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
European Stocks Rally 3.6% as DAX Surpasses 24,000 Amid Middle East Ceasefire
European equity indices added roughly 3.6% this week, with Germany's DAX climbing from 23,181 to above 24,000 points. The rally was sparked by a two‑week cease‑fire in the Middle East that pushed Brent crude below $95 and lifted investor confidence in Euro‑listed firms such as Heidelberg Materials.
US Blockade Pushes Oil Above $100, WTI to $135
JUST IN: U.S. oil prices surged 8% above $100 a barrel after the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, with WTI crude oil projected to hit $135 per barrel this year.
U.S. Loans 8.5 MMbbl From SPR in Second Release Amid Iran War
The U.S. Department of Energy has loaned 8.48 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Gunvor USA, Phillips 66, Trafigura Trading and Macquarie Commodities Trading, marking the second emergency release aimed at cushioning oil markets amid the Iran conflict....
Delta's Earnings Trigger Four S&P 500 Signals Tied to Fuel Costs and Consumer Demand
Delta Air Lines posted a stronger‑than‑expected first‑quarter earnings report, prompting analysts to flag four S&P 500 signals: rising gasoline prices, a cost squeeze on consumer staples, Procter & Gamble's volume imperative, and potential volatility across the index. The moves underscore...
Exxon Mobil's Stabroek Block Discovery Adds 11bn Barrels, Targets 1m Bpd by 2026
Exxon Mobil announced that its Stabroek Block offshore Guyana contains roughly 11 billion barrels of oil‑equivalent reserves and is set to exceed 1 million barrels per day of production by the end of 2026. The find bolsters Exxon’s earnings outlook and could...
ECB Rate‑Cut Outlook Crushed to 0.2% as Oil Shock Fuels Inflation Fears
Traders have slashed expectations for an ECB rate cut in 2026 to just 0.2% after oil prices jumped 3% on Middle‑East tensions. ECB officials Madis Muller and Olaf Sleijpen warned that the bank could act as early as April if...
Second Inflation Wave Revives Commodity Prices
My latest monthly client memo: The Second Wave of Inflation and the Commodity Comeback https://t.co/4L7dEvdDn4 https://t.co/eRCYHTHapt
Gold Tumbles as US Blockade of Hormuz Raises Inflationary Risks
Gold prices plunged 2.2% on Monday, slipping below $4,650 an ounce after the United States announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move triggered a sharp rise in oil and natural‑gas prices, pushing the Bloomberg Dollar Spot...
Asia Market Sense Initial Thoughts: Trump Says US Will Block the Hormuz Straits;... That Just Makes Matters Worse
President Trump warned Iran that the United States would block the Strait of Hormuz if tolls were imposed, sending oil prices above $100 a barrel amid the ongoing Iran‑U.S. conflict. The geopolitical shock has spurred a wave of policy responses,...
Iron Ore Waits on the War
Iron ore markets are in a holding pattern as improving peace prospects in the Gulf reduce geopolitical risk, but the broader ferrous complex remains weak. Steel prices have resumed their decline, reflecting lingering demand concerns. Port inventories have risen to...
Beef Export Update March 2026
Australia’s beef exports surged in March 2026, reaching 149,973 tonnes – a 33% increase year‑on‑year and 58% above the five‑year average. The United States remained the top destination with 42,043 tonnes, up 30% YoY and more than double the five‑year norm. China...
Asia-Pacific Oil Prices Break $100 Barrier Again
As expected, oil prices are surging higher in Asia-Pacific trading, with both Brent and WTI quoted above $100 a barrel again. #markets #economy #oil #energy
Osaka Titanium Slashes Sales Forecast Amid Weak Demand
Osaka Titanium cut its sales forecast as aerospace inventory adjustment and weak industrial demand hurt titanium sponge sales. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/osaka-titanium-sales-forecast-cut.html
Price Tracker: Oil, Fuel Monitor for Apr. 13
The Philippine Department of Energy announced a sharp rollback of retail fuel prices for the week of April 14‑20, 2026. Diesel is set to fall by ₱20.89 per litre (about $0.38), gasoline by ₱4.43 ($0.08) and kerosene by ₱8.50 ($0.15)....
Oil Prices Rise After the US Says It Would Block Iranian Ports
The United States announced a blockade of Iranian ports starting Monday, sending U.S. crude up 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent 7% to $102.29. The move follows Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20%...
Stock-Market Futures Drop, Oil Surges Above $100 After Failed Talks Betwe...
U.S. and Iran failed to reach an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten a naval blockade. Oil prices rebounded above $100 per barrel as the geopolitical risk premium widened. Futures on the Dow, S&P 500...
'Out of Control' Diesel Prices Threaten Australia's Crucial Freight Industry
Australian freight operators are grappling with a diesel price surge that has more than doubled since the Iran conflict, pushing the national average to A$3.13 per litre (≈US$2.07). Owner‑operator Aaron Fischer now spends about A$300,000 (≈US$200,000) a month on fuel,...
Stocks and Bonds Fall With Brent Back Above $100: Markets Wrap
President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after US‑Iran peace talks stalled, sending oil prices soaring. Brent crude jumped 6.8% to just above $102 a barrel, the first time since early 2025. The rally in...
How the Iran War Is Disrupting Gulf Economies: 5 Key Effects
The Iran‑U.S./Israel war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting global oil flows by roughly 8 million barrels per day and driving war‑risk insurance premiums up to 1,000 %. Gulf Cooperation Council economies are confronting steep GDP declines—up to 14 % in...
Hormuz Offset Claims Exaggerated, Real Capacity Far Lower
Bunch of people have asked so to answer directly: these Hormuz offset numbers are entirely bunk. Absolutely fair to be optimistic about the war ending and Hormuz reopening, but it’s fundamentally flawed to say we’re offset the Hormuz supply loss and...
Hormuz Blockade Fuels Energy Surge Ahead of Fed Data
Middle East tensions are pushing energy prices higher as the Strait of Hormuz blockade hits markets. All eyes on inflation data and Fed speakers this week. 🟢 Open https://t.co/cLaM5AJanN
Europe Expands Gas and Power Trading to 21 Hours, Doubling Market Window
European gas and power markets will move to a permanent 21‑hour trading day next week, more than doubling the current 10‑hour window. The change comes as Middle‑East conflict drives gas prices nearly 40% above pre‑war levels, forcing traders to rethink...
Screen‑traded Crude No Longer Reliable Price Gauge
Tough news flow to start the overnight session, but I don’t think screen-traded crude is a useful indicator right now. Pretty much all asset classes have internalized the fact that a barrel delivered in a barrel in futures pricing are...
US Hormuz Blockade Sparks Surge in Oil, Gas Prices
US military says it’ll begin a Hormuz blockade at 10am ET Monday. Oil prices +8%, NatGas +13% early Monday in Asia. Also, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz shows the “highest” volumes since the war began (“highest” is of course...
Ahead of Russian Gas Ban, Europe Buys Almost All Cargoes From Yamal LNG
Europe bought 97 percent of Yamal LNG cargoes in Q1 2026, receiving 69 of 71 shipments, amounting to 5.07 million tons and $3.33 billion in payments. The bloc’s dependence on Russian gas has surged, with over $230 billion spent on Russian oil and gas imports...
Trump's Iran Oil Blockade Threatens Global Supply, Economy
Quoted alongside @reziemba in this @WSJ writeup on the implications of Trump’s threatened blockade of Iranian oil exports and what it means for the oil supply—and global economic—outlook. https://t.co/ndEafAkcaG
Australian EV Surge Won’t Lift Lithium Prices Soon
Australian electric vehicle boom won’t drive higher lithium prices in the near term: Wood Mackenzie https://t.co/D6uz3IGI8N
Trump Pitches Iran Blockade as Boon to U.S. Oil
President Trump used the Iran‑related Strait of Hormuz blockade as a sales pitch, urging nations—especially China—to buy more U.S. oil. He claimed empty tankers were heading to American ports, but the United States exports only about 3.5‑4.5 million barrels of crude...
European Gas Spikes on Trump Threat, Yet Below Last Month
European natural gas prices jump after Trump threatened to blockade Hormuz 📈📈 Prices rose 18% in early Asia trading (The trading day expanded to 21 hours, from 10 hours, on Monday) Still, down from the highs of last month. Drop in Asian...
Oil Climbs Past $105 as US Blocks Iranian Ports
Oil prices surge above $105 as U.S. Navy to blockade Iran’s ports after peace talks fail: https://t.co/lRknunNbMI
Chinese Rare Earth Producer Hikes Q2 Price by 44%
China Northern Rare Earth Group announced a Q2 2026 concentrate price of 38,804 yuan ($5,390) per tonne, a 44.6% jump from the first quarter and more than double the level a year earlier. The price is tied to a formula that...
Hormuz Closure Threatens Petrodollar for First Time in 50 Years
No deal this weekend. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed Oil prices are surging again. U.S. about to blockade New @moronomics podcast episode breaks down what this means and why this is the biggest threat to the “petrodollar” in 50 years...
RBOB Gasoline Futures Hover Around $3.20 After Volatile Swing
RBOB gasoline futures tagged $3.40 at the March peak... dropped to $2.90... now $3.20.. chopfest https://t.co/3gXzdFHSvH
Colombia’s Energy Crisis Deepens as Oil Output Falls and Imports Rise
Colombia’s oil production slipped to 734,924 barrels per day in February, a 2.7% year‑over‑year decline and the lowest level since July 2021. Natural‑gas output also fell, pushing imports to roughly 20% of total consumption, up from under 4% a year earlier....
WTI Oil Prices Return to March Range
WTI in the middle of the range back to the last week of March https://t.co/UJdTdFVoGT
Oil Prices Likely to Top $115, Stay Long
According to @Polymarket, there is now a 64% chance that US oil prices will exceed $115/barrel this month. I agree. Stay long oil. AMERICANS SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO TRUMP. https://t.co/NCKsBE3xYX
US‑Iran Islamabad Talks Collapse, Leaving Emerging‑Market Oil Shock
U.S. Vice President JD Vance led a 21‑hour delegation to Islamabad that ended without an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. The failure leaves the fragile cease‑fire and the strategic Strait of Hormuz in limbo, threatening oil‑price stability for emerging markets.
Energy Drives March CPI Spike, Spillover Risks Loom
WEI LI BlackRock: Energy contributed the most to March's CPI surge. How much will the bleed-through be to the rest of the economy? https://t.co/OPcuN31SGl
Saudi Arabia Gains as Oil Prices Surge, Rival Vanishes
The House of Saud wins with higher oil prices and the elimination of a regional competitor
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as West Asia Tensions Keep Inflation Risks Alive
The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee left the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and signaled a neutral stance, warning that West Asia conflict risks could keep inflationary pressures high. The decision narrows the window for near‑term rate cuts and boosts the...
Hormuz Blockade Threatens Oil Supply, Markets Await China or Trump
Strait of Hormuz blockade is live 🚢❌ 20% of world oil = gone 🛢️ Equities gap down 📉 Oil gap up 📈 $115 WTI on the table 🎯 One question matters: does China blink first or does Trump? 🇨🇳🇺🇸 Trade...
US Vice President JD Vance Leads Failed 21‑Hour Iran Talk in Islamabad, Leaving Oil Markets on Edge
U.S. Vice President JD Vance led a high‑level delegation to Islamabad for 21 hours of talks with Iran, but the parties left without an agreement. Iran rejected a “fundamental commitment” to abandon its nuclear program, while the United States warned...
Petrobras Leverages Pre‑Salt Fields for 11% Production Rise Amid Lower Oil Prices
Petrobras posted an 11% increase in oil output in 2025, driven by its pre‑salt fields despite a backdrop of softer crude prices. The company’s pre‑salt assets now supply 82% of total production and attract roughly 60% of its exploration and...
Car‑Shopping Sites See EV Interest Surge After $4‑per‑Gallon Gas Shock
Cars.com and Edmunds disclosed a noticeable rise in electric‑vehicle (EV) interest after U.S. gasoline prices breached the $4‑per‑gallon threshold, a level the Wall Street Journal says triggers reconsideration of EVs. EV sales jumped 12% in the first quarter, while Chinese...
Institution Holds Massive Oil Shorts Near $115/$121
An institution is heavily shorting Oil. They have opened: - $74,388,000 Crude Oil short with liquidation at $114.98 - $24,678,000 Brent Oil short with liquidation at $121.2 https://t.co/vARO0PhagV
MSC Extends Emergency Fuel Surcharge Amid Global Fuel Market Disruption
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced it will keep its Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) unchanged but extend it through April 30 2026, citing ongoing turbulence in the global marine fuel market tied to recent Middle East developments. The surcharge covers cargo originating from...
US NatGas Futures Slip to $2.65, Outlook Flat
U.S. natural gas futures price fell $0.15 from $2.80 to $2.65 for the week ending April 10 Price is likely to move sideways or fall slightly on Monday based on 12-month spreads #energy #NaturalGas #shale #fintwit #oilandgas #Commodities #ONGT #natgas #LNG https://t.co/61URlYt6Lw
Zamboanga City Sardine Industry Appeals for Help
The sardine industry in Zamboanga City, which provides roughly 80% of the Philippines' fishery output, is pleading for government aid as soaring fuel prices have slashed fishing trips and strained canning operations. Seventeen local canneries now burn about 5.5 million liters...
Rapid Oil Surge Signals Deflation, Not Inflation
The most critical thing to watch this week is if long duration yields fall into the Oil surge. We are on the verge of a massive deflation scare. You read that right. The SPEED of the oil move is DEFLATIONARY. The market has this...
Oil Futures up 7% on Hyperliquid as Trump Orders Naval Blockade of Hormuz
Oil futures surged on the decentralized Hyperliquid exchange after President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global petroleum shipments. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contracts jumped 7% to $96.40, while Brent rose...