Price movements and fundamentals across major commodities.
Analysis and reporting on commodities such as oil, natural gas, gold, industrial metals, and agricultural products. Focuses on supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical risks, inventory trends, and macro drivers affecting commodity markets.
2,875 total articles
Global markets reopened to subdued trading with U.S. futures marginally lower and investor sentiment remaining strongly bullish despite pockets of volatility in technology stocks. Bank of America’s monthly survey shows elevated optimism about the economy and earnings, while economic releases and central bank commentary due this week could clarify p…
Citi analysts argue that prospective diplomatic breakthroughs involving Iran and between Russia and Ukraine - initiatives reportedly supported by U.S. President Donald Trump - could reduce crude oil and refined fuel prices, easing affordability pressures for American households and potentially prompting a deflationary impulse that would allow for e…
A senior Kremlin aide said Russia may use its navy to stop European powers from seizing Russian vessels and could retaliate against European shipping if seizures occur. The comments come as Western nations have imposed over 30,000 sanctions on Russia and taken steps to block tankers linked to Russian oil shipments, including a U.S. seizure of a Rus…
Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran resumed in Geneva on Feb. 17 with U.S. envoys and Iran's foreign minister participating under Omani mediation. The talks, which aim to address a long-running nuclear dispute, take place even as the U.S. positions a large naval force in the region and Iran begins military drills in the Strait …
Oil prices ticked down in subdued holiday trade as attention turned to a planned meeting between U.S. and Iranian ministers in Geneva and a slate of U.S. economic releases that could influence Federal Reserve policy. Brent fell modestly while WTI showed an intraday increase that was affected by a U.S. holiday. Lower trading volumes across several A…
Oil prices were largely unchanged as markets weighed the potential for supply disruption following Iranian naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz and ahead of nuclear negotiations involving the United States. Traders monitored mixed price moves in Brent and U.S. crude, factored in holiday-thinned Asian liquidity, and considered comments from offic…
Citi says recent geopolitical pressures have helped lift Brent crude toward $70 a barrel, driven by tighter enforcement of sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil and other supply disruptions. The bank's base case assumes peace agreements involving Russia-Ukraine and Iran by or during the summer, which would reduce Brent to roughly $60-62 a barrel and…
Newly released global climate datasets for 2025 indicate an acceleration in warming since the mid-2010s, with 2025 ranked among the three warmest years on record. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide reached record highs, driving temperature increases. Ocean heat content and sea levels also set new benchmarks, whi…
On Feb. 16, President Donald Trump publicly criticized a clean energy cooperation agreement signed between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Britain's energy minister, hours after the deal was finalized. Trump described the governor in harsh terms and renewed his support for fossil fuel interests, while Newsom's office defended the pact and cont…
Federal energy and defense officials on Feb. 15 flew a small, unfueled nuclear microreactor from California to Utah aboard a C-17 transport to demonstrate the potential for rapidly deploying compact nuclear power for military and civilian applications. The demonstration, involving a Valar Atomics Ward microreactor, included senior officials on the …
Oil prices were largely rangebound in Asian trading as markets focused on a fresh round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, potential supply disruptions tied to heightened tensions, and reports that OPEC+ plans to resume production increases from April. Lower-than-expected growth in Japan and holidays in China and the U.S. kept volumes subdued, whi…
Crude oil traded in a narrow range as investors waited for a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva, with geopolitical tensions providing a floor under prices even as OPEC+ signals plans to restart output increases from April. Brent and WTI were marginally lower early Monday, coming off weekly declines, while market activity was expected …
Gold prices remained relatively stable in Asian trade as holiday-thinned markets limited turnover. The metal has swung sharply in recent weeks amid uncertainty around U.S. interest rates, but it finished last week above $5,000 per ounce. Attention now turns to Federal Reserve minutes from January and U.S. December PCE inflation data for further gui…
Russia's Taman port on the Black Sea sustained damage after a Ukrainian drone attack, according to the governor of Krasnodar region. Authorities reported a damaged oil storage tank, a warehouse and terminals in Volna village, with two people injured and more than 100 personnel engaged in firefighting. Kyiv's general staff said it had struck the por…
Brazil possesses a significant portion of the world's rare earth oxide reserves but supplies under 1% of the global market. Structural barriers - notably the absence of domestic separation and refining capacity, financing limits tied to mining-right collateral rules, and a lack of an integrated industrial strategy - constrain the country's ability …
Valero Energy is preparing to import as much as 6.5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in March for processing at its Gulf Coast refineries, according to sources. If it secures 10 or more cargoes, Valero could process roughly 210,000 barrels per day and overtake Chevron as the top U.S. refiner of Venezuelan oil since the United States captured Pre…
President told troops at Fort Bragg that Iran has been "difficult" in nuclear talks and suggested instilling fear may be needed to secure a peaceful resolution. He referenced a recent U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear sites and the movement of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The visit also highlighted U.S. actions in Venezuela and includ…
Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA has been turning away offers from buyers that lack individual U.S. licenses, according to multiple company sources, reducing the pace at which stored crude is being sold. Although U.S. authorities issued a general license and targeted individual permissions to major traders, PDVSA and banks remain cautious and are s…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any narrowing of the metals tariffs would be a decision for President Donald Trump, while allowing that some modifications - likely clarifications for incidental objects - could be made. The Commerce Department oversees the Section 232 tariffs that were doubled last year to cover many derivative products; …
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized the repeal of the 2009 'endangerment finding' for vehicles, removing the federal foundation for regulating greenhouse gases from motor vehicles. The move eliminates a key federal lever that had allowed national tailpipe emissions standards and supported broader EPA regulation of greenhouse gases across …
Three OPEC+ sources say the group is leaning toward resuming planned increases in oil production quotas from April. The move would position Saudi Arabia and the UAE to regain market share while several member producers face sanctions or output setbacks. No formal decision has been taken ahead of a March 1 meeting of eight key producers.
Global markets closed the week amid a swirl of conflicting signals: a decisive electoral victory in Japan that bolstered stocks, bonds and the yen; sharp moves in U.S. equity sectors tied to AI and disappointing corporate results; and a set of U.S. economic releases that pulled forward and then pushed back expectations for Federal Reserve easing. E…
Capital Economics says recent patterns in Chinese gold demand resemble speculative behaviour more than safe-haven buying, pointing to increased leverage, futures trading and ETF flows that could amplify price swings and episodic volatility in the gold market. The firm highlights shifts in consumer demand and trading activity in 2025 and warns that …
The Environmental Protection Agency's repeal of its 2009 endangerment finding, which underpinned federal regulation of greenhouse gases, may clear the way for renewed use of public nuisance lawsuits against utilities and other large emitters. Legal scholars and industry representatives warn the move could prompt increased litigation now that the re…
Aluminum prices in London fell after reports that the U.S. administration is considering narrowing the scope of tariffs on certain metal products. The review, which could exempt some items and limit the expansion of tariffed goods, follows criticism that the duties are increasing costs for American consumers and businesses.
