Today's Commodities Pulse
UK energy bills surge to two‑year high as Europe feels shock from Iran conflict
UK households are set to face their deepest‑unwelcome energy bill increase in two years as wholesale prices climb amid the Iran‑related war. Analysts say the conflict will push household energy costs higher for the first time across Europe.
Also developing:
By the numbers: M Battery Materials acquires graphite assets for $20M
Fastmarkets Proposes to Change Mexico Non-Ferrous Scrap Units
Fastmarkets announced it will convert its Mexico non‑ferrous scrap price assessments from peso per pound to peso per kilogram. The change aligns the pricing units with the kilogram‑based invoicing and contract norms used by most suppliers, processors and buyers in regions such as Monterrey and Bajío. The proposal covers 13 aluminium and copper assessments and does not alter any other methodological parameters. The consultation runs until March 24 2026, with a decision on April 1 and implementation slated for April 8 2026.
Delayed Publication of China (Brazil), China (US Gulf), Brazil, Argentina and US Soybean Crush Margins
Fastmarkets announced a delayed release of its latest soybean crush margin data for key markets, including China (Brazil and US Gulf), Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. The reported M1 margins show a positive 30.50 yuan/mt for China‑Brazil soy, a...
Crude Volatile as Hormuz Risks Increase
Oil markets remain volatile as the fifth day of the US‑Iran conflict curtails traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil. West Texas Intermediate steadied just under $75 a barrel while Brent hovered around...
Drought Relief Could Be Coming Soon for Much of the Midwest
The Midwestern Regional Climate Center warns that more than 70% of the Midwest remains in moderate to extreme drought after a dry winter. New weather models, however, project several inches of rain across the Eastern Corn Belt in March, offering...
Coal: Unexpected Hedge for AI Boom and Economic Rebound
I know it's only March but if you know anyone in your family is going to be on the naughty list you may want to consider hedging your future coal purchases with a long $COAL position. You're competing against the...
Cumulative Broiler Placements 2% Ahead of Last Year
The USDA reports that broiler hatchery activity is 2 percent ahead of 2025, with 254.46 million eggs set and a hatchability rate of 78.5 percent. Placements rose to 193.98 million chicks, up 1.532 million week‑over‑week and 2 percent year‑over‑year. State data show Arkansas leading placements while...
Brazil’s Record Soybean Harvest Adds Pressure to U.S. Prices
Brazil's soybean harvest hit record levels in 2026, with unprecedented acreage, yield, and total production. The surge creates a global surplus that could flatten U.S. soybean price expectations for the upcoming season. Economist Chad Hart notes the bounty mirrors last...
Is Myanmar’s Military Government Planning Airstrikes on Rare Earth Mines?
A potential supply shock emerged as Myanmar's junta reportedly plans airstrikes on rare‑earth mines in the Kachin‑controlled Pang War region. Chinese mining firms responded by raising national flags on sites and ordering bomb‑shelter construction to signal locations to aircraft. China...
Delayed Publication of US Sustainable Aviation Fuel Prices for March 3
Fastmarkets announced a delay in publishing the United States sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) price data for March 3. The postponed release covers three benchmarks: base cost ex‑works in Houston, delivered price in Los Angeles, and delivered price in Chicago. These prices...
Qatar LNG Shutdown Sends Global Gas Markets Into Turmoil
Qatar Energy declared force majeure on its LNG exports, halting production at the Ras Laffan plant amid the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The shutdown, which affects roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas, is expected to last at least...
Correction to Steel Hot-Rolled Coil Index Domestic, Exw Italy
Fastmarkets issued a correction for its domestic ex‑works Italy hot‑rolled coil (HRC) index, adjusting the price from €682.50 to €676.25 per tonne. The error stemmed from a reporter mistake and has been rectified in the pricing database. The revised figure...
Iran Dispute Threatens US Farm Exports, Especially Olive Oil
🇺🇸🇪🇸USA & Spain are at odds over Iran, and Trump has floated a trade embargo. What could that mean for U.S. ag? On the import side, olive oil would be the biggest victim. USA exported a record $2.4B in farm goods...
Gulf Oil and Gas Crisis Sparks Calls for Renewables Investment
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has disrupted oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz, halting Qatari LNG production and sharply raising global energy prices. About one‑fifth of world oil and LNG passes the strait,...
Metals Movers: Stainless Insights with ISSDA’s President
In this episode Deepika Singh talks with Rajamani Krishnamurthy, President of the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISDA), about the rapid expansion of India’s stainless‑steel sector and the structural challenges it faces. Krishnamurthy stresses that the biggest hurdle is the prevailing...
North American Oil Data Deck (March 2026)
The March 2026 edition of the North American Oil Data Deck, a subscription‑only, 47‑page visual report, shows petroleum liquids output falling 353 kbpd month‑over‑month to 31,075 kbpd, the lowest level since August. U.S. crude production slipped for a second straight month, while Canada...
North America Drops 11 Rigs WoW
North America’s weekly rig count slipped 11 units to 764, with the United States reporting 550 rigs and Canada 214. The U.S. saw a net loss of one rig, driven by a two‑rig decline in oil rigs while gas rigs...
Diana Rolls Panamax Bulker Into Improved SwissMarine Fixture
Greek dry‑bulk carrier Diana Shipping has secured a new time charter for its 77,525 dwt panamax vessel Crystalia. The ship will sail for SwissMarine at $16,200 per day, minus 5% commission, from mid‑March 2026 through early 2027. This rate exceeds the...
Spring Fertilizer Supply Fears Grow as Iran War Chokes Key Shipping Route
In this episode, host Sean talks with Stonex analyst Josh Linville about the sudden disruption to global fertilizer markets caused by the U.S. military operation in Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz. They explain how the...
CPKR EBITDA Surges
Macro: capacity leverage and RWA demand lifted CPKR Q4 EBITDA +19.5% (FY+46.7%). Key: whole‑hog optimization, low leverage. Risk: execution/export cycles. Trade: buy on pullback <$16.50. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Brent Likely to Dip Toward $50 Despite Recent Surge
$50 or $100 Year-End for Brent Crude? It took an unprecedented closure of the Strait of Hormuz to push the front-month Brent crude oil future to extend 2025's high -- now what? December Brent is near $69 and will become front...
Good News, Bad News, Stupid News
Barclays released a research paper flagging the risk of stranded transition assets, suggesting that wind and solar projects could lose value despite soaring oil and gas prices. The paper arrives amid heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, which has...
Cameco Signs $2.6B Uranium Supply Deal with India
Cameco announced a $2.6 billion agreement to supply uranium to India’s nuclear program, marking one of the largest contracts in its history. The deal, reportedly spanning several years, will deliver up to 5,000 metric tonnes of uranium to support India’s ambitious...
SLVO's Hidden Weakness Meets Its Match In KSLV
Kurv Silver Enhanced Income ETF (KSLV) employs an active, option‑based layer that captures more of silver’s upside than the covered‑call‑centric SLVO. The strategy’s unleveraged silver exposure and return‑of‑capital distributions give it a tax‑advantaged edge. The analyst upgrades KSLV to a...
Fund Managers Slightly Boost Dutch Gas Positions Pre‑crisis
INVESTMENT MANAGERS purchased the equivalent of 12 terawatt-hours (TWh) of futures and options in the European benchmark Dutch TTF contract over the seven days ending on February 27. Nearly all the buying came from repurchases of previous bearish short positions....
Middle East War Threatens Oil Markets, Accelerates Clean Energy Shift
Many consider a widespread war in the Middle East the worst-case scenario for the global oil and gas markets. That war is here, and it could have long-lasting impacts on energy and climate policy. This week on Zero, I speak...
Russian Oil & Gas Monthly - February, 2026
The February 2026 edition of Russian Oil & Gas Monthly highlights a sudden escalation in Middle‑East tensions, specifically the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The conflict, which unfolded at the end of February, disrupted global...
China Keeps Aluminum Cap, Prices Hit New High
The timing of our China Macro Watch report on February 25 has proven fortuitous. In that note, we laid out why Beijing is unlikely to lift its 45mn-ton aluminum output cap — a policy that has effectively anchored global supply...
Safer Global Outlook Threatens Gold's Recent Surge
A Safer World Could Pressure Stretched Gold - Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a signal to buy gold, and subduing Iran could mark the opposite. Since the "unlimited friendship" between presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in 2022, leadership in...
The Real Commodity Story
Under the Bretton Woods gold standard, oil was effectively pegged at about $2.60 per barrel, delivering remarkable price stability from 1950 until the system’s collapse. When the United States abandoned the gold‑linked dollar in the early 1970s, oil prices became...
Nanjing Tanker Orders Trio of Chemical Carriers
Nanjing Tanker, a Shanghai‑listed subsidiary of China Merchants Group, has signed a contract for three 6,600 dwt stainless‑steel chemical carriers with Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard. The $71 million deal, including tax, targets delivery in the first half of 2028 and adds to the...
Gold Drops Amid Geopolitical Tension Due to Liquidity Crunch
Why Gold ( XAUUSD ) is heading down despite rising geopolitical escalations ? In short, this is a liquidity event. For detailed context , with potential trade idea on GOLD & SPX , watch the video below (8 minutes video...
Expect More Platinum Price Gyrations, Warns WPIC
The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) projects the platinum supply deficit to shrink dramatically to 240,000 ounces in 2026, down from a record 1.082 million ounces in 2025. Despite the narrowing gap, demand is expected to dip 8% to 7.62 million ounces...
Thailand, South Korea Lead Asia’s Oil‑Shock Market Turmoil
In Asia, Thailand and South Korea have the highest GDP exposure to imported oil & so the violence today in Korea and Thai markets reflects fear how that will play out. Note that this is negative for Asia in general but...
New SONAR Dashboard Tracks Surging Diesel and Oil Prices
In light of the surge in diesel and oil prices overnight, we have added a new fuel dashboard in SONAR. https://t.co/cAWkSzmzsr
Urea Price Jumps as Iran Fall-Out Halts Shipping
Urea prices in Australia have surged by roughly A$150 per tonne after the escalation of the Iran‑US‑Israeli conflict shut the Strait of Hormuz, halting shipments from key Middle‑East producers such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Spot prices have...
Bitcoin's Drop Signals Inevitable Low‑price Commodity Slump
Can we avoid typical low-price cures toward $40 crude, $3.5 corn in 2026? Bitcoin bear market prove otherwise starts at about $74,000 https://t.co/TATxs2Sdkc
Canada's Wheat Acreage Drops, Canola Planting Rises
🇨🇦Analysts see Canada's 2026 all wheat planted area falling 0.6 million acres on the year, but canola plantings are predicted to rise 0.7 million acres. Statistics Canada is scheduled to publish farmers' 2026 planting intentions on Thursday morning. https://t.co/LZBnDIiPS0
Zodiac Maritime Stacks Tanker Orderbook
London‑based Zodiac Maritime is expanding its crude carrier renewal by ordering five new tankers in Asia. The deal includes four 319,000‑dwt VLCCs from Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry at roughly $120 million each, slated for 2029 delivery, and a 157,000‑dwt...
Crude Oil Nears Peak, Iran's $200 Threat Unfounded
$USOIL - Crude oil is already showing initial signs of topping as it did last June. I can't believe that some people are gullible enough to believe, that empty threats made by Iran about $200 crude oil prices, are actually...
Dr. Copper Rebounds as Manufacturing Finally Picks Up
"Dr. Copper" is seeking redemption. It usually moves hand-in-hand with the manufacturing data. That was not the case in 2023-2024, when it rose but manufacturing remained moribund. Notwithstanding the recent pullback, both are rising again. A promising chart, in my...
US LNG Can't Quickly Replace Lost Qatari Cargoes
"There is little US LNG producers can do to immediately replace lost Qatari cargoes" https://t.co/ZAZe4MzpoI "American export plants are running nearly full tilt with most cargoes locked into long‑term contracts." https://t.co/3nYYZwRyaA
Markets Wobble as Oil Spikes; US Vows Tanker Protection
For a few hours yesterday morning, markets looked very scary. Brent was going vertical, USD was rising like crazy and S&P 500 was plummeting. The US calmed things down by promising to insure and escort oil tankers, but one Iranian...
QatarEnergy Declares Force Majeure on LNG After Drone Strike
This is likely the first time QatarEnergy has ever declared force majeure on LNG shipments 🇶🇦 ⚠️ Qatar made its name as a powerhouse producer that never fails its customers Then an Iranian drone hit
South Asian Fertilizer Output Slips Amid Qatar LNG Outage
Fertilizer manufacturers in South Asia are beginning to cut output due to an outage at Qatar’s LNG export plant ⚠️ 🇮🇳 Some Indian manufacturers started reducing production at urea plans 🇵🇰 Pakistan’s gas distributor declared FM on to fertiliser plants https://t.co/LUjKJcUg25
Trump's Hormuz Plan Could Hike India's Energy Costs
Trump’s Hormuz strategy may raise energy costs as India faces fertilizer and LNG supply risks | Mathrubhumi English https://t.co/BTL63LOcou
EU Ranks Third in Global Fossil Fuel Import Dependence
Europe remains one of the economies most exposed to volatility in global energy markets. The EU still depends on imported fossil fuels for close to 60% of its energy needs. Among large economies, only Japan and South Korea have higher levels of...
Higher Gas Prices Benefit Malaysia, Counter Oil Deficit
Malaysia should not be one of the weakest links here. It exports gas so higher prices is good for Malaysia, offsetting deficit of oil…
US Kills Iran Leaders; War Persists, Oil Spikes
The US just killed Iran's top leaders, but the war isn't ending. The Revolutionary Guard is still fighting, and oil has spiked past $85. 🔒 Members-Only https://t.co/oiXuHGPp3W
Platinum Daily Chart Overly Ideal, Weekly Signals Range
Platinum daily H and S looks too perfect...weeklies look like prolonged trading range in the cards. https://t.co/1aX3R3ZKmT
China Seeks New Oil Sources as Middle East Supply Wanes
CHINA’s options to deal with loss of oil supply from Iran and the Middle East: https://t.co/pf8gYZWvxE