Today's Commodities Pulse
Updated 3h ago
Oil breaches $100 as US readies Hormuz blockade, Goldman Sachs profits surge
Brent crude climbed to $102.31 per barrel as the United States prepared a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation pushed WTI above $100, reigniting concerns over supply disruptions. Goldman Sachs reported a 48% jump in investment‑banking fees, posting a net profit of $5.63 bn for Q1.
In Philippines, LPG Price Shock Reaches Bottom of Beloved Beef Stew Bowls
The Philippines’ reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has turned costly after the Middle‑East war, with an 11 kg tank soaring from 870 pesos (≈$14.5) to 1,600 pesos (≈$26.7), an 84% jump. Street‑food vendors like Eric Garcia now charge 65 pesos (≈$1.08) per bowl of beef stew, cutting into earnings that already lost a quarter to fuel. Rising LPG and diesel prices have pushed overall food inflation in March to nearly double the previous month’s rate, prompting customers to tighten budgets. Vendors fear further price hikes will drive patrons to cheaper alternatives or packed lunches.
Rising Fuel, Fertilizer Costs Threaten Crops and Prices
A farmer in Western Australia was playing sports with colleagues when news of the Iran war broke. Minutes later they were on their phones, scrambling to secure fuel. Read how surging fuel and fertilizer costs are forcing tough crop decisions and...
Gold, Silver Prices Today: Check Retail Rates of 24K, 22K Gold, 999 Silver in Mumbai, Delhi, Other Cities on 12...
India’s retail gold prices remained largely unchanged on April 12, 2026, with 24‑karat gold trading around ₹152,900 per 10 g (≈ $1,840) and 22‑karat gold near ₹140,100 per 10 g (≈ $1,690) across major cities. Silver 999 fine was priced at roughly ₹244,000 per...
Vietnam Cuts All Fuel Taxes to Zero Through June
Vietnam's National Assembly approved a zero‑tax regime for gasoline, diesel, kerosene, mazut and aviation fuel from April 16 through June 30, eliminating VAT, environmental protection tax and special consumption tax. The move cuts state‑budget revenues by roughly VND 7.3 trillion (about $277 million) each month...
Gold Surges as US–Iran Ceasefire Weakens US Dollar and Fuels Safe Haven Demand
Gold rallied sharply after the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire announcement, pushing the metal higher as the dollar slipped about 1% to a four‑week low. The move reflects heightened safe‑haven demand amid lingering geopolitical uncertainty and softer U.S. economic data, including 0.5% Q4...
Macquarie Ups Near‑Term Copper, Lithium Forecasts Amid Strong Financial Flows
Macquarie raised near-term copper and lithium forecasts as financial flows continue to outweigh soft physical signals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/macquarie-near-term-copper-outlook.html
House Reso Filed as State Economist Flags 'Excessive' Oil Margins
Philippines’ Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that oil‑industry margins appear excessive amid a global price shock, prompting a House probe. House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima filed Resolution 914 to task the Energy Committee with investigating diesel and...
Commodity Traders Lost ‘Billions’ in Early Days of Iran War
Commodity traders incurred multi‑billion‑dollar losses during the initial weeks of the Iran‑Israel conflict that erupted in early 2024. The sharp drop in oil prices and heightened market volatility erased large speculative positions, especially in crude futures and related derivatives. Analysts...
Oil's 64% Six‑Week Surge Reveals Hidden Market Signal
Oil just did a 64% roundtrip in 6 weeks and here is what nobody is talking about.
Australia in No Position to Ease Asian Gas Crunch, Data Shows
Australia’s LNG export terminals are operating at near‑full capacity—Queensland at 94.6% and Western Australia at 98%—leaving little room to increase shipments to Asia. A new energy‑security pact with Singapore guarantees refined fuel imports for Australia while Australia re‑affirms steady LNG...
Corn Futures Slip for Second Week, Hinting at Market Roll Over
Corn futures posted a bearish lower weekly close for the second straight week, falling 11.25 cents, while July contracts slipped 34 cents from their March peak. Analysts cite excess supply, waning war‑driven demand and speculative exits as drivers of the...
Tin Prices Surge in 2026 as Supply Constraints and Tech Demand Tighten Market
Tin prices have surged in 2026, driven by a tight supply base concentrated in unstable regions and accelerating demand from the electronics sector. The combination of geopolitical risk, a depleted mine base and limited new projects is reshaping the tin...
Shell Flags $10‑15 B Cash‑flow Squeeze in Q1 as Oil Prices Plunge 14%
Shell warned that its first‑quarter working capital will be hit by a $10‑15 billion shortfall, driven by a 14% drop in Brent crude to $94 a barrel after a US‑Iran ceasefire announcement. The oil major’s downstream division posted record refining margins,...
How Philippines Compares with ASEAN Neighbors During Oil Shocks
The Philippines is markedly more exposed to global oil price spikes than its ASEAN peers because it imports virtually all of its crude and lacks significant refining capacity. Neighboring economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam each have...
Global Free Float Of Silver Remains Tight While Chinese Silver Premium Remains Above 12%
The latest free‑float data shows global silver available to market has climbed to 190.8 million ounces, up from 157 million ounces a month earlier. London’s free‑float rose after exchange‑traded‑fund holdings fell by 14 million ounces, while New York’s COMEX registered vault stock remains a...
Produce Season’s Prodigal Return
Tender rejection rates in Fresno’s refrigerated market have surged from under 4% in early March to above 14% within a month, the highest since June 2023. USDA spot rates for produce shipments from central California to Chicago have climbed roughly...
Oil Futures Slip Into Backwardation as Persian Gulf Tensions Threaten Hormuz Flow
Oil futures shifted into backwardation on April 9 as tensions in the Persian Gulf raised fears of a short‑term choke‑point in the Strait of Hormuz. The curve shift reflects market belief that the disruption will be temporary, while equity investors...
Oil Price Surge Pushes Manganese Mining Costs Up 8%
Manganese producers in South Africa and Gabon are seeing cash costs climb as much as 8.2% after global oil prices spiked following the recent Middle East war. The cost pressure threatens profitability for high‑cost operations and could reshape the metal’s...
Satellite Images Show Iran Keeping Strait of Hormuz Effectively Closed Despite Cease‑Fire Talks
Satellite imagery released by Reuters and independent analysts shows Iran restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz to just a few ships per day, even as diplomatic talks in Islamabad aim to cement a cease‑fire. The bottleneck threatens 20% of...
Gold Slides 12% in March, Marking Worst Monthly Drop Since 2013
The World Gold Council reported that gold fell 12% in March to $4,608 per ounce, its weakest month since June 2013. Momentum factors—massive ETF outflows, a COMEX net‑long unwind and a price‑trend reversal—were identified as the primary drivers, underscoring a...
Oil Surge Triggers BOJ Hikes, Gold Targets New Highs
Domino Theory fourth iteration published on YouTube. Oil spike catalyst forces Bank of Japan rate hikes. Gold/silver retest previous all-time highs before continuing. Gold-oil peg ratio stabilizes currencies. Supply shock required for three-four digits.
Offshore Drilling, Fewer Refinery Closures Could Lower California Gas Prices
Maybe just maybe if allowed offshore drilling and your looney tunes laws didn’t force so many refineries to close then gas in California wouldn’t be $6 you donut hole.
How Iran’s Dark Fleet Is Quietly Keeping Oil Markets Afloat
Iran’s “dark fleet” of opaque tankers is quietly sustaining oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz despite a visible collapse of more than 90% in regulated traffic. By using shell‑company ownership, AIS deactivation and ship‑to‑ship transfers, Iran moves roughly 1.5‑1.7 million...
Panicked Barrel Rush Fuels Global Oil Market Turmoil
A panicked race for barrels is gripping the global oil market https://t.co/BFDckZshjd via @yongchang_chin @Bill_Lehane https://t.co/TY5ixVnnec
US‑Iran Talks Stall; European Gas Market Goes 21‑hour
The US and Iran fail to reach a deal after marathon talks in Pakistan ⚠️ 👀 All eyes will be on the European gas market, which for the first time will open early in Asia on Monday (in 19 hours) TTF...
Fuel Price Surge Pushes Summer 2026 Travelers Toward Shorter Trips and New Fees
A sharp jump in jet fuel prices, with Brent crude back above $100 a barrel, has forced airlines to raise baggage fees, add fuel surcharges and trim schedules. The cost pressure is reshaping summer 2026 vacation planning, nudging travelers toward...
India Tackles Fuel Shortage with Export Tax, Not Ban
🇮🇳Several countries, including China, banned exports of petroleum products. India is doing the same using a different approach. India Raises Export Tax on Diesel, Jet Fuel Amid Energy Crisis
San Francisco Fed President Daly Says Oil Price Shock Will Push Back Inflation Reduction Timeline
In a Reuters interview, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said the recent surge in oil prices will delay the Federal Reserve’s plan to bring inflation down to 2%, shifting expectations for rate cuts and underscoring the Fed’s sensitivity to...
Iran Proposes Transit Fee for Strait of Hormuz, Sparking Oil‑Price Concerns
Iran has signaled it will continue collecting transit fees from ships passing the Strait of Hormuz as part of its 10‑point peace proposal. The move, discussed in talks in Islamabad, raises the prospect of higher transport costs for crude and...
Oil Climbs 1% to $98.6 as Markets Brace for US‑Iran Peace Talks
Oil prices rose 1% to $98.6 a barrel and Brent steadied near $96 as traders await high‑stakes US‑Iran peace talks in Islamabad. The price move reflects market anxiety over the Hormuz choke point and the looming U.S. CPI report, while...
Jet Fuel Premium Hits Record, 68% Above Brent
New record for the Singapore jet fuel premium versus spot Brent. Jet fuel in Asia now trades 68% above Brent. Physical crude matters more than paper crude & Refined products matter even more, because the global economy runs on refined...
Brent Futures Lag Physical Oil, Gap Set to Close
The futures price for Brent crude is around $109/bbl. But physical oil is trading closer to $145/bbl. THAT'S AN UNSUALLY LARGE PRICE GAP. THE FUTURES MARKET WILL EVENTUALLY BE MUGGED BY REALITY, AND THE GAP WILL BE CLOSED. https://t.co/XVXx6bRg9Z
Rare‑Earth Funding Surge Raises Specter of 2030s Glut
Governments and private investors are committing billions of dollars to rare‑earth mining and processing projects outside China, aiming to secure supply chains for defense and clean‑tech. Analysts warn that the rapid build‑out, especially in U.S. magnet capacity, could outpace demand...
Scarcity Cycles to Glut: Tight Oil Market Warning
After every period of scarcity comes a glut. Every.Single.Time... Remember that when watching a tight oil market currently
Easter Week Triggers Broad Energy Price Collapse
Third Gulf War — energy impact: (week-on-week; Apr 2 to Apr 9 due to Easter) Dated Brent oil: ⬇️ -10.9% (physical,no futures) WTI crude oil: ⬇️ -13.4% TTF EU nat gas: ...
World Bank Warns Middle East War Could Shave 1% Off Global Growth, Hit Emerging Markets
World Bank President Ajay Banga warned that the Iran‑Israel war could cut global GDP growth by as much as one percentage point and lift inflation in emerging economies to as high as 6.7%. The bank’s latest forecasts now see growth...
European Energy Traders Brace for 21‑Hour Volatility Surge
Europe energy traders brace for 21-hour day as volatility surges https://t.co/lLXIQjQymB via @priazrocha @MaznevaElena https://t.co/BPlqCQG5sx
Rail Grain Shipments Hit 1993 Peak, Driven by Exports
Rail grain shipments have surged this year, hitting the highest levels since 1993, all thanks to exports.
Occidental Petroleum Shares Surge on Iran‑War Oil Rally
Occidental Petroleum’s shares climbed to a 52‑week high of $67.45, roughly a 60% gain this year, as the Iran conflict lifted crude prices above $80 per barrel. The rally is reinforced by a fresh oil discovery at the Bandit prospect...
Silver Surges Over 5% to $76.70 on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire, Reviving Industrial Demand
Silver jumped more than 5% to $76.70 per ounce on April 8, its highest level since March 18, after the United States and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire. The truce eased energy‑driven inflation worries, softened rate‑rise expectations and highlighted...
Why the PCC Must Act on Oil Prices Now
Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that the Philippines' oil market is effectively colluding, as weekly price changes move in lockstep across firms. The 1998 Downstream Oil Deregulation Law left the Department of Energy powerless to intervene directly, creating a regulatory...
Forties Blend at $147: The North Sea Physical Crude Signal That Exposes Hormuz Supply Friction Long After the Ceasefire
Forties Blend, the North Sea spot crude benchmark, spiked to $147 per barrel on April 10, 2026, creating a $50 premium over Brent futures. The record premium reflects lingering logistical constraints around the Strait of Hormuz despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire,...
Silver Poised for Bounce to 88.84 Amid Bear Market
$Silver - The bounce out of the March low should continue into late April. The target could be as high as the 78.6% retracement of the March down leg at 88.84. Overall, it's just another bounce in a developing bear...
Brent Front‑month Crashes, 12‑month Spread Narrows
Brent futures 12-month spread narrowed $16.45 (48%) 6-month spread widened $15.36 (54%) for the week ending April 10 Front-month price fell $13.83 (13%) from $109.03 to $95.20 #energy #OOTT #oilandgas #WTI #CrudeOil #fintwit #OPEC #Commodities #commoditiesmarket https://t.co/gqclIvmfUr
A Panicked Race for Barrels Grips the Global Oil Market
Traders in the North Sea submitted 40 bids for physical crude last week, but only four offers materialized, forcing spot cargoes to change hands at record‑high prices above $140 a barrel. The scramble for immediate supplies has spilled into distant...
Gold Poised to Rise to 5028‑5280 by Late April
$Gold - The bounce out of the March low should continue into late April. The target is the 61.8%-78.6% retracement of the late January to late March downtrend at 5028-5280. https://t.co/YIo7oWw7FV
West Asia Tensions Push up Costs for India; Further Impact Hinges on Stability: Report
India’s trade with West Asia totals $220 billion in FY 25, but imports—especially energy—far outpace exports, creating a sizable deficit. Ongoing tensions in the region have already lifted logistics costs and inflation, with the report estimating that each $10 per barrel rise...
Gold Rate Today, 11 April 2026: MCX Gold Logs 2% Weekly Gain on US-Iran Ceasefire Buzz. Is It the Right...
Gold prices rose this week as US‑Iran cease‑fire talks eased geopolitical risk and weakened the dollar. MCX gold closed at ₹152,690 per 10 gm (≈$1,840), up 2% from ₹149,650 (≈$1,803) a week earlier, while COMEX gold gained nearly 3% to $4,787...
Govt Hikes Export Duty on Diesel to ₹55.5/litre; ATF to ₹42/Litre From Today — Check Details
On 11 April 2026 the Indian government raised the windfall export duty on diesel to ₹55.5 per litre (about $0.67) and on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to ₹42 per litre (about $0.51), effective immediately. The hike follows an earlier increase in...
Historic Drought Threatens Myrrh Supply, Risking Luxury Perfume Chains
Researchers warned that an unprecedented drought in Ethiopia's Somali region is slashing myrrh resin output, a raw material that fuels luxury perfumes priced up to $500 a bottle. The shortfall threatens both global fragrance brands and the fragile economies of...
