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.
1,897 total articles
Gold and other precious metals advanced in Asian trading as a prolonged slide in the dollar reduced haven demand. Markets remain focused on potential extended talks between the U.S. and Iran and a ceasefire due to expire on April 21, while copper rose after China reported stronger first-quarter GDP.
A second supertanker listed under U.S. sanctions sailed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf despite an American blockade intended to stop ships visiting Iranian ports. Data from maritime trackers and state media show the empty VLCC RHN entered the Gulf following the transit of the VLCC Alicia, while U.S. military and commercial data report m…
Disruptions from the Iran war have pushed global buyers to seek U.S. crude, driving exports toward record levels and narrowing net imports to a weekly low. While refiners in Europe and Asia are taking more U.S. barrels to replace Middle East flows, analysts warn U.S. export capacity and shipping constraints may limit further growth.
Oil prices eased in early trade as signs of potential de-escalation between the United States and Iran — including a report that Iran could permit ships to transit via the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is struck — offset persistent worries over supply disruptions and lower-than-expected inventories in the United States.
Oil prices slipped in Asian trading as traders weighed the prospect of renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations before a ceasefire expires and awaited Chinese economic growth data. West Texas Intermediate futures declined modestly, while uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, potential troop movements and prior releases from strategic oil reserves continue…
A recent corporate survey conducted by Nikkei Research from April 1-10 finds a rising proportion of Japanese companies do not want the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates. Firms point to the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and its disruption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, higher crude prices, and supply-chain strains as key reasons to dela…
Kalshi has introduced a Commodities Hub that brings 10 additional commodity markets onto its platform. The new offering lets users trade binary event contracts tied to physical commodities - available 24/7 including weekends - and supplements Kalshi's existing oil and precious metals markets. The rollout coincides with oil trading above $100 per ba…
Oil prices were largely unchanged as persistent supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz counterbalanced U.S. presidential remarks suggesting the conflict with Iran could end soon. Limited shipping through the strait, large cumulative regional supply losses and shifts in policy on sanctions waivers continued to influence markets, while global financ…
On April 15, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions aimed at Iran's oil transportation infrastructure, naming more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels. The action targets the shipping network tied to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, and includes sanctions on Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi plus three companies alleged to be invo…
The White House says it did not request a ceasefire in the Iran war, while confirming that talks with Iranian representatives about a second round of negotiations are underway and constructive. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated any future in-person meetings would likely occur in Pakistan, which officials view as the only mediator currently…
An anonymous source briefed by Tehran said Iran has proposed allowing vessels to transit the Oman side of the narrow Strait of Hormuz without facing attacks as part of negotiations with the United States. The move is presented as contingent on Washington meeting Tehran's demands, and the proposal leaves unresolved whether mines would be removed or …
Copper futures pushed to their strongest level in over a month after U.S. statements suggesting the U.S.-Iran conflict may be winding down. The move reduced immediate supply and growth concerns for the industrial metal, though major banks and trade figures point to lingering downside risks from weaker demand and a potential surplus.
U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, 41, has been detained in Kuwait and has not posted publicly or been seen since March 2, the Committee to Protect Journalists says. He faces charges including spreading false information, harming national security and misusing a mobile phone. The detention comes as Gulf states report hundreds of arrests fo…
Iranian state outlets report that the National Iranian Oil Company will resume exclusive control over marketing the country's crude after several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials who managed shadow fleet operations were killed. Tehran says the move ends a long-standing intermediary system that relied on trustees and traders in Russia and…
European benchmark natural gas futures fell after statements from U.S. leadership and reports of resumed U.S.-Iran negotiations raised hopes of a de-escalation in the Middle East. The Dutch TTF front-month contract was down 3.0% to 42.00 euros per MWh by 09:54 ET (13:54 GMT), though analysts note supply-side risks from regional conflict and attacks…
The International Monetary Fund cautioned governments against blanket fuel subsidies in response to energy shortages tied to the Middle East conflict, recommending targeted, temporary cash transfers instead. IMF fiscal chief Rodrigo Valdes said allowing higher energy prices to pass through is important to prompt demand adjustment, while the fund do…
The silver market has recorded substantial stock withdrawals since 2021 and is projected to post a sixth straight yearly structural deficit in 2026. Research prepared by Metals Focus for the Silver Institute highlights both improving liquidity since last year’s squeeze and lingering risks that renewed volatility, Indian demand, and U.S. outflows co…
Global equity markets have largely returned to levels seen before the recent Middle East conflict, with U.S. indices approaching record territory and investors shifting attention back to corporate earnings and economic data as crude prices moderate. Easing geopolitical tensions, comments suggesting renewed talks with Iran and U.S. naval actions in …
Chinese authorities have begun preliminary discussions with makers of solar cell production equipment about possible limits on exports of advanced technologies to the United States, according to multiple people familiar with the consultations. No formal rule has been announced and regulators have not yet sought industry-wide feedback. If implemente…
Gold eased from a one-month high in Asian trade as traders focused on whether the United States and Iran can resume ceasefire talks before a temporary truce expires next week. A prior rally driven by prospects of more diplomacy and softer U.S. producer inflation readings gave way to modest declines in spot and futures gold, while other precious met…
A routine consignment of Austrian spruce 2x4s bound for Qatar has been rerouted around the Strait of Hormuz after regional fighting, forcing overland transfers, raising shipping surcharges and delaying delivery by months. The episode highlights wider supply-chain dislocation affecting construction materials, medicines and perishables across the Gul…
Oil futures declined for a second session as markets reacted to comments that talks between the U.S. and Iran may resume, increasing the possibility that crude and fuel flows from the Gulf could be restored. Despite the softening in prices, physical constraints and recent U.S. policy moves on sanctions leave supply risks elevated ahead of weekly U.…
Oil prices fell in Asian trade as market optimism grew around potential additional U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks and direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Brent slipped to $94.40 a barrel and WTI to $87.86 by 20:48 ET (00:48 GMT), while analysts cautioned that tight supply balances remain a key support for prices amid ongoing disruptions arou…
A U.S. destroyer intercepted two oil tankers departing Iran’s Chabahar port on Tuesday and directed them to return, a U.S. official said, marking an early enforcement action after a U.S.-announced blockade intended to pressure Iran over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said six merchant ships followed orders to turn back, a…
The NAACP has filed suit against xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech, accusing them of running 27 gas-fired turbines at their Colossus 2 data center in Southaven, Mississippi, without required Clean Air Act permits. Represented by Earthjustice and the Southern Environmental Law Center, the NAACP warns of potential health and air-quality impacts based o…
