Today's Commodities Pulse
Lower‑48 gas producers expand output despite storage surplus
U.S. lower‑48 natural‑gas operators are adding production capacity even though storage inventories remain in surplus, according to NGI. At the same time, spot prices are climbing as summer temperatures rise and LNG demand increases.
Also developing:
By the numbers: M Battery Materials acquires graphite assets for $20M
Travel Experts Warn Summer Vacationers of Higher Prices and Flight Uncertainty
Travel experts say summer vacationers should brace for rising ticket prices, reduced flight availability and greater schedule disruptions as the jet‑fuel market tightens amid the ongoing Iran war, prompting travelers to adjust budgets and consider alternative plans.
India’s March Crude Oil Imports Lowest in 5 Years as West Asia Conflict Chokes Key Transit Route
India’s crude oil imports fell to 18.9 million tonnes in March, the lowest level in five years, as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted about 30 % of cargoes that normally transit the route. Imports dropped 2.6 % month‑on‑month and...
Fed Raises March Inflation Forecast, Delaying Near‑Term Rate‑Cut Hopes
The Federal Reserve quietly lifted its March inflation projection, signaling stronger‑than‑expected price pressures. The revision, coupled with fresh energy‑price shocks, has pushed back market expectations for the next interest‑rate cut and revived worries about the Fed’s credibility.
Iran‑Israel‑US War Cuts Over $50 Bn of Oil Output, Raising Global Stagflation Risks
The Iran‑Israel‑US war has removed more than 500 million barrels of crude and condensate from the market, erasing roughly $50 bn in revenue. The loss threatens to push import‑dependent economies into stagflation as oil prices surge and trade balances deteriorate.
SBI Forecasts India’s FY27 GDP at 6.8‑7.1% Amid Oil Shock and Geopolitical Tensions
State Bank of India’s research arm projects India’s FY27 GDP growth at 6.8‑7.1% despite a sharp Brent crude rally to $90 a barrel and ongoing West Asia tensions. The outlook builds on FY26’s 7.6% expansion, modest inflation expectations and a...
Trump's Energy Boss: Gas May Stay Above $3-per-Gallon Into 2027
U.S. average gasoline prices have hovered around $4 per gallon, with a recent high of $4.16, according to AAA data. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN that prices likely peaked and could dip below $3 per gallon, but not until...
Energy Prices Set to Floor as Cheap Oil Ends
An important reminder for the weekend: The oil-to-gold ratio remains near historically low levels, and the era of cheap energy is likely coming to an end. It’s hard to imagine countries not becoming far more aggressive in building strategic reserves after the...
JD.com Gold Prices Jump to 1,134 RMB/Gram
Physical gold bars on JD.com the Chinese retailer have surged this weekend, from 1,092 RMB to 1,134RMB/g, equivalent to $4,980 to $5,171 per ounce.
3 Oil Stocks to Watch After Trump's Raid in Venezuela
U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026, sparking speculation of a revival in Venezuela’s oil output. The country holds roughly 303 billion barrels, about 17% of global reserves, and crude prices rose 1% as investors eyed a potential...
TLT Outperforms USO Tenfold Amid Oil Price Shifts
Is TLT vs. USO a 10x? From the 2018 low to 2020 high, TLT advanced about 10x vs. USO (total return). From the 2008 low to this year's nadir so far, TLT/USO is up about 10x (was up roughly 130x to...
Shockwaves: How an Energy Crisis Spreads Across Commodities
A geopolitical flare‑up in the Strait of Hormuz has knocked out roughly 17% of global LNG capacity—about 12‑13 million tonnes per year—creating a multi‑year supply squeeze. The disruption ripples into aluminum, where gas shortages and physical damage delay output for six...
Gas Prices May Not Drop Below $3 a Gallon Until Next Year: Energy Secretary Wright
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a House subcommittee that gasoline prices, which have risen to an average of $4.04 per gallon since the February 28 war with Iran, are unlikely to fall below $3 per gallon until next year....
How the AI Boom Is Fueling the US Copper Race
The surge in AI‑driven electricity use is turning copper into a strategic bottleneck for the United States. Domestic production has stalled, forcing reliance on imports while demand is projected to rise over 40% by 2040. Projects like Rio Tinto’s Resolution Mine...
Silver Futures Hold $80‑$82 Range as Bullish Momentum Builds, Options Traders Eye $83 Breakout
Silver futures for April 2026 have remained confined to an $80‑$82 per ounce band while the metal surged 4‑6% this week. Analysts say a test of the $83 level could trigger heightened activity in both futures and options contracts, as...
Iranian Gunboats Fire on Tanker as Strait of Hormuz Closed, Threatening Global Oil Flow
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy fired on a tanker and re‑imposed a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, reversing a brief reopening. The move halted passage for vessels carrying roughly 20% of world oil, prompting India to summon...
Trump‑Led Iran Conflict Boosts Stock Crash Odds as Fuel Prices Surge
A new analysis finds the likelihood of a U.S. stock‑market crash climbing as President Donald Trump’s war with Iran spikes oil prices to $4.16 per gallon. Higher energy costs are feeding inflation, forcing the Federal Reserve into a tighter stance...
China’s Gold Demand Quantified
China’s gold accumulation strategy, launched by the People’s Bank of China in 1983 and continued through 2002, has built a massive reserve that far exceeds official figures. Recent spikes in bullion prices, driven by weakening fiat currencies, are prompting Chinese...
Global Shock Feared as Iran Tightens Grip on Hormuz, Qatar Says Impact “Not Far Away”
Qatar’s finance minister warned that Iran’s tightening grip on the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a broader energy and commodity shock within months. The narrow waterway carries about one‑fifth of global energy supplies, a third of fertilizer trade and supports...
Malaysia's Fuel Crisis: Import Reliance Contradicts Official Optimism
The Prime Minister of Malaysia says 85% of Malaysians aren’t affected by the fuel crisis. The MOF says Malaysia consumes 700,000 barrels a day and produces 350,000. It imports the rest — and nearly 40% of those imports travel through...
Big 25,180 Head Online Catalogue Includes 61pc From Seasonally-Challenged Northern NSW Region
AuctionsPlus listed 25,180 head of cattle on Friday, with 61% of the inventory coming from the seasonally‑challenged northern NSW region. Steer prices showed modest gains, with the 200–280 kg class averaging 536 c/kg (≈$0.035 USD/kg) and the 280–330 kg class edging up to 506 c/kg....
India’s LPG Consumption Drops 12.8% in March as West Asia Turmoil Disrupts Supply
India’s LPG consumption dropped 12.8% in March, falling to 2.379 million tonnes, as West Asia tensions disrupted imports that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Household demand slipped 8.1% while non‑domestic and bulk usage plunged 48% and 75.5% respectively. The government...
How 50 Days of the Iran War Led to the Loss of $50 Billion Worth of Oil
The Iran‑Israel war has knocked roughly 500 million barrels of crude and condensate off the market in just 50 days, erasing about $50 billion in revenue at $100 per barrel. Production in Gulf Arab states fell by 8 million barrels per day in March,...
Aluminium Prices at Record Highs: What’s Driving the Rally and What’s Next?
Aluminium prices have surged to a four‑year high on the London Metal Exchange, touching a record ₹375 per kilogram (about $4.5) in India. The rally followed an initial dip after the US‑Iran conflict, rebounding as supply concerns and robust demand...
China Stockpiles Cheap Russian Oil; India Overpays
China's Q1 Russian crude imports hit a record high — way above past levels. Thanks to Indian refiners yielding to Trump’s pressure and cutting back, Beijing was stockpiling that oil on the cheap. Is this important? Yes, China is energy-secured. India...
Bangladesh Raises Fuel Prices as Iran War Drives up Costs
Bangladesh announced a 10‑15% increase in retail fuel prices, raising petrol to 135 taka (about $1.10) per litre and diesel to 115 taka. The hike reflects soaring global crude costs and supply disruptions linked to the seven‑week‑old Iran‑Israel conflict. The...
Oil Near $200, Likely Stays Until Crash
Just to be safe you assume oil prices can never get to $200 @awealthofcs Just to be safe, I'm going to assume you are an energy blind idiot Prices already are at or near $200 on the cash market. And there's...
Hormuz Disruption Could Push Oil Above $130, Trigger Demand Collapse
MS: Tail Risks Would Drive Oil Into Demand Destruction Territory A prolonged disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would require oil prices to rise into demand destruction territory, historically above of $130 Distribution of Inflation-Adjusted Oil Prices https://t.co/Hw1dB85crz
If We Net Export Oil, Why Are Gas Prices Going Up?
Although the United States now exports more oil than it imports, gasoline prices have surged because a sizable share of the crude fed to U.S. refineries still comes from abroad. Roughly 40% of the feedstock is imported, and many refineries...
Burger Prices Surge, Imports Rise, Exports Fall.
"Burgers approach luxury territory as beef prices remain high" https://t.co/kxMtibg3NB "Imports are rising to fill the gap, while exports are falling as domestic supply tightens." https://t.co/U23joP278Z
Oil Experts Wrong: Dated Brent Drops $20 Overnight
Most oil "experts" are industry shills. They told us that Dated Brent can't fall because the physical shortage is too great. Well, Dated Brent fell $20 in one day on Friday. The stuff from these guys is just scare-mongering. Same...
Netherlands Triggers First Phase of Oil Crisis Plan as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Spike
The Dutch cabinet activated the first phase of its national oil crisis plan on Monday, placing the country at level 1 of a four‑stage response. The move follows renewed Iranian interference in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries roughly...
India's IOC Logs Second‑largest Weekly Russian Crude Imports
🇮🇳 India’s IOC just recorded the second-highest weekly volume of Russian crude imports ever — only behind the record set in third week of June 2023 https://t.co/slsuYNxtUf
Brent Drops $4.80, Sliding Below $91 This Week
Brent futures price fell $4.82 from $95.20 to $90.38 week ending April 17 This too shall pass #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/JxUzi7LcJW
Oil Prices Drop Over 9% as Iran Keeps Hormuz Open, Easing Supply‑Chain Fears
Oil benchmarks plunged more than 9% on Friday after Iran announced commercial vessels could continue transiting the Strait of Hormuz, easing geopolitical risk and lowering freight costs. Brent settled at $90.38 a barrel, while WTI fell to $83.85, marking the...
WTI Crude Plummets 13% as Trump Misstates Hormuz
WTI futures price fell $12.72 (13%) from $96.57 to $83.85 week ending April 17 Trump's Thursday lie about Hormuz being open will backfire on Monday #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/m98itzORTg
One‑Third of WA Miners Halt Exploration Over Fuel Costs
One-third of WA miners freeze exploration programs as high fuel prices bite, according to AMEC survey https://t.co/PixWo2BS6s
U.S. Pushes for More Namibian Uranium to Power AI-Driven Nuclear Plants
The United States is considering a significant increase in uranium imports from Namibia to supply AI‑driven nuclear power plants. Ambassador John Giordano said the move could involve new mining output backed by American financing, a shift that challenges China’s current...
Commodity Surge Boosts Norway, Canada, Australia and NZ Currencies Over Dollar
A spike in commodity prices linked to the Middle East war has propelled the currencies of Norway, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ahead of the U.S. dollar. Reuters analysis notes these four “commodity currencies” are among the top two performers...
IEA Warns of Fuel Price Surge as Southeast Asia Rushes $1.5 Bn Renewable Build‑out
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the ongoing fuel crisis is the "largest energy security threat in history," prompting Southeast Asian governments to fast‑track renewable projects worth more than $1.5 billion. The region is adding solar, hydro, wind and pumped‑storage capacity...
Sofia Commodity Exchange Reports Stable Food Prices Amid Grain Trading Gap
The Sofia Commodity Exchange (SCE) reported unchanged staple food prices but a widening seller‑buyer gap in milling wheat contracts, with sellers at €190 per tonne and buyers at €175. Feed wheat saw only demand interest, and propane‑butane gas trades closed...
Delta Faces $2.5B Jet Fuel Bill Amid Price Surge
Due to fuel prices DOUBLING in the past month, Delta Airlines will spend an extra $2.5 BILLION on jet fuel this quarter. AIRLINES SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO TRUMP AND NETANYAHU. https://t.co/KgseZIFAPm
Strait Disruption Could Drop 2026 Oil Demand Below IEA Forecast
The @IEA projects that the world would use ~104 million barrels per day in 2026. With the disruption in the disruption in the Strait we are already predicted to go down to an average of 100mbpd for 2026-- maybe lower.🧵
Mangosteen Prices Surpass Durian in Malaysia Amid Farming Shift
In Malaysia, mangosteen prices have risen to about RM20 ($4.40) per kilogram, overtaking the Musang King durian, which fell to RM16.80 ($3.70) per kilogram. The shift is driven by expanding durian plantations—up from 163,000 acres in 2016 to over 227,000...
From Friday High Fives to Monday Morning Blues ?
A sharp oil rally over the weekend was driven more by trader positioning and flow dynamics than by any genuine improvement in fundamentals. The sudden shift from an open to a threatened Strait of Hormuz forced the market to price...
U.S. Extends Russian Oil Waiver as Central Bank Reprices Ruble, Dollar, Euro and Yuan
The U.S. Treasury renewed a license allowing purchases of Russian oil cargoes through May 16, easing global supply concerns. At the same time, the Russian central bank cut the official dollar and yuan rates and lifted the euro rate, pushing...
Hormuz Reopening Sends Brent Below $90, Triggers Dollar’s Third Weekly Loss and Pounds Weakening
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz drove Brent crude futures 10% lower to under $90 a barrel, sparking the U.S. dollar’s third consecutive weekly decline and a 1.2% slide in the pound. Traders see the move as a catalyst...
Nickel Futures Hit $18,550/T as Indonesia Tightens Export Quotas
Nickel futures surged to around $18,550 per tonne, the strongest level in three months, after Indonesia announced a tighter export quota and a new ore pricing formula. The move lifted the cost floor for upstream producers, pushing prices up 4.8%...
Hormuz Reopen Fuels US Stock Rally, Nasdaq Extends 13-Day Streak
Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, triggering a surge in US stock futures. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% and the Nasdaq logged a 13‑day winning streak, while crude oil tumbled more than 10% to about $81 per...
Analyst Anne Ashworth Urges Investors to Add Oil Stocks as Iran Conflict Fuels Price Surge
Analyst Anne Ashworth is advising investors to increase exposure to major oil companies after the Iran conflict pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel. She cites recent price volatility, private‑investor buying on Etoro and forecasts from Morgan Stanley that suggest...
Ghana Braces for Oil‑Price Shock Amid Stronger Macro Foundations
Ghana's economy confronts a fresh oil‑price shock from Middle East tensions, but enters the storm with a 14% policy rate, Treasury bills under 5%, inflation below target and higher reserves. Analysts say the stronger macro backdrop could blunt the impact...