Crude oil prices turn bearish, in anticipation of the next OPEC+ move

The price of crude oil became bearish on Wednesday as speculation about the outcome of the next OPEC+ meeting on Sunday shifted towards another possible production increase. In August, the group had already agreed to increase output by 547,000 barrels per day in September.  If this trend continues, …

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Crude Oil's Geopolitical Gamble: Peace, Production, and a Potential Powder Keg

The price of crude oil is being influenced by two opposing forces. On one hand, there's a growing possibility of a peace deal, not just a ceasefire, between Ukraine and Russia. This is more likely now than it was just a few days ago. Additionally, OPEC+ has been increasing its output to remain …

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China's Manufacturing Sector Shrank again in July!

China's manufacturing sector showed a clear sign of contraction in July 2025, amid escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The Chinese manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a key indicator of manufacturing activity, fell from 49.7 in June to 49.3 i…

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Mideast Tensions Flare, Then Fizzle: Syria's Near Miss and the Unexpected Calm in Oil Markets

The never-ending volatility in the Middle East took yet another turn for the worse this week, when the Druze community in Syria came under attack from some sections of the Bedouin tribes in Syria; the closer relations of the former with the state of Israel made an already tense situation even worse…

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Oil Prices Remain Stable Amidst Middle East Volatility

Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, crude oil prices have remained remarkably steady. As of 09:53 GMT, WTI was priced at $65.23 and Brent at $67.02. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) was at $3.45. Contrary to some analysts' and investment bankers' predictions of soaring oil prices, this d…

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Strait of Hormuz: will Iran make a bold move by closing it?

Following a US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, reports indicate that the Iranian parliament has approved closing the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against its long-standing adversary, the United States. However, the final decision rests with Iran's Supreme Security Council and, ultimate…

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Escalating Conflict Between Israel and Iran: oil and gas prices move up

The military conflict between Iran and Israel took a turn for the worse, as some missiles passed through Israel's layered anti-missile defence system that resulted in a damage to a major medical centre and a hospital on Thursday morning. In response, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime  minis…

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As Nuclear Talks Falter, Middle East Tensions Could Spook Oil Markets

Nuclear talks between the US and Iran have hit a roadblock after five rounds of indirect discussions. A new US proposal, delivered via Oman on Saturday, was rejected by Iran, while calling it a "bad deal" and "completely one-sided." Despite earlier cautious optimism, significant …

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Oil markets under pressure on many fronts!

The energy markets are facing a challenging period, marked by rising US crude inventories that underscore a weakening demand environment and abundant supply. This situation is compounded by several geopolitical and economic developments creating significant uncertainty. Geopolitical Tensions Escalat…

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Japan's economic woes and US credit downgrade by Moody's weigh on stagnating oil prices

The news about serious economic woes faced by Japan could not have come at a worse time for the crude oil markets, which are struggling to come out of the stagnant phase. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivered a blunt assessment of Japan's economic condition, stating its financial situation is …

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Evolving Geopolitical Landscape Pushes Oil and Gas Prices Up

As the military standoff between India and Pakistan subsided, thanks to President Trump's intervention, the oil markets suddenly found some optimism, at least, for a brighter near-future. The prices of oil and gas are exhibiting a gradual upward trend, coinciding with a discernible easing of geo…

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Will the oil market crash on Monday following OPEC+'s surprising announcement?

In an unexpected move on Saturday, the core members of OPEC+ declared plans to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels per day starting in June. The decision was made despite a recent downward trend in oil prices.  This increase builds upon the existing gradual rise of 138,000 bpd that began in …

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Double Trouble for Energy: India-Pakistan Tension Meets Iran Nuclear Talks Uncertainty

The energy markets are currently jittery as tensions escalate between nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan, moving beyond mere rhetoric. Following a high-level meeting on Tuesday, April 29, with the chiefs of armed forces, the national security advisor, the Home Minister, and the …

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US-China tariff dispute: who will blink first?

The trade war between the world's two largest economies escalated sharply today, as China declined to agree on a deal to avert a major economic crisis involving both nations. President Trump had warned China against levying retaliatory tariffs of 34% in response to tariffs previously imposed on …

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Reciprocal tariffs accelerate the fall of crude oil prices

President Trump, ever the showman, played his tariff announcement like a master of the slow burn. He understood that a rushed reveal would lack the desired impact. Instead, he stretched out the suspense, mirroring the art of a striptease, where each deliberate removal of a layer amplifies the audie…

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