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
Market View: Gold Rush, Oil Shock & Sea’s Surprise - Markets Brace for a New Volatility Cycle
In this episode, Michelle Martin and market analyst Ryan Huang dissect a volatile global backdrop, covering Asian equity declines, the earnings surge and share‑price drop of Singapore‑based Sea Ltd (Shopee), Singapore’s push to become a regional physical gold hub, and the ripple effects of heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz on oil prices and Asian economies. They also review earnings outlooks for U.S. retailers Target, Best Buy, and Swiss sneaker maker On‑Holding, highlighting the tension between growth ambitions and margin pressures. Throughout, Ryan provides context on competitive dynamics in e‑commerce, the strategic appeal of gold as a safe‑haven asset, and the broader implications of energy‑supply disruptions.
Crude Surges 10%—Energy Stocks Diverge, Reversal Likely
While Crude remains more than 10% higher than last Friday's close in two trading sessions, stocks like Exxon $XOM are at lower levels from last Fri close after its steep runup. @IBDinvestors @marketsurge Similar to Gold stocks starting to...
Gujarat Gas Shares Plunge 4% After 50% Supply Cut to Industrial Users Amid Middle East Conflict: Report
Gujarat Gas announced a 50% cut in gas supplies to industrial customers after the US‑Iran conflict disrupted regasified LNG imports, sending its shares down 4% to Rs 382 on the BSE. The company, which sources roughly 70% of its gas from...
Norway Warns Gas Production Maxed Out Amid Qatar LNG Shutdown
Norway’s gas producers are operating at near‑full capacity as Europe scrambles for supply after the world’s largest LNG export terminal in Qatar was forced offline by an Iranian drone attack. The shutdown sent European spot gas prices soaring more than...
Iran Likely to Shut Hormuz Strait, Threatening Global Oil Supply
According to @Polymarket, there is a 67% chance that Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz by March 31. The probability has SOARED in the last few hours. 20% OF THE WORLD’S OIL, AND ~40% OF CHINA’S OIL, FLOWS THROUGH THE...
Copper Buy Day: Evening Play Peaks as Asia Opens
Copper: Buy Day on ROC... this market tends to have best play in evening when Asia opens. https://t.co/FzKo8M3xSH
Iran Conflict Could Turn Canada Into the Market’s Most Reliable Oil Supplier
Oil prices surged as Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, cutting 70‑80% of traffic. Brent crude rose above $80 per barrel for the first time since July 2024, while U.S. energy stocks outperformed the broader market. Analysts, led...
War‑Driven Oil Surge Threatens Gold Market Stability
The US-Iran war has driven up oil prices, stoking inflation fears and lifting yields alongside the dollar. Will this break the gold market? #GOLD #GoldPrice #USIranConflict #Dollar #Stocks #Markets #Macro #Trading https://t.co/ciFOGnfO6T
Farm Worries Crop up as Fertiliser Companies Fear a Gas Crunch
India faces a looming gas crunch after Qatar halted LNG production, jeopardising the primary feedstock for urea manufacturing. The country currently holds only about two months of buffer stocks for urea and DAP, and prolonged shortages could force local plants...
Atomic Eagle Sets Course for Growth as Uranium Feasibility Metrics Confirm 12-Year Muntanga Mine Life
Atomic Eagle announced a maiden ore reserve of 28 Mlb U3O8 at its Muntanga project in Zambia, backed by an independent engineering review of a feasibility study that confirms a 12‑year mine life. The study projects 25.3 Mlb total production, a 3.5‑year...
Oil Price Rise Might Push Peso Back to 59:$1
Rising crude prices, driven by the Iran‑Israel conflict, could push the Philippine peso past the 59 per‑dollar threshold. MUFG forecasts the PHP trading between 58.5 and 59.5 if oil steadies around $90 a barrel, while JP Morgan sees a modest global...
US to Insure Hormuz Tankers After Policies Canceled
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide war‑risk insurance for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz after commercial insurers pulled coverage. The move may be paired with U.S. naval escorts to safeguard tankers amid heightened regional tensions....
Americas MGO Prices Soar on US-Iran War
Marine gasoil (MGO) prices in the Americas surged toward $1,000 per metric tonne, marking the highest levels since October 2023. The rally follows the US‑Israel weekend attacks on Iran, which threaten the flow of middle‑distillates through the Strait of Hormuz....
US Shale Producers to Hold Capex, Output Steady in 2026
U.S. shale producers have signaled that 2026 capital expenditures will remain flat or dip slightly, while overall output is expected to stay level or edge higher after accounting for acquisitions, divestments, and the cyclical nature of multiyear upstream projects. The...
Iran Expands Attacks to Targets Outside Strait of Hormuz
Iran escalated its campaign against regional energy assets, deploying armed drones against the United Arab Emirates' main oil export hub and striking major ports in Oman. The attacks, which originated beyond the Strait of Hormuz, signal a widening of Tehran's...
China's Gas Output Expected to Rise Amid Shale Push
China’s domestic natural‑gas production is set to climb in the near term as the government backs unconventional shale projects. Analysts forecast a steady output rise, driven by new drilling licences and financial incentives. The push aims to offset growing demand...
LNG Prices Surge on Qatari Supply Disruption
LNG spot prices jumped sharply after a supply disruption in Qatar, one of the world’s largest exporters. In Northeast Asia, the price rose $1.75 week‑on‑week to $12.45 per MMBtu, while Southwest Europe saw a $5.05 increase to $14.75 per MMBtu....
Spot Prices Wrap: Bulls Wrest Control of Physical Natural Gas
Bulls have taken control of the physical natural gas market as spot prices showed mixed movement but futures advanced. Traders are looking past the early‑March shoulder season, focusing on colder weather forecasts and strong LNG export activity. Geopolitical tension from...
Precious Metals Drop Signals Upcoming Money Flow Shift
Precious metals are down today. This means a generational shift in the money flow. With all the war talk the money usually moves first and then we see the news. This is 100% signaling something:
Oil Prices Surge Higher as Market Adjusts Ceiling Scenarios
Brent crude rose to $85 per barrel on Tuesday, marking a notable surge amid heavy trading. The rally reflects market reaction to escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns over supply disruptions. Traders are now focusing on how constrained...
AMVAC Unveils New Rootworm Control Product at 2026 Commodity Classic
American Vanguard (AMVAC) highlighted its new Duro LQ product at the 2026 Commodity Classic, emphasizing its dual action against rootworms and nematodes. The company stressed its commitment to delivering proven, competitively priced solutions that boost farmer profitability, and noted that...
Feeder Cattle Mixed Waiting on Direct Trade
Live cattle futures closed about $1.02 higher, while feeder cattle slipped modestly, leaving the market mixed ahead of anticipated direct‑trade activity later in the week. Direct cash cattle trading was quiet on Tuesday, with no bids or offers surfacing. At...
Are Flex-Fuel Vehicles Making a Comeback?
Chevrolet is re‑launching flex‑fuel vehicles (FFVs) equipped with a 1.3‑liter engine, marking the first standard‑fit FFVs since 2026. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) highlights California’s dominant E85 market and urges other OEMs, including Toyota and Honda, to follow suit. Nationwide...
Projected Prices and Volatility Factors for 2026
The Risk Management Agency released 2026 projected prices and volatility factors for corn and soybeans after February’s price‑discovery period. Corn’s projected price fell to $4.62 per bushel, $0.08 below 2025, while soybean’s rose to $11.09, $0.55 higher than last year....
ExxonMobil Optimizing Assets to Offset Disruptions
ExxonMobil said its worldwide scale and diversified portfolio allow it to mitigate disruptions from the latest Middle East conflict. Senior vice president Jack Williams highlighted the company’s ability to shift feedstock and products using its trading arm and long‑term charter fleet....
US Gulf MR Freight Trades Just Under All-Time Highs
Freight rates for medium‑range tankers loading on the US Gulf coast surged as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz nearly stopped, prompting buyers to scramble for alternative diesel supplies. Chevron’s Europe‑bound voyage hit Worldscale 365 ($72.39 per tonne), while ATMI’s Caribbean...
Fastmarkets Changes the Timing of Its Ilmenite Cif China and Rutile Fob Australia Assessments
Fastmarkets announced that, effective March 5, its price assessments for ilmenite concentrate (cif China) and two rutile grades (fob Australia) will shift from a fortnightly to a monthly cadence. The change follows market feedback indicating that prices have been moving slowly...
Fastmarkets Clarifies Publishing Schedule for Iran Steel Billet, Slab Export Prices
Fastmarkets announced that it will not publish weekly export prices for Iran’s steel billet and slab during the seven‑day public holiday declared after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death. The delay follows the firm’s policy of suspending price releases when a...
Hyperliquid Gold Perps Front-Ran CME After Iran Strikes and the Monday Gap Exposed a New Weekend Leader
During the weekend of Feb. 28 Iran strikes, CME’s COMEX gold futures were closed for 48 hours, leaving a gap for macro‑risk pricing. Always‑on perpetual contracts on Hyperliquid and Binance stayed live, with Hyperliquid’s gold and silver perps trading at...
Gold Slides as Dollar Surges, Investors Unwind Safe‑haven Bets
Gold has dropped sharply amid the swell in volatility - whereas the Dollar has jumped. The metal is still a safe haven, but a lot of capital was deployed during its run up as a diversification play (and some as...
Crop Economics Lift Corteva Returns
Corteva posted a modest 1% revenue rise to $5.26 billion, driven by higher commodity prices that revived farmer economics and supported seed and crop‑protection sales. The company leveraged disciplined pricing and cost controls to expand gross margins and lift net income...
Critical Minerals in Focus as Major Toronto Mining Conference Underway – by Ian Bickis(CTV News Northern Ontario – March 2,...
The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, drawing over 27,000 attendees, has placed critical minerals at the forefront of its agenda. Industry leaders warned that geopolitical fragmentation is heightening supply‑chain vulnerability for metals such as copper,...
Technical Analysis Maps Levels; Market Decides the Outcome
Technical analysis isn't meant to be a prediction tool, but better used to show levels and momentum. Then it is up to Mr. Market to see how it trades. GC met the projected downside, but it did not have...
Oil Levels Dictate Market Peaks During Exogenous Shocks
Updated chart of our 1-variable stock market. This is how markets behave during exogenous shocks - stocks need oil to peak. Aftermath eco forecasts rarely matter. Same thing happened last year, but with trade uncertainty. Need something to the...
Overlooked Tharisa, a PGM Bull Market Bridesmaid
Tharisa Resources has seen a 105% year‑on‑year rally but still lags larger PGM peers, trading at a deep discount despite strong fundamentals. The market penalises the stock for liquidity constraints and uncertainty around financing the Karo Platinum project. Spot PGM...
Iran Conflict Spurs Gas Prices Near $3.5 Threshold
My friend and renowned oil expert Javier Blas has it right. ONE OF THE COSTS OF THE NETANYAHU-TRUMP WAR ON IRAN = A GAS PRICE SURGE. https://t.co/cnsDUpCpbY
RBOB Contract Roll Added 25¢ to Gasoline Price
Gasoline prices... remember the March-April RBOB contract roll was +25 cents on its own https://t.co/WAOPFvCQdz
Lawmakers Push for Elimination of Indian Duties on US Cotton Amid Stalled Trade Deal
A bipartisan group of House members led by Rep. Jodey Arrington sent a letter to USTR Jamieson Greer urging the removal of India’s 11% tariff on U.S. cotton as a priority in the pending U.S.–India trade talks. They cite the...
Oil Approaches Its Most Bullish Season Yet
We are nearing oil's most bullish time of year. $CL_F $USO $WTIC More from me on @stockcharts: https://t.co/2c4CuouCWe https://t.co/o1k2jBw7MM
Brent Oil Slides, Yet Likely Peaks Before Midterms
December 2026 Brent crude oil is down on the day. It will near top step by the Midterms. Higher or lower by then? My bias is lower https://t.co/bu6WD5MAw6
Black Gold Rush: USO Call Options Surge on Iran Crisis
Bullish traders bought 2,000 USO March 20 84‑call contracts on Feb 26, just before the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The closure halted roughly 20 % of global seaborne oil, sending Brent up 13 %...
Oil Market May Be Overly Complacent, New Analysis Shows
Is the oil market too complacent right now? New @axios piece explores the question. #OOTT #energy (1/2)
Corn Poised for $18 Breakout Amid Hot Wheat, Soy
$CORN Weekly. Wheat and Soybeans have been hot. But watch corn fund for long-term base bottom breakout above $18. Big-time input for broad economy https://t.co/yPBIFa6GwG
Shorter Commodity Cycles Reshaping Trading, Value: McKinsey
McKinsey’s latest commodity trading report warns that volatility cycles are shortening, diminishing the relevance of traditional super‑cycle models. Trading revenues slipped to $69 billion in 2025, yet remain about twice pre‑pandemic levels, establishing a higher baseline. The firm highlights AI and...
Metal Volatility Drives XME Off 50‑SMA, Gaps Down
Beautiful move yesterday off 50sma, gap down below it today. $XME Metal volatility never disappoints https://t.co/XWFZZ8XFWH
European Gas Trades over Five Times U.S., Inventory Crunch.
European natural gas is trading at >5x US natural gas prices. Last time this was the case was August 2024. $EQT $AR $RRC $CRK $CNX $EXE https://t.co/f1wU8S3w6b
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Lift Freight Rates for Aluminium, Bauxite, Zinc, Lead and Lithium; Limited Fallout in China
Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have sharply lifted crude oil prices and triggered a surge in freight rates for key non‑ferrous commodities. Major carriers such as MSC, Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd have suspended Middle East bookings and imposed War...
Soybean Price Below 11.64 May Signal Downside
Upper Keltner for #soybeans right here at 11.64. Close below that would probably allow for a little more follow through to the downside. Feels like we are moving more to risk off VS buy everything because oils inflationary....
Current Gold Bull Market Shortest, Still Room to Grow
I showed yesterday the duration of major #gold bull markets and that the current one is the shortest on record—it would also be the lowest percent gain, more evidence we've go a long way to go... https://t.co/nMauHEtp2A
China's Mineral Dominance Exposes Western Strategic Failure
China won the mineral war. Two new books show how the West let it happen Read more here: https://t.co/9ofBAHFGLx https://t.co/Qa5SYQX6Dg