
OPEC+ agrees to modest oil quota increase amid Middle East war
OPEC+ members agreed in principle to raise oil production quotas for May by roughly 206,000 barrels per day. Saudi Arabia and Russia led the video‑conference decision as the conflict in the Middle East constrains output and shipments. Delegates said the move signals alliance cohesion despite the geopolitical shock.
Also developing:
Canadian miner Taseko Mines announced its Florence Copper operation in Arizona has produced its first copper cathodes, the first new US copper output from a greenfield project since 2008. The electrowinning plant began commercial operations in late February, positioning Florence to become the third‑largest US copper cathode producer once it reaches its 85 million‑pound annual capacity. Over a 22‑year mine life, the project is slated to deliver at least 1.5 billion pounds of LME Grade A copper, all of which will stay in the United States. The facility also pioneers in‑situ copper recovery, a lower‑cost, environmentally friendlier extraction method.

Shippers including Maersk, Hapag‑Lloyd and CMA CGM have halted Suez Canal transits as the United States and Israel intensify conflict with Iran, fearing renewed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Egypt estimates a $9 billion loss in transit fees, with canal revenues...

Asia can currently absorb the recent oil‑price surge, but the region’s heavy reliance on imported energy makes it vulnerable if prices stay high. Japan and the Philippines source almost 90% of their oil from the Middle East, while China and...
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reviewed crude, LPG and petroleum product supplies as Iran‑Israel tensions heightened global energy volatility. Brent crude surged to roughly $82 a barrel, prompting concerns over the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint that carries about...

Explaining the X post from last night for those who don't know my style: Gold price RIGHT NOW is where it was when I posted this LAST NIGHT Several things: 1. I poke Schiff whenever I get the chance bc he does...

Malaysia's national oil company Petronas reported a 2025 profit after tax of MYR 45.4 billion ($11.6 bn), down from MYR 55.1 billion in 2024. The decline reflects lower sales volumes, Brent prices under $70 per barrel, and the divestment of its 74% stake in Engen...
The United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran, triggering a sharp rise in global oil prices. Brent crude surged 13% before settling 8.5% higher, marking its biggest daily jump in nearly three years. The conflict has halted...

Corn, soybeans and wheat opened the month with firm trade but moved to mixed pricing as the night session progressed. Market focus shifted to geopolitics after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting risk‑led buying and sharp...
Chinese authorities announced a dramatic cut to the anti‑dumping duty on Canadian canola seed, lowering it to 5.9% from the 75.8% rate imposed in August 2025. Including China’s standard 9% import levy, the effective tariff becomes 14.9%, a figure the...

Israel’s Energy and Infrastructure Minister ordered a security‑driven suspension of production at the offshore Leviathan gas field, prompting Chevron to declare force majeure. The pause halts the field’s 12 billion cubic metres per year output, which supplies Israel, Egypt and Jordan,...

When everyone was panic selling Gold on 1st Feb, we did the opposite. We clearly said in our Premium Community — “This is not a panic zone. It's a buy-on-dip opportunity.” Nippon Gold Bees: Shared at ₹117, Made a high of ₹142(~21% profit...

Indian buyers are likely to face higher prices for pistachios, figs and raisins as the Gulf crisis shuts key Iranian and Afghan export routes. Pistachio prices have risen about ₹100 per kilogram, while figs are up a similar amount and...
Prolonged tension in the Middle East. Rising oil prices, if sustained, and a weaker Rand. Add the increased fuel levies announced in the budget speech on top of macro concerns, and taking the governor’s conservative nature and the new 3% inflation...
Hedge funds significantly increased long positions in crude oil as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated, anticipating a potential supply shock. Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shows a roughly 15% rise in net long exposure, equivalent to about...

The death of Iran’s supreme leader and subsequent missile exchanges have raised alarms about a possible Straits of Hormuz shutdown, which could cut 10‑20 million barrels per day from global supply. Analysts debate the price impact, with some warning that panic...
After Iran’s strike on a Saudi Aramco refinery, capital is rotating aggressively into metals. Gold has reclaimed $5,400, up 2.22%, adding roughly $1 trillion in market value in just 6 hours. Silver has surged to $96, up 4.32%, adding $250 billion in...
Saudi Arabia has reportedly shut down Ras Tanura, one of the world’s largest oil refineries, following an Iranian drone strike. This is not just a regional headline. Ras Tanura is a critical node in global energy supply. Any prolonged disruption could...

European natural‑gas futures surged up to 25% on March 2, marking the steepest rise since August 2023. The spike followed reports that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG shipments—was largely halted amid escalating Middle‑East fighting....
🚨 IRAN WAR DAY 2 — MONDAY MARKET OPEN 🚨 Day 2 confirms the war is widening, not containing. ~48 Iranian officials confirmed dead including Khamenei. Iran is retaliating across the Gulf — hitting Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and targeting...
Gold prices surged to nearly US$5,400 an ounce, driven by escalating Middle East tensions, reinforcing the metal's safe‑haven appeal. The rally lifted several junior miners, with Catalina Resources posting a 48‑metre, 2.61 g/t assay that sent its share price up 60%...

The Commodity Market Movers Report released on March 2, 2026 details a new set of long positions across key commodities. The team added half‑position longs in gold, silver and platinum, each capped at 45 basis‑points of risk, and opened a long position in...

Shipping lines are imposing emergency surcharges and rerouting cargo due to heightened security risks in the Middle East, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. CMA CGM, HapagLloyd and Maersk have announced fees up to US$4,000 per container...
Chinese domestic sulphur prices jumped to 4,250 yuan per tonne, about $531, marking a roughly 5% increase from late February levels. The rise follows heightened US‑Iran tensions, prompting sellers to lift offers to 4,300 yuan/t in both paper and spot markets. While...
Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz forced Indian LNG carriers to reroute, leaving only one of Petronet's three captive tankers able to unload at the Dahej terminal. The 138,000 m³ Disha is stalled at Ras Laffan, while Aseem diverted away...

Thoughts? The Iran war and oil crisis affect your money across four key areas: oil prices and inflation, stock market volatility, cryptocurrency movements, and overlooked opportunities in uranium and energy security stocks.
Very interesting > The Strait of Hormuz is not just oil - but also LNG. https://t.co/jlv7Hrp9LJ

China’s oil imports reached a record 11.55 million barrels per day in 2025, a 4.4% increase over the prior year, driven by aggressive stockpiling and expanded storage capacity. While the country continues to buy discounted Russian crude and benefits from Saudi...

Mostly red arrows around the world as weekend Middle East events have the “war time trade” in motion, with silver/gold/oil higher and $SPX futures -70. Key is whether $SPX holds 6780–6790 to keep the upper range intact, or if it...

Brent has jumped to $79 per barrel from $72 on Friday. We're currently getting risk-off price action that's lifting USD, including against commodity exporters like Brazil. But that will fade and the Real will rally like it did after the...

Escalating conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States has forced the Strait of Hormuz shut, pushing crude oil prices up 8‑10% and reverberating through agricultural markets. Higher energy costs raise nitrogen fertilizer prices and boost biofuel demand, tightening grain...
While gas prices will get all the attention, it is worth pointing out the near 15% increase in heating oil this morning.

Thanks to Vijay and the whole team @TheEconomist for the invitation to deliver a keynote this morning about challenges—and solutions—facing the energy transition. I focused on energy math, energy security, and energy geopolitics—with today’s oil & gas price spikes top...

Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has placed two additional 306,000 dwt VLCC orders with China’s Hengli Shipbuilding, expanding its fleet to ten VLCCs at the yard. The vessels are part of a five‑ship order slated for delivery in 2029‑2030, completing a broader...
Qatar says Ras Laffan energy complex has been attacked It isn’t clear what part of the facility. But it is home to Qatar’s massive LNG export plant — the world’s biggest

The markets are open, and yes, there's the shock reaction. Brent Oil: +9% Gold: +2.5% The surprise? #Bitcoin: -0.01% No downwards move on Bitcoin. Zero. https://t.co/fOIgoBaXth
The ongoing West Asia conflict is expected to push global pulse prices higher, threatening a rise in dal costs for Indian households. India imports roughly 5‑6 million tonnes of pulses from Myanmar, Canada and Africa, leaving the domestic market vulnerable to...
Top ten Aussie gold miners add approximately $7b of value after US-Israel missile strikes on Iran https://t.co/MIKqSU1r1w

On the opening of the Intercontinental Exchange Market in London, BRENT CRUDE SURGED. Since the close on Friday, it's up over 7%, trading at $78 / barrel. THE WINDS OF WAR = HIGHER OIL PRICES = MORE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS FOR TRUMP. https://t.co/H6nboenO4u
The escalating Middle East conflict sparked a fire at Jabel Ali port, the UAE hub that moves roughly 65 % of GCC polymer exports and 33 % of regional petrochemical cargo. The blaze, caused by debris from an aerial interception, resulted in no...

Oil has given back about half of the gap higher.. but where will it be tomorrow morning? CL, Brent +6% https://t.co/xc6c5bVP1V
Further to the prior post: A classic initial market reaction to this weekend’s eruption of military conflict in the Middle East: Oil has surged over 10%, the Dollar has strengthened, and Dow futures have opened down some 500 points. #economy #markets #oil...

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil conduit, has seen trade reduced to a trickle after a wave of escalatory attacks. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, followed by Iranian reprisals triggered by the reported assassination of Supreme Leader...

US-Israel Invasion of Iran May Cap Crude and Gold - Gold and crude oil may show signs of peaking if the conflict is quick and infrastructure isn't impaired. Both were up about 20% in 2026 before Feb. 28. If typical swift...
Update from the set. Brent up 9%, prices up across the futures curve. Gold up by about $120/ounce, also up across the curve https://t.co/UX9X5ChFfK
Not a terribly surprising open. Crude up 8%. SPooz off 1% and USTs up solidly bid but selling into best levels.

Brent crude oil +9% to $79 WTI crude oil +8% to $72 RBOB gasoline futures +5% to $2.42 https://t.co/Z7uoT3rHYZ

YARDENI: “.. in our short-war scenario, oil prices should fall in the coming weeks after a ceasefire .. boosting US consumer spending and benefiting global economies .. The weekend’s Middle East developments make us even more confident in our Roaring...

GS: Taking Into Account Estimated Weekend Market Pricing, We Estimate a Risk Premium of Around $18/bbl on the March 1st Oil Market Open https://t.co/vtpc8AfijE
IG pricing US Crude up around $10 to $77.26 Gold up around $111 to $5,385 EURUSD down 64 pips to 1.1751 Strap in. This is going to be a wild open.

Kalshi prediction markets currently see a 95% likelihood that U.S. crude oil hits at least $73 per barrel or more tomorrow. U.S. crude closed at $67.02 per barrel on Friday https://t.co/CKqpj0YQcp