As Bombs Fall, Gold Prices Rise — and Poland Is Taking Notice
Geopolitical strikes on Iran have pushed spot gold to a record $5,420 per ounce, sparking a surge in demand for physical bullion. In Poland, the Mazovia Mint reports private investor purchases rising 30‑50% year‑on‑year, with 21% of Poles entering the market in 2025. Central banks worldwide continue to accumulate gold at record levels, reinforcing the safe‑haven narrative. Analysts forecast prices could exceed $6,000 per ounce by the end of 2026.
Mideast Naphtha Supply Tightens as Disruptions Mount
Mideast Gulf naphtha supplies are tightening after Kuwait's KPC and Bahrain's Bapco Energies announced force majeure, removing roughly 560,000 t/month and 167,000 t/month respectively. Additional shipment delays from ADNOC and cargo cancellations by QatarEnergy, alongside drone attacks on Ras Laffan and Duqm,...
Asian Buyers Struggle to Find March LNG as Supply Remains Tight
Asian LNG buyers are facing a shortage of March cargoes after a war‑related outage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant, the world’s largest LNG exporter, tightened global supply. Thailand, Bangladesh, India and Vietnam have turned to the spot market to secure near‑term...
India Says No to IEA’s Call to Release Strategic Oil Reserves
India has declined the International Energy Agency’s invitation to tap its strategic oil reserves as a measure to curb soaring crude prices. The country holds about 5.33 million tonnes of underground reserves, roughly 80% of capacity, and reserves them for supply‑disruption...
Aluminum Falls as Trump Signals Iran Conflict May End Soon
Aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange slipped up to 3.5% after President Donald Trump hinted that the Iran war could conclude “very soon.” The conflict had been a key driver of supply constraints, pushing the metal to a four‑year...
Indicators Point to Hiccups in Steel Demand Momentum
U.S. steel production slipped in early March, falling 26,000 tons as weekly output dropped from 1.817 million to 1.791 million tons. The slowdown mirrors weak construction employment, which shed 11,000 jobs in February and posted a 6.9% unemployment rate, and a modest...
Coal Price Rally Fuels FIFO Boom
Rising coal prices have reignited Australia’s fly‑in, fly‑out (FIFO) market, with spot rates climbing from US $172 to US $220 per tonne since July 2025. Civeo Corporation reported an 18 percent profit surge, posting US $51.9 million in Australian earnings after delivering 2.78 million accommodation nights...
Oil, Gas Futures Surge in Volatile Trade
Crude oil futures benchmarks Brent and WTI surged to their highest intraday levels since 2022 on Monday, with Brent briefly topping $90 a barrel and WTI crossing $85. The rally was short‑lived, as both contracts slipped later in the session,...
Hormuz Closure Sends Gas Prices Soaring, LNG Cargoes Toward Asia
The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a sharp rise in global natural‑gas prices, except in North America, which remains insulated by abundant domestic supply. The disruption forced several LNG carriers originally bound for Europe to reroute...
US Shale Offers No Quick Fix for Lost Mideast Crude
U.S. shale producers are unlikely to fill the gap left by reduced Middle East crude exports, even as oil prices climb. Analysts argue that the war‑driven supply loss will be prolonged, and shale’s long lead‑times and capital intensity prevent a...
Spot Prices Wrap: National Avg. Falls to Five-Month Low as Warm Weather, EPNG Force Majeure Weigh
U.S. natural‑gas spot prices slipped to a five‑month low as unusually warm spring weather curbed heating demand nationwide. The Henry Hub benchmark rebounded above $3/MMBtu, marking a second consecutive rally. Meanwhile, a force‑majeure event at El Paso Natural Gas forced the...
Costco Issues Urgent Warning to Shoppers
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have pushed crude oil into the mid‑$70‑per‑barrel range, sending the national average gasoline price up 27 cents to $3.25 per gallon. Analysts warn the pump price could climb to $3.50‑$3.70 soon and possibly breach...
Dairy Manufacturing Prices Show Cautious Recovery Despite Global Oversupply, Rabobank Says
Rabobank’s Q1 Global Dairy Quarterly reports a modest rebound in dairy manufacturing prices, driven primarily by Australian and New Zealand products. Despite the rally, global milk supply remains abundant, with production growth projected to slow to just 0.2% in 2026 after...
Iraq Stands to Lose and Lose From Iran Strikes
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have forced Iraq to curtail oil production as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, exposing Iraq's dependence on Iranian gas and electricity. The disruption comes just as major U.S. oil majors—ExxonMobil, Chevron and...
War, Market Volatility and $100 Oil: Is Now the Right Time to Buy Energy Stocks and ETFs?
The war with Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting roughly 20% of daily global oil shipments and pushing Brent crude to $105 per barrel, its highest level since July 2022. The supply squeeze lifted gasoline...
Oil Is Already Near a Price That Hurts the Economy
Oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel amid the Iran conflict, then fell to about $90 after President Trump suggested the war could end soon. Energy analysts identify $110‑$120 as the threshold where crude demand begins to weaken, indicating...
The Iran Energy Shock Reverberates Across Financial Markets
The outbreak of war involving Iran has triggered a sharp contraction in oil output and transit, pushing global energy prices up by over 15 percent. The surge in energy costs is reigniting inflation expectations worldwide, prompting traders to anticipate more...
Ice Brent Volatility Passing Onto Ice Gasoil
Ice gasoil futures swung wildly on 9 March, peaking at $1,381 /t before closing at $1,116 /t, the highest level since June 2022. The move mirrored a surge in Ice Brent crude, which touched $119.50 /bl and settled above $100 /bl – the first breach since...
Polysilicon Prices Plunge, with Maximum Decline Exceeding 12%
Polysilicon prices in China plunged last week, with the steepest drop of 12.87% for n‑type granular material. High inventory—reaching 480,000 tons—combined with weak demand from downstream solar‑cell and module producers drove the decline. February output fell 17.3% to 84,400 tons,...
Gold Price Fades on Inflation Concerns, Silver Price Rebounds
Gold slipped to about $5,015 an ounce on Monday, a 3% intraday drop, before regaining most of the loss, as a stronger U.S. dollar and inflation‑driven rate worries kept investors on the sidelines. Silver, by contrast, rose over 2% to...
Grains Report 03/09/2026
The USDA’s February supply‑and‑demand report shows U.S. corn stocks at 2.16 billion bushels, near the top of the analyst range, while wheat and soybean inventories sit comfortably within forecasts. Global grain stockpiles remain tight, with world corn at 289 million metric tons...
2 Big UK Car Associations Are Telling Drivers to Ditch Non-Essential Journeys as Oil Soars Above $100 a Barrel
Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel after the Iran‑related conflict disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to near $120 in a single day. In response, the UK’s AA and RAC urged motorists to skip non‑essential trips and adopt...
Copper Charts to Watch as Prices Slip Below $13,000/T
Copper prices have slipped below $13,000 per tonne as a stronger US dollar, rising energy costs and Middle‑East tensions dampen risk appetite. At the same time, visible inventories on the LME, SHFE and COMEX have surged by more than 500,000...
USA Crude Oil Stocks Rise Week on Week
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that commercial crude oil inventories, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increased by 3.5 million barrels to 439.3 million barrels in the week ending Feb 27, still about 3% below the five‑year average. Total petroleum stocks rose 2.9 million...
Midmorning Markets: Amid War Wildcards, Technical Ceilings Rise for Natural Gas Futures
Natural gas futures surged past technical resistance, pushing the Henry Hub benchmark above $3 per MMBtu and breaching the $3.50 ceiling. The rally follows supply disruptions from the war in Iran, which have tightened global gas markets. Meanwhile, milder spring...
Pre-Markets Down as Middle East Tensions Remain
Pre‑market trading is under pressure as the Iran conflict pushes WTI and Brent crude above $100 a barrel, lifting oil prices 78% year‑to‑date. Major indices are slipping, with the Dow down 1.16%, the S&P 500 off 1.05% and the Nasdaq losing...
GOP Whip Tom Emmer Predicts Oil Prices Will Drop After Iran War
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told CNBC that oil prices, which surged above $100 per barrel after Middle Eastern production cuts tied to the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran, will "tumble" once the operation concludes. President Donald Trump echoed the short‑term...
International Business Briefs | Saudi Arabia Joins Neighbours in Cutting Oil Output
Saudi Aramco has begun curbing output at two fields as the Strait of Hormuz bottleneck from the US‑Israeli war with Iran rattles global oil supplies. Meanwhile, Roche’s breast‑cancer drug giredestrant failed a late‑stage trial, sending its shares down more than...
Falling Natural Gas Prices Drive Coal-to-Gas Switching Surge
Falling natural gas prices have revived the fuel’s share in U.S. thermal power generation. Gas now supplies about 72% of the thermal stack, up from roughly 60% a year ago. The surge is driven by a recent dip in spot...
Canadian Natural Calls for More LNG After Record Production Year
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. reported its best operational year in 2025, achieving record natural gas output driven by liquids‑rich drilling. Despite a volatile market that saw AECO prices swing from negative to over $3 per gigajoule, the company maintained lower...
Oil Prices Soar to $120 a Barrel as Iran Names New Supreme Leader
Oil prices surged to near $120 a barrel as Iran’s conflict intensified following the appointment of a new supreme leader, then retreated to about $106 for Brent and $103 for WTI. The fighting threatens production and shipping in the Persian...
Fertilizer Prices Are Skyrocketing, Are Food Prices Next?
Fertilizer prices are soaring as the United States, Israel and Iran become entangled in a new geopolitical conflict, disrupting key Middle‑East supply chains. The spike mirrors the 2022 commodity shock triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent grain, fertilizer...
House Leadership Files Fuel Excise Tax Suspension Bill; Public Hearing Set Tuesday
House leaders filed HB 8292, allowing the Philippine President to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes during national or global emergencies, triggered by soaring oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. The bill sets a concrete threshold—Dubai crude at $80 per...
Why Gas Prices Rise Today for Oil Bought Weeks Ago
Philippine fuel retailers set pump prices based on the cost of the next shipment rather than the price they paid weeks ago, using a replacement‑cost accounting model tied to the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark. A mandatory 15‑ to...
Iran Conflict Disrupts Agricultural Commodity Flows; South American Soymeal Washouts Reported
The Iran‑Israel‑US conflict has forced the cancellation of several South American soymeal and soybean cargoes destined for Iran, prompting exporters to consider washouts or rerouting. Soymeal premiums are under pressure as freight rates spike, especially on Atlantic routes, while Brazil’s...
EU Buys 100% of Russian Arctic LNG Just 9 Months Before Planned Gas Ban
In February 2026 the European Union purchased every cargo from Russia’s Yamal LNG project, amounting to 1.54 million tonnes across 21 shipments, the first full‑yearly capture since 2018. The purchases came just nine months before the EU’s scheduled ban on Russian...
Oil Spikes: How High Is the Price of War?
Oil prices have surged sharply as the Middle East conflict intensifies, highlighted by Iran’s appointment of a new supreme leader. The spike has prompted an emergency G7 finance ministers meeting to discuss coordinated responses. In the UK, Prime Minister Sir...
Strategic Oil Bets May Outperform in Current Geopolitical Crisis: Mark Matthews
Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel, reigniting market volatility amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Julius Baer strategist Mark Matthews says markets are already pricing in the shock, with Asian equities showing mixed reactions and India’s exposure mitigated by improved oil...
European Gas Prices Surge 30% as Middle East War Roils Markets
European natural‑gas futures jumped roughly 30% on Monday, marking the steepest weekly advance since the 2022 energy crisis. The rally coincided with oil breaching $100 a barrel as major Middle‑East producers curtailed output and the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively...
Australia’s Iron Ore Machine Faces a Structural Test
Australia’s iron‑ore sector produced 967.8 million tonnes in 2025, a 1.4% YoY rise, maintaining a 36.8% share of global output. Prices softened to an average $100.2 per dry metric tonne, down 8.4% as Chinese steel demand cooled and supply grew. While...
Food Prices in Ireland at Risk of Rising ‘Dramatically’ Due to War in Gulf, Minister Warns
Irish Minister of State Thomas Byrne warned that the war in the Gulf could cause food prices to rise dramatically, adding to already higher energy costs. He indicated the government will assess support measures within the next week, focusing on...
Saudis Offer Crude on Spot Market as War Disrupts Supplies
Saudi Aramco has launched a rare series of spot tenders offering roughly 4.6 million barrels of crude, covering Arab Extra Light, Arab Heavy and Arab Light grades. The move comes as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz forces shipments...
World Hit by Worst Oil Shock Since the 1970s
Oil prices surged dramatically on Monday, with Brent crude jumping 27% to $117.58 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 28% to $116.51, marking the steepest daily gain since at least 1988. The spike follows heightened tensions in the Middle East,...
Vietnam Plans Oil Tax Cut on Escalating US–Iran War
Vietnam's finance ministry announced a proposal to cut the most‑favoured‑nation (MFN) import tariff on selected petroleum products to 0 % effective until 30 April 2026. The move aims to broaden the supplier base and secure crude volumes as the US‑Iran war has disrupted...
Oil Prices Soar Past $110 While Dow Futures Sink 1,000 Points as Iran War Spirals Into Worst-Case Fears and U.S....
Oil futures surged past $113 a barrel and Brent topped $114 as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran escalated, pushing the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed. The sharp rally in crude sent gasoline price forecasts above $4 per gallon, while Dow...
Oil Prices Soar as Iran Conflict Threatens Middle East Supply
Oil markets spiked dramatically as Brent crude briefly touched $119.50 per barrel, driven by heightened geopolitical risk from the Iran‑related conflict in the Middle East. Prices later eased to $107.20 for Brent and $103.18 for WTI after reports that G7...
Exxon & Chevron Jump While Berkshire Drops on Sunday Night
Exxon Mobil and Chevron jumped 3.6% and 3.5% respectively in after‑hours trading as WTI crude surged past $100 per barrel, boosting expectations for higher earnings and cash flow. Berkshire Hathaway fell 1.3% despite its Chevron stake, weighed down by a...
Oil Tops $100 a Barrel as Middle East War Risks Mount
Oil prices have surged past the $100 per barrel mark, with West Texas Intermediate climbing above $108 and Brent exceeding $107, reflecting a 16‑18% rise since the start of the year. The jump is driven by escalating war risks in...
Kuwait Confirms Oil Output Slowdown as Storage Fills Up
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced it will begin throttling oil production as domestic storage fills, a precautionary step ahead of potential forced shutdowns. The move follows Iran’s recent attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which have severely constrained tanker...
Oil Prices ‘Could Breach $100 a Barrel Within Days’ Amid Supply Disruption From Iran War
Goldman Sachs warned that global oil prices could breach $100 a barrel within days and climb to $150 by month‑end if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Iran’s effective blockade has cut crude flows through the strait to roughly 10%...