Daily Market Summary – Mar 18th Fed Holds Rates Amid Inflation and War The Federal Reserve opted to maintain interest rates unchanged amid escalating economic uncertainties fueled by the intensifying Iran war, projecting just one rate cut later this year or into 2026 while revising upward its forecasts for economic growth and inflation. This decision came as US producer prices surged 3.4% in February, the hottest wholesale inflation reading in a year and well above expectations, driven by...
1 day ago • 4 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 17th Iran War Energy Disruptions The escalating Iran war has profoundly disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices surging above $100 per barrel before dipping below that level amid threats to the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on UAE gas fields. Historic supply interruptions threaten to reshape energy supply chains, spike shipping costs, and unleash volatility across commodities, while diesel prices surpassed $5 per gallon for the first time since 2022,...
3 days ago • 4 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 16th Middle East Oil Surge Escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the protracted US-Iran conflict entering its third week, have propelled oil prices beyond $105 per barrel, with Brent crude hovering near that level after Iranian attacks on additional Gulf targets and strikes on a key UAE port. Iran's seizure of a gatekeeper role over the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most expensive waterway due to surged risk premiums, has paralyzed maritime traffic...
4 days ago • 5 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 15th Oil surge from Iran conflict Escalating tensions from the Iran conflict have sent oil prices surging toward $100 per barrel, severely threatening global energy supplies and economic stability. Attacks on critical infrastructure like Iran's Kharg oil terminal and risks to the Strait of Hormuz underscore potential supply shocks that futures markets appear to underestimate, priming markets for heightened volatility. Gulf economies face their worst slump since the...
5 days ago • 4 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 14th Middle East Oil Disruptions Escalating military actions in the Middle East severely disrupted global oil supplies when strikes targeted Iran's Kharg Oil Hub, a key export terminal, and a strike hit the country's main oil hub, raising fears of broader supply shortages. President Trump urged nations to deploy warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil shipments, amid ongoing regional conflicts that threaten to erase economic gains from tax...
6 days ago • 4 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 13th Oil Shock from Hormuz Closure The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted 20% of global oil flows, triggering massive supply shocks that sent Brent crude prices surging above $100 per barrel for the first time in years. Iran's vow to maintain the blockade in retaliation against impending U.S. strikes, coupled with proxy attacks on shipping, has amplified fears of prolonged energy shortages, devastating fertilizer supplies critical for U.S. spring...
7 days ago • 3 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 12th Iran war oil crisis The escalating war in Iran has triggered the most severe oil supply disruption in history, according to the International Energy Agency, surpassing even the 1970s crisis in scale and impact. Iranian attacks on shipping routes, including tankers off the Iraqi coast and in the Gulf, have intensified fears over the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20% of global oil shipments, with the new Supreme Leader vowing to keep it closed. This has...
8 days ago • 3 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 11th Iran Conflict Disrupts Oil Escalating conflict with Iran severely disrupted global oil supplies as the nation slashed exports, prompting urgent international coordination to secure shipping lanes amid risks of widespread shortages and price spikes. Tankers avoided key Emirati ports and the Strait of Hormuz faced threats from laid mines and attacks on vessels, heightening fears over this chokepoint handling 20% of world oil trade. Diesel markets suffered...
9 days ago • 3 min read
Daily Market Summary – Mar 10th Energy market shocks The escalating conflict in Iran delivered profound shocks to global energy markets, with Saudi Aramco issuing stark warnings of catastrophic consequences if shipping fails to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint handling 20% of the world's oil supply. Iran threatened to halt all oil exports from the Middle East until U.S. and Israeli attacks cease, intensifying fears of widespread supply disruptions. Gulf oil producers...
10 days ago • 4 min read