viridian Therapeutics (VRDN) stock was up 8.9% premarket after the company said that its Lumvoa medicine received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat thyroid eye disease, an autoimmune disease.Winners and Losers:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.5%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was up 6% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock was up more than 10% before the opening bell after the company agreed to acquire Iridium Communications (IRDM) in a cash-and-stock deal valuing the satellite operator at an enterprise value of about $8 billion.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.7%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.1% lower.Robinhood Markets (HOOD) shares were 2% higher before the opening bell, extending gains from a 5.6% rise on Friday. Goldman Sachs lifted its price target on the company to $121 from $108, while maintaining a buy rating.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.2% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 2%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained by 1.3%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.9%.Nvidia (NVDA) shares were up 0.8% in premarket activity, after a 1.6% fall at the previous close. Firmus Technologies said over the weekend that Nvidia will supply up to 170,000 artificial intelligence accelerators for its planned AI factory campus in Batam, Indonesia.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.1%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was marginally higher, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) fell 1.5%. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained by 0.6%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was up 0.4, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was 0.5% higher.Amazon's (AMZN) shares were up nearly 1% pre-bell after gaining 2.5% at Friday's close. Reuters reported over the weekend that the retailer's Prime Day discounts generated more than $26.4 billion in sales from June 23 to June 26, a 9.3% year-over-year increase.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was down 0.1%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.2%.Eni (E) stock was up more than 1% before market open after the company said it has started enhanced gas production off the coast of Libya, in partnership with Libyan National Oil.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 1.2% to $70.07 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas retreated by 2.3% to $3.20 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) increased by 0.6%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 3% lower.Gold futures for July were down by 1.1% to $4,051.50 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures retreated by 1.9% to $58.53 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was down by 0.6%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.8% lower.

Oil Rises as Traders Weigh US-Iran Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

Oil edged higher early Monday but retreated from overnight highs after the U.S. and Iran agreed to halt strikes that had threatened their ceasefire.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for August delivery was last seen up US$0.72 to US$69.95 per barrel after rising to US$70.97 overnight, while August Brent oil was up US$0.28 to US$72.27.Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed after Iran and the U.S. traded missile strikes on the weekend, renewing hostilities after Iran on Thursday attacked a ship. According to the Wall Street Journal, the two countries agreed to end fighting on Monday with peace talks expected to resume on Tuesday."Early gains faded after the two sides agreed to halt attacks, allowing vessels to move freely ahead of peace talks set to resume later this week. As European trading gets underway, Brent is little changed around USD 72. Iran's foreign minister reiterated that Tehran retains exclusive authority over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary peace agreement, leaving the risk of renewed supply disruptions elevated," Saxo Bank noted.Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed. The hormuzstraitmonitor.com on Friday reported 62 ships passed through the Strait that handled 20% of daily oil demand prior to the Feb. 28 start to the war. The website said only five ships have moved through the waterway in the past 24 hours, with 167 tankers waiting in the queue.

Update: WTI Oil Hits a Four-Month Low as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Resumes

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed at a four-month low on Friday as ships resumed moving through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over supply disruptions in the Persian Gulf following the outbreak of the Iran conflict on Feb. 28.WTI crude oil for August delivery closed down 3.7% to settle at US$69.23 per barrel, the lowest since Feb. 27, while August Brent crude was last seen down 4.3% to US$72.03l.The decline came after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumed, a day after reports that Iran had attacked a vessel transiting the waterway in Omani waters. The incident prompted the International Maritime Organization to suspend an evacuation plan for ships stranded in the Persian Gulf.However ships are again moving through the Strait, with hormuzstraitmonitor.com reporting 62 ships have moved out of the Gulf in the past day, easing the largest ever energy supply shock that began when Iran blocked the international waterway at the start of the war."Oil resumed its decline after tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz accelerated, following a brief rebound on Thursday when a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman. The mini tsunami of released barrels is weighing on the front end of the futures curve," Saxo Bank noted.

August WTI Crude Oil Contract Closes Down 3.7% to US$69.23 per Barrel

Correction: Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Decline Pre-Bell Friday as Investors Shift Focus From Middle East to Technology Stocks

(Corrects the third paragraph to state that May advance trade deficit widened.)The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.7%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated 1.6% in Friday's premarket activity, as investors shifted their focus from the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East to technology stocks.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.5%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 1.4% before the start of regular trading.The US advance international trade in goods deficit widened to $105.76 billion in May from $83.01 billion in April, according to data released by the US Census Bureau.June's final University of Michigan consumer sentiment report is slated for a 10 am ET release, followed by the weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count at 1 pm ET.Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari is scheduled to speak on Friday.In premarket action, bitcoin was down 0.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was down 0.2%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) declined by 1.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) lost 0.01%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.5%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was down 0.8%, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was 0.1% lower. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.1%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was flat.Trip.com (TCOM) shares were down more than 3% pre-bell as multiple analyst price target cuts followed the company's Q1 earnings announcement.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.6%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.2% lower.HIVE Digital Technologies (HIVE) shares traded down 6.1% in early hours activity after the company priced an offering of $115 million worth of 0% exchangeable senior notes due 2031 in a private offering.HealthcareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.03%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 1.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) rose 0.5%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.1% lower.Nuvation Bio (NUVB) stock was down nearly 1% premarket, extending losses from the previous day's 10% fall. The company said late Thursday it priced an underwritten offering of $250 million of 0.75% convertible senior notes due in 2032.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was marginally higher, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 0.5%.Equinor (EQNR) stock was down nearly 2% before market open after the company said it is ending its offshore wind business activities in Japan and shutting its Tokyo office by the end of the year.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.2%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained by 0.2% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.AerCap (AER) stock was up more than 2% before the opening bell after the company said it delivered the first of three Airbus A321neo aircraft to Azerbaijan Airlines.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 2.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.4% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 2%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) declined by 2.9%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 4.3%.Microsoft (MSFT) shares were up 1.4% in premarket activity after closing the prior day with a 3.5% fall. The Italian Competition Authority said the company faces a formal regulatory investigation into whether it engaged in deceptive marketing during a recent price increase for Microsoft 365.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell by 3.1% to $69.70 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained by 2.9% to $3.44 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 3.2%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.5% higher.Gold futures for July were up by 0.4% to $4,063.80 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained by 0.1% to $58.83 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.5% higher.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Decline Premarket Friday

Energy stocks were declining premarket Friday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 0.4% lower.The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 3% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.3% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 3.2% lower at $69.64 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 3.5% to $72.64 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.5% at $3.39 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Equinor (EQNR) shares were down more than 1% after the company said it is ending its offshore wind business activities in Japan and shut its Tokyo office by the end of the year.Cenovus Energy (CVE) has awarded a five-year engineering and maintenance services contract for its White Rose offshore field assets to Aker Solutions, the latter said. Cenovus Energy stock was 0.6% lower premarket.TotalEnergies (TTE) said the Paris Judicial Court rejected a bid by environmental groups and the City of Paris to block new oil and gas projects or force production cuts under France's duty of vigilance law. Shares of TotalEnergies were down 0.2% pre-bell.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Decline Pre-Bell Friday as Investors Shift Focus From Middle East to Technology Stocks

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.7%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated 1.6% in Friday's premarket activity, as investors shifted their focus from the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East to technology stocks.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.5%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 1.4% before the start of regular trading.The US advance international trade in goods deficit narrowed to $105.76 billion in May from $83.01 billion in April, according to data released by the US Census Bureau.June's final University of Michigan consumer sentiment report is slated for a 10 am ET release, followed by the weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count at 1 pm ET.Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari is scheduled to speak on Friday.In premarket action, bitcoin was down 0.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was down 0.2%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) declined by 1.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) lost 0.01%.Power Play:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.5%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was down 0.8%, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was 0.1% lower. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.1%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was flat.Trip.com (TCOM) shares were down more than 3% pre-bell as multiple analyst price target cuts followed the company's Q1 earnings announcement.Winners and Losers:FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.6%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.2% lower.HIVE Digital Technologies (HIVE) shares traded down 6.1% in early hours activity after the company priced an offering of $115 million worth of 0% exchangeable senior notes due 2031 in a private offering.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.03%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 1.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) rose 0.5%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.1% lower.Nuvation Bio (NUVB) stock was down nearly 1% premarket, extending losses from the previous day's 10% fall. The company said late Thursday it priced an underwritten offering of $250 million of 0.75% convertible senior notes due in 2032.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was marginally higher, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 0.5%.Equinor (EQNR) stock was down nearly 2% before market open after the company said it is ending its offshore wind business activities in Japan and shutting its Tokyo office by the end of the year.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.2%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained by 0.2% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.AerCap (AER) stock was up more than 2% before the opening bell after the company said it delivered the first of three Airbus A321neo aircraft to Azerbaijan Airlines.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 2.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.4% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 2%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) declined by 2.9%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 4.3%.Microsoft (MSFT) shares were up 1.4% in premarket activity after closing the prior day with a 3.5% fall. The Italian Competition Authority said the company faces a formal regulatory investigation into whether it engaged in deceptive marketing during a recent price increase for Microsoft 365.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell by 3.1% to $69.70 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained by 2.9% to $3.44 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 3.2%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.5% higher.Gold futures for July were up by 0.4% to $4,063.80 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained by 0.1% to $58.83 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.5% higher.