Brent

Morning on the Commodity Markets: The Bulls Wake Up Before Everyone Else

Asian trading opened on Wednesday with an unexpected but entirely understandable surge. WTI ... crude oil futures for September delivery confidently crossed the $85-per-barrel mark, gaining almost a full percentage point. At the time the data was recorded, the price stood at $85.17—and this was only the beginning of a trading session that promised to be intense.

The highest level reached by a barrel was not included in the initial market report, but the fact that oil found support at $77.93 while resistance awaits at $85.74 says a great deal. A range of almost $8 is not merely volatility—it is the nervous twitch of a market trying to determine which way the geopolitical wind is blowing.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index edged slightly lower, slipping by a few hundredths of a percentage point to 100.97. This may seem insignificant, but for oil, which is priced in US dollars, even such a microscopic weakening of the American currency matters. It makes the commodity slightly more affordable for holders of other currencies, stimulating demand.

However, investors should not be misled by this modest correction in the dollar. The main story today is not about currency fluctuations, but about events in the Middle East and the mindset of traders who are frantically recalculating their risk exposure.

BZUSD ... , the global benchmark, is keeping pace with its American counterpart. September futures rose by 1.10% to $92.01 per barrel. The spread between the two benchmarks stands at $6.84, remaining within a relatively normal range. However, the fact that both grades are rising simultaneously indicates the global nature of the current rally.

This is not a local story about US oil inventories or wildfires in Canada. It is a story about global security, tankers passing...

Tuesday: Markets Recoup Their Losses

Tuesday 21.07.2026 became a day of recovery for Asian stock markets. After several days of volatility and selling pressure driven by geopolitical risks, investors returned to buying. The main catalysts behind the rebound were lower oil prices and hopes for a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East.

Wall Street ended Monday with moderate losses, but U.S. stock futures pointed to a stronger opening on Tuesday. The technology-heavy NASDAQ, which is particularly sensitive to shifts in investor sentiment, led the advance.

Japan was one of the main beneficiaries of the positive momentum across Asian markets. The ^N225 ... rose by more than 2% after the market was closed on Monday for a public holiday. Investors actively purchased technology stocks, while overall market sentiment remained positive.

However, South Korea’s KOSPI delivered perhaps the most impressive performance. The index rebounded by almost 4% after falling approximately 5% during the previous session. This is a classic example of a “dead cat bounce,” as investors return to oversold stocks, particularly in the technology sector.

Technology Sector Leads the Recovery

Technology companies were the primary drivers of growth across Asian markets. BC94.L ... Electronics shares surged by 6%, while SK Hynix gained 4.5%. This represented a powerful recovery following several days of declines, during which concerns about inflated valuations and geopolitical risks weighed heavily on the sector.

For investors, the rebound may indicate that the fundamental positions of these companies remain strong. Samsung recently forecast a nineteenfold increase in operating profit for the second quarter, and the markets appear ready to believe these projections. Like Samsung, SK Hynix is a major supplier of memory chips used in artificial intelligence applications, and demand for these products remains high.

However, the recovery of Asia’s technology sector is taking place against a backdrop of continued uncertainty....

Tuesday in the Commodity Market: A Modest Decline After a Strong Rally

Tuesday 21.07.2026 brought a pause to the oil market. September WTI ... crude oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell by 0.23% to $82.29 per barrel. The decline may appear insignificant, but it comes after several days of steady growth, during which oil reached new highs and broke through psychologically important levels. The market has taken a breather, and the main question now is whether this is a temporary correction or the beginning of a trend reversal.

There are reasons for caution. The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, which is still providing support for oil prices. However, after oil surged following reports of strikes against Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, many traders decided to take profits. This is normal market behavior: a correction usually follows a strong rally, especially when there are no new catalysts to sustain the upward momentum.

The current technical picture supports this view. Support is located at $77.93, while resistance stands at $84.59. The current price of $82.29 is closer to the upper boundary of this range but has not yet reached it. This means the market still has room to move in either direction, although sellers are currently slightly more active than buyers.

Interestingly, WTI is declining against the backdrop of a stronger US dollar. The US Dollar Index rose by 0.03% to 100.81. Although this is a small move, it is symbolically important and places additional pressure on oil prices. The dollar and oil traditionally have an inverse correlation, meaning that even minor changes in the value of the US currency can affect commodity markets.

Brent Falls More Sharply as the Spread Widens

While WTI declined, September BZUSD ... crude oil futures fell by...

Monday on the London Stock Exchange: An Anxious Start to the Week

The first trading day of the week began with a noticeable decline in the British market. The FTSE 100 had fallen by 0.61% by the middle of the trading session, reflecting a broader deterioration in sentiment across European markets. Investors are fleeing risk, and they have good reasons to do so.

The conflict in the Middle East has entered a new and more dangerous phase. For the ninth consecutive night, the US military has carried out strikes against Iranian targets. These are no longer isolated operations but a systematic effort to suppress Iran’s military capabilities. Tehran’s response is becoming increasingly aggressive and is spreading to neighbouring countries in the Persian Gulf.

Germany’s DAX lost 0.16%, while France’s CAC 40 declined by 0.05%. However, the British market proved to be the most vulnerable. The reason is the United Kingdom’s dependence on imported energy and the sensitivity of its economy to rising oil prices. As the market is currently demonstrating, oil prices are climbing rapidly.

The Pound Sterling: A Small Island of Stability

Against the backdrop of a falling stock market, the pound sterling has remained relatively resilient. The British currency rose by 0.08% to $1.3466. This modest but symbolic appreciation suggests that investors still have confidence in the British economy despite the external shocks.

The focus is now on the UK political landscape. Andy Burnham is expected to formally take office as prime minister on Monday, and his promise to give households “breathing space” from the rising cost of living has resonated with voters. However, the extent to which this promise can be implemented in practice remains an open question.

Burnham’s position on North Sea oil production is attracting particular attention. US President Donald Trump has already welcomed plans...

Monday in the Commodity Market: Oil Jumps 3%

The first day of the week began with a powerful surge in the oil market. Brent BZUSD ... crude futures jumped 3%, breaking through the psychologically important level of $90 per barrel and reaching $90.75. This was their highest level in more than five weeks. US West Texas Intermediate crude was not far behind, gaining 2.5% to reach $83.85 per barrel.

The reason for such a sharp move was not technical factors or inventory data, but the escalation of the military conflict between the United States and Iran, which entered a new and more dangerous phase over the weekend.

The conflict in the Middle East has already been underway for several weeks, but the events of the past weekend marked a turning point. The United States Central Command, or CENTCOM, confirmed that it carried out new strikes against Iranian targets on Sunday evening.

This was not simply another military operation. It was a response to an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan that killed at least two American service members and injured many others. For the United States, this represented the crossing of a red line, and the response came quickly.

The most alarming development, however, is not the individual strikes themselves, but their geographical scope and intensity. According to reports, the US military is attacking a broader range of targets inside Iran rather than limiting its operations to border areas. Iran, in turn, has intensified its attacks on neighbouring Gulf states.

The conflict is no longer localised and is beginning to spread across the entire region.

The Strait of Hormuz: A Vital Artery Under Threat

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the military confrontation. It is a strategically important waterway through which approximately 30% of the world’s...

Friday on the Taiwan Stock Exchange: A Decline of Just Hundredths of a Percent

Taiwan’s stock market ended Friday’s trading session with an almost imperceptible move lower. The Taiwan Weighted Index lost just 0.01%—such an insignificant amount that it could easily be dismissed as a rounding error, were it not for the drama concealed behind it. This microscopic decline masked major sectoral shifts, record-breaking rallies in some stocks, and plunges to historic lows in others. In other words, it was a day when the market as a whole went nowhere, even though almost everything imaginable was happening beneath the surface.

Trading presented a classic picture of opposing forces. Shares in the glass manufacturing and plastics sectors dragged the market lower, while other industries attempted to keep it afloat. The battle ultimately ended in a draw, with the index remaining virtually unchanged. Yet behind this statistical tie was genuine chaos, as some companies soared while others plunged into the abyss. That was perhaps the most interesting feature of the day’s trading session.

The Top Three Performers: Who Pulled Ahead?

Against the backdrop of overall index stagnation, three companies posted impressive gains, with all three rising by exactly 10%. This may not have been a simple coincidence. Such synchronized performance suggests that common market factors were at work, or that the stocks simply reached their daily price increase limits at the same time.

Lee Chi Enterprises, a manufacturer of bicycle components, gained 1.10 points to close at 12.10. This 10% increase pushed the shares to new levels. The company, which specializes in producing bicycle parts, may have benefited from growing interest in green mobility or from the announcement of new contracts.

Giant Manufacturing, the internationally renowned bicycle producer, delivered an even more impressive move. Its shares climbed 8 points to 88.00, also...

Friday’s Opening: Black Gold Is Back in Demand

Friday’s oil market opened with a confident move higher. August WTI crude oil futures WTI ... on the New York Mercantile Exchange gained nearly 1% and are trading at $79.68 per barrel. This is not merely a random price fluctuation. The rise is supported by several clear factors that are encouraging investors to regain confidence in the oil market.

Notably, the increase is taking place against the backdrop of a stable US dollar. The USD Index remained unchanged on Friday at 100.57. This means that currency movements are not putting pressure on oil, allowing the market to respond to other, more fundamental signals. At present, these signals suggest that demand for energy remains strong while supply is facing significant risks.

Let us examine what is driving prices higher and why BZUSD ... Brent crude, contrary to expectations, is moving lower.

Technical Outlook: The Bulls Advance

Technical indicators on Friday present a fairly optimistic picture for oil buyers. Support is located at $72.61. The price rebounded from this level some time ago and is now trading significantly above it. Resistance stands at $81.27, and breaking through this level will be the next major challenge for the bulls.

The current price of $79.68 is only around $1.50 below resistance. This creates an interesting situation: the market has approached an important threshold, and if buyers manage to overcome it, oil could receive a fresh upward impulse. Otherwise, a correction and another test of lower levels may follow.

The session high has not yet been updated, leaving room for further growth during the trading day. Traders are closely watching whether WTI can consolidate above $80—a psychologically important level that has acted as a significant barrier in recent weeks.

The Gap Between Brent and WTI: What Does the Spread...

Morning on the Commodities Front: Oil Starts the Day in Negative Territory

Oil futures opened Thursday’s Asian trading session with a small but telling decline. August-delivery WTI WTI ... crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell by 0.11% to $79.69 per barrel. The drop may appear insignificant—just eleven hundredths of a percent—but in commodity markets, even such modest movements are rarely accidental. Behind every price tick lies a complex combination of calculations, expectations, and an invisible struggle between buyers and sellers. The Asian session often sets the tone for the rest of the trading week.

It is particularly interesting that the decline is taking place against the backdrop of a stronger dollar, even though the increase is only symbolic. The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.03% and held at 100.30. This may seem insignificant, but because oil is priced in U.S. dollars, even such a microscopic increase can trigger profit-taking. The mechanism is straightforward: when the dollar appreciates, oil becomes more expensive for holders of other currencies, potentially reducing demand. This time, however, the situation is far more complex than a simple currency correlation.

The technical picture once again reminds us that the market is in a state of tense equilibrium. Support is located at $70.77 per barrel, providing a relatively wide downside buffer and leaving room for manoeuvre. Resistance is significantly higher at $81.27. The price is currently hovering almost midway between these two levels, although it remains closer to the upper boundary. This is an important signal: sellers are not yet prepared to send oil into a deep decline, but buyers are no longer showing the same level of aggression as before.

Brent and WTI: Twin Brothers with Different Personalities

September-delivery Brent crude, traded on ICE, also moved into negative territory, falling slightly more sharply by 0.21% to...

Introduction: Tuesday Brings Another Wave of Growth

Asian trading on Tuesday was marked by another surge in oil prices. August West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose by 2.07%, reaching $79.76 per barrel. Brent crude gained 1.66%, settling at $84.68 per barrel. This continued the rally that began last week, when prices jumped by more than 3% in a single day amid an escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran.

What is currently driving the market? Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, concerns about supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, and a weaker US dollar are all working in favor of oil bulls. However, there are also reasons for caution: technical levels indicate that oil has approached a resistance zone, and a breakout above $80 per barrel could open the way to new highs.

In this article, we will examine the reasons behind the current rally, key technical levels, and the outlook for the oil market in the coming days.

Geopolitical Factors: Iran Returns to the Center of Attention

Conflict Escalation and Threats to the Strait of Hormuz

The renewed military conflict between the United States and Iran continues to dominate the oil market. Last week, Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after a commercial vessel was attacked. Although the United States disputed this statement, claiming that shipping routes remained open under the protection of the US Armed Forces, markets had already begun pricing in the risk of serious supply disruptions.

On Tuesday, President Trump said that the United States would restore its naval blockade of Iran and ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remained open. On the one hand, this statement demonstrates US determination. On the other hand, it highlights the fragility of the situation. Any further escalation could lead to actual...

Introduction: The Red Line Has Been Crossed

Monday began with an explosion in the oil markets—literally. Iran expanded its missile and drone attacks against Persian Gulf countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and then announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged by more than three percent within hours. Brent futures climbed to $78.46 per barrel, while WTI rose to $73.83.

This is not simply another geopolitical escalation. It is a strike at the very heart of the global energy system. The Strait of Hormuz is more than just a maritime route. It is an artery through which the lifeblood of the modern economy flows. Around twenty percent of all the oil consumed worldwide passes through it. Now, according to Tehran, this channel has been closed.

What is behind this decision? Who attacked the commercial vessel? Most importantly, how long will this crisis last, and what will it mean for the global economy? In this article, we examine every aspect of a situation that transformed the oil market in a single morning and forced traders around the world to recalculate their models.

Escalation: How the Strait Came to Be Closed

From Ceasefire to War in a Matter of Days

The history of this conflict is a classic example of how fragile peace can collapse in an instant. Just a week ago, it appeared that diplomatic efforts to restore the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran were producing results. Negotiations were underway, mediators were working, and both sides were avoiding drastic moves.

Then everything changed. Trump announced the end of the ceasefire and intensified strikes against Iranian facilities. Tehran, which had exercised restraint for a long time, responded. Its response proved far more severe than Washington had expected. Missile attacks against Qatar and...