Ole Hansen

China's central bank buys gold continuously, driven by political motives, to reduce dependence on the US dollar.

European leadership decided to release diesel stockpiles, causing crude oil futures to decline in trading activity as markets responded to increased fuel supply expectations.

Brent crude surged past $100 per barrel Wednesday as escalating Middle East conflict, particularly Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on Saudi energy facilities and disrupted Red Sea shipping, sparked supply concerns, with physical oil and refined fuels already exceeding that threshold for months.

Oil prices showed mixed results Thursday as US strikes on Iran and Israeli threats of retaliation pushed Brent and WTI to six-week highs, while Putin's signals toward Ukraine peace negotiations pressured prices amid easing supply disruption concerns.

U.S. strikes on Iran and Israeli threats triggered Middle East supply concerns, pushing Brent crude up 0.62% to $96.22 and WTI up 0.86% to $91.79, while Strait of Hormuz vessel transits declined sharply.

International gold prices rose 0.5% to $4,398.58 per troy ounce Monday, driven by a weaker US dollar and reduced Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations, with Bangladesh domestic 22-carat gold priced at Tk236,779 per bhori.

A U.S.-Iran stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz has kept oil traffic at two-month lows for five months, risking a supply tipping point by October that analysts warn could spike prices to $120-140 per barrel amid depleting global inventories.

Diesel faces greater geopolitical supply vulnerability than other fuels due to its critical role in freight, agriculture, and industry, with supply constraints from Middle Eastern refineries and Russian export halts driving prices higher than crude oil benchmarks, analysts warn.

Gold prices held steady near $4,060 per ounce as softer US inflation data eased Federal Reserve rate hike concerns, offsetting earlier pressure from surging oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

US-Iran missile exchanges lifted oil prices to $74 per barrel amid Middle East escalation, while markets showed resilience with stocks recovering and the dollar remaining steady as investors assessed limited broader economic impact.

Ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transport route, pushed Brent crude up 61 cents to $72.60 per barrel Tuesday, with analysts warning potential escalation could drive prices toward $80 amid Iran-US tensions.

Opec+ approved a fifth consecutive monthly production increase of 188,000 barrels per day, prioritizing market share over price support amid geopolitical tensions and rival producers' output gains.

UAE motorists expect lower petrol prices in July after four consecutive monthly increases, as global oil prices fell from Middle East conflict highs of $106 to around $73 per barrel, though renewed US-Iran tensions may limit relief magnitude.

Oil prices fell to three-month lows as markets anticipated the US-Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude dropping 5% to $78.96 a barrel, pressured by weakening Chinese demand and expectations of returning Iranian supplies.

Oil prices rose toward weekly gains as the Iran-U.S. conflict persisted, with Brent crude up 5.2% weekly and WTI up 10.5%, driven by Strait of Hormuz disruptions affecting roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies amid stalled ceasefire negotiations.

HSBC warns that Middle East tensions and the closed Strait of Hormuz have created an oil market "super-squeeze," potentially driving Brent crude toward $150 per barrel as global inventories deplete and supply disruptions persist.

U.S. military strikes on Iran drove Brent crude up 3% to $99.18 per barrel Tuesday, as peace deal negotiations faced delays and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted, threatening global oil and gas supplies.

Oil prices declined modestly Friday as European nations released diesel reserves and Iran's escalating threats faced market indifference, with Brent crude falling six cents to $102.25 per barrel amid shifting energy supply concerns.

European officials released five thousand barrels of diesel reserves following Trump's request, which caused international crude oil prices to decline amid broader geopolitical tensions over energy policy.

Brent crude surged above $100 per barrel Wednesday as U.S.-Iran military escalation disrupted Middle Eastern oil supplies, with Strait of Hormuz flows collapsing from nine million to below two million barrels daily, threatening global energy costs.

Crude oil gained over 5 percent weekly as escalating US-Iran military conflict in its seventh month disrupted supplies, pushing Brent and WTI futures higher and raising global inflation concerns amid reduced Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic.

Oil prices fell Wednesday despite touching one-month highs as U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged significant attacks, with Brent crude dropping 0.6% to $94.08 and WTI declining 0.8% to $89.50, reflecting market volatility over potential supply disruptions.

U.S. military strikes on Iran drove Brent crude up 2.5% as peace negotiations stalled, with Secretary of State Rubio indicating talks could take days, threatening to prolong shipping restrictions through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

Gold climbed 0.6% to $4,395.80 per ounce as traders awaited US inflation data that could reshape Federal Reserve expectations, while central bank demand and Strait of Hormuz tensions supported the broader precious metals rally.

Five major banks revised gold forecasts for end-2026, with Goldman Sachs projecting $4,900 per ounce, citing central bank purchases and geopolitical risks offsetting near-term interest rate pressures in global markets.

US-Iran tensions caused Brent crude oil futures to shift into backwardation, with prompt contracts trading $8.92 above six-month contracts, signaling trader concerns about tightened Middle Eastern supplies and Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.

Oil refining margins hit record highs as geopolitical conflicts damaged multiple refineries globally and reduced crude supply, keeping gasoline and diesel prices elevated despite lower crude oil prices.

Ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz drove oil prices up, with Brent crude rising to $72.60 and WTI to $69.04 per barrel, reflecting renewed geopolitical risk amid U.S.-Iran tensions and potential maritime disruptions.

OPEC+ increased production quotas by 188,000 barrels daily from August as Gulf shipping normalizes following Middle East conflict disruptions, gradually unwinding previous production cuts while oil prices decline amid improving supply expectations.

UAE petrol prices will likely drop in July following four consecutive monthly increases, as global oil prices fell to pre-war levels due to recovered Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic after Middle East conflict disruptions.

The U.S. and Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to drop 5 percent while gold and silver surged 3 and 4.6 percent respectively as markets shifted focus from inflation concerns to potential interest rate cuts.

OPEC+ ministers met virtually to approve approximately 188,000 barrels daily production increase amid Iran-linked Gulf disruptions that halved output to 33 million barrels daily, though analysts warn quota hikes offer limited relief while Strait of Hormuz closure persists.

Gold prices fell 0.4% to $4,517.37 per ounce as Middle East tensions fueled inflation concerns, prompting expectations central banks will maintain higher interest rates longer, pressuring the precious metal despite traditional hedge appeal.

Saxo Bank's commodity strategist argues oil has become markets' dominant macro driver, shaping inflation expectations, bond yields, and dollar strength across asset classes, while geopolitical supply risks and weak demand create price volatility without resolving Strait of Hormuz concerns.

European nations released fifty million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves, prompting crude oil prices to decline as increased supply entered the market during ongoing energy concerns.

Oil prices remained near two-week lows while diesel crack spreads hit record highs, reflecting growing refinery margins amid shifting global energy dynamics and market volatility.

Brent crude surged above $100 a barrel Wednesday as Iran and the U.S. intensified shipping attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, the first breach since July, threatening Middle East energy supplies and raising concerns about sustained regional conflict disrupting global oil trade.

US strikes on Iran and Israeli threats pushed oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising 0.16 percent to $95.78 a barrel, though Putin's peace signals on Ukraine limited gains by easing supply disruption concerns.

Gold prices fell 1.3% to $4,356 per ounce Tuesday as surging bond yields and stalled US-Iran talks dampened investor sentiment, though analysts remain bullish on longer-term prospects amid improving central bank demand and safe-haven appeal.

Oil prices rose after the US threatened Iran with a blockade and financial sanctions.

Money managers reduced bullish crude oil bets for a second consecutive week, cutting WTI net longs by 7,257 lots and Brent by 20,361 lots, signaling cautious sentiment despite ongoing geopolitical supply risks.

Gold fell over 2% on July 13, 2026, despite US-Iran escalation closing the Strait of Hormuz, as a stronger dollar and rising Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations from elevated oil prices outweighed traditional safe-haven demand.

Oil volatility surged above 50, signaling heightened commodity market uncertainty that could reshape gold and silver prices through inflation expectations, interest rates, and geopolitical risks rather than triggering immediate stock market panic.

China cut refining by a fifth and drew down stockpiles while increased US exports to global markets helped offset a 14 million barrel daily supply loss from Middle East conflict, causing crude prices to fall from $160 to $100-$110 per barrel despite unprecedented disruption.

Vessel attacks near the Strait of Hormuz drove oil prices up, with Brent crude gaining 1.24 percent to $72.88 and U.S. crude rising 1.04 percent to $69.26, reviving geopolitical concerns about energy shipping disruptions.

Oil prices slide as Trump talks up US-Iran progress

Oil prices rose nearly 5-10% weekly as Iran-U.S. tensions persisted, with Tehran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and threatening retaliation while Washington considered renewed military strikes, disrupting approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

The U.S.-Iran deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz but will not swiftly restore oil flows; Middle Eastern producers who shut 10 million barrels daily need months to ramp up wells to pre-closure levels, with Iraq potentially requiring a year.

OPEC+ plans to increase production by 188,000 barrels daily amid Iran conflict shutting the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say geopolitical constraints will prevent meaningful oil price relief as global supplies plummet.

Gold Falls on Firmer Dollar, U.S.-Iran Deal Uncertainty